Before You Get Behind The Wheel
￭ Don’t rush. Give yourself time to get where you’re going; you’re less likely to become impatient and take unnecessary risks.
￭ Cool off. If you’re upset, take time to calm down.
What To Remember When Driving
￭ Give other drivers a break. If someone is driving slowly, keep in mind they might be lost.
￭ Use hand gestures wisely. Keep gestures positive—say, waving to a driver who lets you in when merging.
￭ Don’t tailgate. Always keep a safe distance from the car in front, no matter how slowly they might be driving.
￭ Lay off the horn. Honking out of frustration won’t solve any problems; it will just increase the stress level for everyone on the road.
￭ Don’t stop to confront another driver. Stopping could lead to a dangerous situation for everyone.
If Another Driver Acts Aggressively
￭ Stay away. Safely change lanes, gradually slow down or even exit the highway to keep a safe distance from the aggressive driver.
￭ Don’t reciprocate. Ignore the temptation to respond to the other driver; it could cause the situation to escalate. Don’t make eye contact.
￭ Don’t stop. Stopping could lead to a person-to-person confrontation, which could be dangerous.
￭ Watch your back. If you’re worried that the other driver is following you, keep your doors locked and drive to the nearest police station.
Taking a defensive driving course could help you stay safer on the road; it could also qualify you for a discount on car insurance. Search for a course near you at geico.com