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Commuting 101: How to react to aggressive or angry drivers
by Tim GrahlWhen a driver becomes angry or aggressive during your commute you may feel the need to react in some way, but keep in mind that this is often what they are hoping for. Just like the bully on the playground, they will only pick on people that react in some way.
The best thing to do is hold you line and do your best to ignore the driver. If their actions are enough to make you feel physically threatened, you can get their license plate and report them to the authorities. While this may not have a huge impact, it’s the best way to handle the situation.
At all times remember you are the slowest and most vulnerable vehicle on the road and, while we have a right to the pavement, we must keep a defensive mindset and do our best not to provoke anger even when we are in the right.
Oh, I have no doubt that some of the aggression comes from drivers having bad experiences with cyclists who do not follow the rules of the road. When I drive there’s been a few times when I’ve wanted to lean out the window and yell at a cyclist who is riding like they have a death wish, causing all sorts of trouble for drivers. Drivers see that and assume we all bike that way.
“driver inattention is more prevalent in depressed areas”
har har har… if you even have this thought then you’re not as liberal as you thought you were
(but I know what you mean)
Keeping your cool at times such as this is definitely easier said than done. But your suggestions are so true and I will try to keep it in mind given the same situation. Thanks. Essay and Essay Writers
I agree with the author that the ideal response involves picturing what the driver expects and doing something else (e.g. holding your line and ignoring them). For instance, I have worked on training myself to wave and say “thanks!” in response to comments such as “get a car!” I figure this won’t make them want to drive their car into me but will frustrate their attempt to belittle or otherwise bring me down a notch. If my acting skills are good enough, they will instead think I mistook their unkind words for some sort of encouragement! It also cures any possible anger on my part by seeing the look on their faces or thinking about their confusion or frustration about how their plan backfired.
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It’s not really about the road rage for me . It’s the car load of teenagers (gangs) who get a thrill chucking beer bottles at your head, or bashing you from behind with a bat, or popping paintballs or even worse, bullets.I have 4 blocks on my route to get through, at night, on my commute, and every night might be my last. I’m thinking of turning off my lights, but the road is usually full of glass.
@Rob: That sounds really really bad! I ride through some skeevy areas but never have any problems like that, in fact, none at all. I’ve even people help me with flats.
Any point involving the police in your area? Short of that, sounds like you need more than Kevlar tires…
Can you take a different route? Adding I few miles may add years to your life, & I am not referring to the fitness benefits!
erm… it sounds like it’s not the bike riding, per se, that’s the dangerous element in this equation.
I’ve tried many different things in these situations. I’ve gotten into arguments with drivers, had them try to hit me, run me off the road, yell & scream. My newest idea is to get an irate driver who stops to calm down and think. It’s really quite hard to do and presents an interesting challenge.
The thing is, yelling at them just doesn’t work. Banging on their car doesn’t work. If they stop they want to yell at someone and you just happen to present an opportunity for that outlet. The fact is they’re mad at something else in their life and you just happen to be in their way.
Try this and see what happens… “Hi I’m Johnny, sorry you are upset.” They will probably keep yelling and drive off once they see you are not going to engage with them.