Turn on your radio on a Friday evening during rush hour in Los Angeles and you just might hear local classical music station KUSC’s anti-road rage playlist. This is one way that the city is trying to combat the growing road rage problem that they are facing.
Reports of angry, aggressive driving have gone up locally by 41% in 2022. During the first four months of the year, there were a reported 280 incidents of road rage on the streets of L.A. Even more alarming is that many of these incidents involved guns. With these kinds of statistics, it seems no one is safe from road rage.
Staying safe on the road
With so many angry drivers on the road, how can you stay safe while driving? While there’s no fool-proof answer to that question, here are some tips to help combat road rage:
- Do not engage with an angry driver! If the car behind you is honking and flashing its lights aggressively, move out of their way at your first opportunity.
- Do not respond with aggression. If someone makes an inappropriate gesture toward you, don’t reciprocate.
- Be aware of the driver in front of you who may try to brake-check you.
- If another driver causes you to feel unsafe, pull over to the side of the road and call 9-1-1.
Sometimes, road rage can lead to accidents. If you or a loved one are injured by an aggressive driver take the following steps:
- Call 9-1-1 and wait for help to arrive.
- Do not engage with the other driver, especially if they try to get you to exit your vehicle. This could escalate the situation.
- Allow the medics to check you out and transport you to the hospital, if necessary.
Once you have received treatment for your injuries, seek assistance from a legal guide who can help you get compensation for your medical bills and damages.
