Thread: Road Rage in Oz
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Old May 12, 2008 | 04:53 PM
  #27 (permalink)  
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OzCrossfire
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 92
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From: Sydney Australia
Default Re: Road Rage in Oz

I found this which is quite good advice for Road Rage
Things to consider
  • If you make a mistake driving, give a 'sorry' wave. If someone else does it, give them a chance to give you a wave.
  • Count to ten slowly and keep breathing deeply.
  • Sometimes people get in their car and drive when they are already angry, sad, drunk, distracted or running late. Their anger may not be due to anything you have done.
  • Stay in your car if you are being harassed by someone and wait for help.
  • If someone is threatening violence toward you, try and attract attention so that someone can get help.
  • If you are being followed (by any kind of vehicle) and you feel scared or afraid, drive to the nearest service station that is open.
  • If someone is showing "road rage" toward you, try not to take it personally. If you get angry back at them, then you are giving them the reaction they are after. Try to remember how unnecessary their behaviour is and laugh on the inside.
  • Write down the registration number of the vehicle that the person is in.
  • Keep to busy roads rather than back streets, so that you can easily get to a shop, or somewhere where you can get help.
Tailgating
  • Don't feel pressured to speed if someone is 'tailgating' you (driving too close behind your car). If you speed, you are at greater risk of an accident, and you may become more stressed.
  • If the person tailgating you persists, slow down gradually (use your indicator to show what you are doing) and pull off the road to let him pass.
  • If the other car or truck stops too, drive on again at a safe pace until you reach a town or garage where you can stop.
  • Take the registration number of the other car or truck and report it to the police.
How to prevent your own road rage

Remember that getting angry at someone may make you feel worse than you do already.
  • Don't get into your car in an emotional state (angry, sad, aggressive, distracted) that may affect your driving or patience with other people.
  • Remember that it is not someone else's fault that you are running late.
  • Consider how you may feel after you calm down - you may feel embarrassed at over-reacting the way you did.
  • Be aware of the consequences for the person you harass. They may feel upset, frightened, and unsure about driving alone. There may even be small children in the car who do not understand what is going on.
  • Remember that someone can take your registration number and report the incident to the Police.
 
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