If You Are Intimidated by Another Driver
I enjoyed an article written on Driver’s Prep by Mark Heart: What You Must Do After a Car Accident.
Most of the article discusses your responsibilities after a crash, regardless of whether you are at fault. One important point is that you should always stop at the scene.
However, it fails to mention how a crash can affect your state of mind—and how it affects other drivers. A driver’s attitude and behavior can be adversely impacted by the situation. It’s not uncommon to feel intimidated by a stressed driver who believes they didn’t do anything wrong. This is a form of road bullying that can become very ugly.
What Do You Do if the Situation Escalates?
Intimidation by other drivers is real. Remaining calm and asking for the other driver’s license, registration, and insurance can be challenging when harsh words fill the air. Whether you admit it or not, an angry driver can get to you. In the worst cases, you may be threatened.
So, what do you do? After experiencing this situation, an officer gave me the following advice:
Act quickly and calmly. You should not engage in further arguments with the other driver. Don’t discuss who is at fault and don’t admit to any wrongdoing. Return to your vehicle and lock the doors. Make a note of the make and model of the other car. Use your cell phone camera, if needed. Get the license plate number. Ignore the other driver and avoid making eye contact.
Then, call 911 and describe the situation. If you can still drive your vehicle, tell the dispatcher that you want to move one block away from the scene. Police will be informed, and in most situations, more than one officer will arrive to assist you.
Depending on the actions or threats made by the other driver, they may face charges. It helps to write down what was said and how the other driver acted, in case you must appear in court. If you are able to, use the video or audio recording function on your cell phone.
Photo copyright: Cathy Yeulet
