Road Ragin’

Road Ragin’

WHEN BEHIND THE WHEEL OF A MOTOR VEHICLE, PEOPLE sometimes turn into the worst versions of themselves. Perfectly reasonable, sweet people—good neighbors, favorite aunts, your brother-in-law—are unfortunately not immune to this phenomenon. Perhaps you’ve even experienced it yourself? A sudden, unexpected overreaction to another driver’s small slight is perceived as a huge, intentional, and uncalled for assault on you, your car, your entire day, and your personal happiness. Unreasonable? Yes. But as cyclists on the road, we’re more vulnerable in these kinds of confrontations. Sometimes we can even incite them with our own less-than-courteous behavior while on the road.

The best policy is that if an accident was avoided, just practice patience and let it go. You may be tempted to exchange words with the driver, which is okay as long as they seem willing to connect and you’re approaching them calmly, with respect and consideration (even if you don’t think they deserve it), to ask them to be more careful or courteous. Some great conversations have started this way—as long as they are exactly that. Approaching anyone—a vehicle, pedestrian, or other cyclist—in anger, frustration, or fear will never end well. Even if you are calm, cool, collected, and open, it can still sometimes end badly. Remember that drivers with road rage are at the present moment the worst versions of themselves, so think twice about approaching them at all.

If a driver is using his vehicle to threaten you, injure you, force you off the road, or is throwing objects at you (yes, these all rarely but occasionally happen), call 911 and report him as driving drunk and/or menacing. Most police want these kinds of drivers off the street as much as you do, and it’s possible that kind of erratic or violent driving is because the driver is intoxicated or otherwise in a state where he shouldn’t be behind the wheel. By reporting the make, model, and hopefully license plate of these drivers, you’re doing your part to make the road safer for everyone.