Avoid the rage
The heat is up, and so is the anger.
It is difficult to read the news or watch a social media feed without seeing some type of road rage incident in the United States. Most often, these road rage incidents end in some form of violence: injury or death. In the aftermath of violence, there are inevitable consequences.
As discussed frequently in this column, random violence is not targeted, it is not planned, and it is purely random and often avoidable. That’s right: avoidable.
There are many reasons why these incidents are not avoided, but let’s focus on some of the most prevalent: lack of awareness and the inability to check the ego.
Let’s start with some easy questions:
• Would you know what to do if confronted in traffic?
• Would you know what signs to look for before an impending incident?
• Have you equipped your vehicle properly to assist you in navigating these situations safely?
As with all safety-related matters, avoiding road rage starts with awareness and preparation.
Basic steps: Lock the doors, put your seat belt on and put the phone away. Focus on driving.
Prior to departure, it is favorable to review the vehicle and its various settings. If your vehicle is equipped with the automatic unlock setting when the car is placed in “Park,” carefully consider this feature. If a road rage incident happens and you place the vehicle in “Park” and the doors automatically unlock, it is quite easy for the angry driver to open the door and access you. This is unfavorable.
When driving, the lanes are numbered from left to right: 1, 2, 3 and so on. It is favorable to think about using the No. 1 or No. 3 lane (if on a three-lane road like 278), as those lanes provide an ability to drive away if confronted. If choosing the No. 2 lane, it is quite possible the vehicle can be blocked in by other cars. This increases the concern for your safety because it limits your options.
Additionally, it is a great idea to leave space between your car and the driver in front of you. The general recommendation is to allow enough room so you can see the rear tires of the vehicle in front of you, thus leaving room to maneuver around stopped traffic and escape if confronted.
Some behavior to look for from an angry driver prior to a road rage incident includes speeding, reckless driving, swerving, incessant use of the horn, flashing lights, a driver and/or passenger gesturing in your direction and this author’s least favorite: the one-finger salute.
Once observed, the best thing to do is check your ego and not engage. Move away from the problem driver. Some action items to consider: Make a U-turn, turn left or right, or, if being followed aggressively, drive directly to the nearest police or fire station while dialing 911.
Remember: Everything up to that point was a task. The mission is your safety.
James Hamilton is a nationally recognized security expert with more than 34 years of protection experience. He is a former FBI Special Agent and created the close protection training for the FBI. He is the founder of the Hamilton Security Group and can be contacted at: www.hamiltonsecuritygroup.com.
