In 2015, a woman in Spartanburg, South Carolina was arrested for aggressive driving. Cynthia Keith had fired several shots into another vehicle on Highway 221 near a Bojangles. She confessed to the incident after being pulled over at Reidville Road. She was charged with first degree assault and battery along with discharging a weapon into an occupied vehicle.
Aggressive driving, otherwise known as road rage, has become a bigger issue in the last few years. There are more and more cases just like this one that are being reported in the news. There are certain things you can do as a defensive driver to prevent a road rage incident yourself. Let’s take a look at these tips, shall we?
1. Pull over to a safe place.
If you notice someone behind you driving erratically or even flashing their headlights at you, it is safest to pull over to the side of the road. Make sure you are pulling over to a safe place so you won’t be hit by another driver as they pass you. Do not slow down yourself or even speed up to accommodate their speed.
Chances are, they feel you have wronged them on the road at some point. They may not be happy after you try accommodating their speed. Because of this danger to your life, it is best to pull over to the side of the road or turn onto another road entirely. This way, the angry driver can pass you and go on their way.
2. Do not cut someone off.
When changing lanes, you want to make sure there isn’t anyone in your blind spot. You want to make sure the way is completely clear when changing lanes. That way, you can effectively ensure you don’t cut someone off. If you do cut them off, there is a good chance they will pass you to get in front of you.
You also run the risk of them becoming angry and initiating a road rage incident. It is wise to pull over to the side of the road if this occurs so that you are safe. If you do pull over, make sure you are doing so in a safe manner.
3. Use your turn signals.
When changing lanes or even pulling over to the side of the road, it is always a good idea to use your turn signals. This is also true when turning from one road onto another one at any point while driving. If you are pulling over to the side of the road, it is a good idea as well to put on your hazard lights.
That way, people can see you if the sun has set or their sight is impaired in another way. The earlier you turn on the signal, the more likely someone behind you will see the signal. This can prevent a road rage incident if someone didn’t see the signal before you started to put on your brakes.
Injured? Contact Ricci Law Firm Injury Lawyers, P.A.
If you were involved in an auto accident that was caused by an aggressive driver, you may be eligible for compensation. Contact a Greenville car accident attorney at our office today for a free consultation. We would be more than happy to meet with you and discuss your options for filing a claim or lawsuit for compensation.
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