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How to Handle Road Rage Safely

What to Do and What to Avoid

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By Susan Meyer Info icon
Updated May 21, 2025
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Susan Meyer

Senior Editorial Manager

Susan is a licensed insurance agent and has worked as a writer and editor for over 10 years across a number of industries. She has worked at The Zebr…

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  • Licensed Insurance Agent — Property and Casualty
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Beth Swanson

Insurance Analyst

Beth joined The Zebra in 2022 as an Associate Content Strategist. A licensed insurance agent, she specializes in creating clear, accessible content t…

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  • Licensed Insurance Agent — Property and Casualty
  • Associate in Insurance
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  1. Recognizing road rage
  2. What to do
  3. What not to do
  4. Tips to avoiding road rage
  5. Car insurance concerns

Road Rage Is Real — How You Respond Can Save Lives

You merge onto the freeway on your morning commute. The driver behind you feels like you cut them off and starts tailgating you and aggressively honking. What do you do next?

Defined as aggressive or angry behavior exhibited by drivers, road rage can escalate quickly and lead to dangerous or even deadly situations. Road rage contributes to injuries, accidents, and even deaths, and it’s a growing concern on the road. In the first 10 months of 2024, according to GVA data, 116 people were killed in road rage incidents involving guns this year, versus 109 through the first 10 months of 2023. 

Whether you're the target of another driver's frustration or struggling to keep your own temper in check, knowing how to respond can keep you — and others — safe.

Recognizing Road Rage: What It Looks Like

Road rage can take many forms, including:

  • Tailgating
  • Yelling or obscene gestures
  • Deliberate blocking or cutting off
  • Sudden braking or aggressive acceleration
  • Following another vehicle closely or attempting to intimidate
  • Exiting a vehicle to confront another driver
  • Verbal threats
  • Threats with a weapon

Obviously, some of these are more dangerous than others, but all can be scary when encountered on the road. Being able to recognize the signs early is key to de-escalating or avoiding conflict altogether.

What to Do If You’re Targeted by an Aggressive Driver

When another driver is acting erratically or aggressively, your primary goal is de-escalation and safety. Here’s how to handle it:

1. Stay Calm and Avoid Engagement

  • Do not make eye contact or respond with gestures or words.

  • Keep your emotions in check — responding in kind can escalate the situation.

2. Give Them Space

  • Slow down or change lanes to allow them to pass.

  • Do not tailgate, brake-check or block their path — these behaviors can provoke retaliation.
  • If you truly feel unsafe, consider exiting the freeway or pulling over into a parking lot, ideally with other people around.

3. Do Not Go Home

  • If you’re being followed, drive to a public place like a police station, gas station or shopping center.

  • Avoid stopping in isolated areas or leading the aggressor to your home.

4. Document If Necessary

  • If you’re able to do so safely, note their license plate and vehicle description.

  • Use a dash cam if available — it can provide helpful evidence if the situation escalates.

5. Call for Help

  • If you feel threatened, call 911 and follow all directions from authorities.

What Not to Do

While your instincts may tell you to stand your ground, retaliating or confronting another driver is never worth the risk.

  • Do not get out of your car.

  • Do not engage in shouting matches or retaliatory driving.

  • Do not attempt to follow or confront the other driver.

Escalation can lead to physical altercations, property damage or even legal consequences.

Tips to Avoid Becoming a Victim — or Perpetrator — of Road Rage

While you can't control what other people do, you can help avoid causing and esclating tensions while out on the road. This can go a long way to avoiding road rage. 

1. Leave Early and Allow Extra Time

Rushing to get somewhere is a major trigger for stress and aggressive driving. Give yourself a time buffer.

2. Practice Defensive Driving

Stay in your lane, use turn signals and maintain a safe following distance. Don’t tailgate slower drivers. Avoid behaviors that might be seen as rude or erratic.

3. Keep Your Emotions in Check

If someone cuts you off or drives poorly, take a deep breath and let it go. It’s not personal — and not worth your safety.

4. Create a Calm Driving Environment

Play soothing music, avoid multitasking (like eating or talking on the phone) and maintain a comfortable cabin temperature.

5. Understand That You Can’t Control Others

You can only control your own reactions. Focus on your own behavior, and let aggressive drivers move on without feeding their rage.

Road Rage and Car Insurance

In addition to just keeping yourself safe, another reason to avoid engaging with road rage is that it is frequently listed as an exception on many auto insurance policies. That’s because damage and liability that stems from aggressive driving isn’t considered an accident. If your aggressive driving contributed to or escalated the altercation, your insurance company may deny coverage. 

That said, if your car is attacked or vandalized because someone is angry with you, that will likely be covered if you carry comprehensive coverage. Comprehensive or full coverage protects you against a number of perils on and off the road, including theft and vandalism. 

Wrapping up

Road rage is not just a frustrating part of driving — it’s a real threat to safety on the road. By staying calm, avoiding engagement and driving defensively, you can protect yourself and others. And by managing your own stress behind the wheel, you help create a more respectful and safer driving environment for everyone.

Drive safe — and stay cool.