Whether it’s a honeymoon road trip or a ride through breathtaking scenery in your dream destination, it’s vital to protect you and your spouse from any aggressive drivers. Unfortunately, road rage is a common occurrence, so you’ll have to take as many precautions as you can to ensure that any hostile encounters you may face on your honeymoon are handled as swiftly and safely as possible. Here are some ways to make any encounters with aggressive drivers as safe as possible.
Keeping Calm
It’s natural to react defensively when a driver displays aggression toward you but try your best to remain neutral. Speeding up or deliberately slowing down only antagonizes the other driver, and it puts you and your spouse at-risk. Although an aggressive driver is unsettling, make sure that your main focus stays on the road to avoid an accident. If you’re the passenger, make sure that you do not shout or yell any obscenities. Panicking only distracts the driver so just speak calmly, and try to help them relax.
Avoiding Engagement
If at all possible, it’s recommended that you should not engage with aggressive drivers. This includes shouting obscenities, using aggressive gestures, honking the horn, or even making eye contact. The best thing you can do is either allow the driver to pass or get out of their way as soon as you are able to safely. Do not cut off other drivers or merge into another lane without warning; even if the other driver is laying on the horn, the best thing you can do is stay calm and focus on getting to safety.
Understand the Rules of the Road
If you’re driving in a foreign country, make sure that you conduct research ahead of time and understand how driving behaviors differ from the United States. Avoid driving in heavily congested areas if the layout is different. People may become frustrated and begin to behave aggressively if you fail to drive according to the norm, so becoming familiar with the laws and customs is the best way to prepare yourself and avoid any unnecessary conflicts. The last thing you want is to get into an accident in a foreign country. Aside from having to cover damages to a rental vehicle, you may also face a language barrier that makes resolving the accident more stressful.
Being faced with an aggressive driver is frightening, especially when the love of your life is in the passenger’s seat. But remember that you have no control over their actions, only your own. With this in mind, you can do your best to remain calm and in control.