How should you defuse a potential road rage situation?

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mithrandir2001

Diamond Member
May 1, 2001
6,545
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This morning on my way to work I switched lanes and unintentionally cut off another driver big time. Instead of doing the full "look all around" I had quickly glanced over to my side, didn't see anything, moved over and "oh crap!" I came within inches of sliding into this car in my blind spot. They had to swerve to avoid me.

It was accidental on my part - I didn't see the guy - but it would have been my fault if an accident would have occurred.

Understandably, the guy got upset. Fortunately for me he didn't fall into a rage but simply raised his hands over his head for about 15 seconds with a look of disbelief on his face conveying to me "What the FREAK was that???"

I didn't know how to respond so I acted like nothing happened and just continued to drive. Nothing came of it and that was that.

How do you convey something like "ooops, my bad"? I really feel bad because I can't stand poor driving. I had nothing against the other driver but we know that's not how we often react to things like this. Someone cutting you off feel like an invasion of space and it can figuratively hurt.
 
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Allanv

Senior member
May 29, 2001
905
0
0
Normally i just put my hand up palm facing them and mouth sorry, then continue on my way
 
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skace

Lifer
Jan 23, 2001
14,488
7
81
I don't think you can properly convey your apologies. Just realize that much worse could have happened and be more careful checking your blind spots during lane changes.
 
meltdown75

meltdown75

Lifer
Nov 17, 2004
37,548
7
81
get out a peice of paper and write "SORRY I SUCK AT DRIVING" on it and show it to him.

oops you just rear ended someone. :p
 
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Luthien

Golden Member
Feb 1, 2004
1,721
0
0
Maybe everyone should get electronic message boards attached to their cars that is voice operated and we could all text message each other as we drive around.
 
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Zysoclaplem

Diamond Member
Sep 26, 2003
8,799
0
0
Stop the car, grab your gun from your glove compartment, get out of the car, hold the gun out, and give the gun to him as a way of apologizing.
 
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b0mbrman

Lifer
Jun 1, 2001
29,470
1
81
Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire
Originally posted by: skace
I don't think you can properly convey your apologies.
Click to expand...

Bingo. Just look meek and accept that you're an idiot. :p

- M4H
Click to expand...

Exactly. You can only make it worse...

If anything, slow down so that (s)he gets well ahead of you so they can't see your face and get even angrier
 
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b0mbrman

Lifer
Jun 1, 2001
29,470
1
81
Originally posted by: I Saw OJ
You could do the one hand up, head down "my bad" move
Click to expand...

You mean the let-go-of-the-steering-wheel and take-your-eyes-off-the-road move? :D
 
lozina

lozina

Lifer
Sep 10, 2001
11,711
8
81
The best is to just moon them. They will be so impressed with your ability to drop your pants and position your ass in the window while still driving that they will forget all about the way you cut them off.
 
allisolm

allisolm

Elite Member
Administrator
Jan 2, 2001
25,315
4,983
136
Make some expression of the fact that you know you did a bad thing. They'll understand almost any grimace, gesture, etc. that indicates you realize what you did. That's all most folks want and, at least for me, it instantly defuses the situation. I think "okay, you're driving like an idiot, but hopefully it was a momentary lapse and at least you are aware." It's much worse when the driver proceeds blithely on his way with no indication that anything untoward has even happened.
 
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mithrandir2001

Diamond Member
May 1, 2001
6,545
1
0
I did feel like it was "wrong" to act like nothing happened but (a) it is hard to see the facial expressions of a driver in front of you through their rear view mirror, especially if they are offering the "oops" kind of look (subtle) rather than a "dammit, I'm steaming mad!" look and (b) I could have done some kind of hand gesture or whatever but we were in the process of exiting the highway, with a 90 degree turn coming up, deceleration, etc so I didn't want to take my attention of the task of driving.

Bah, just a sucky situation, live and learn.
 
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zebano

Diamond Member
Jun 15, 2005
4,042
0
0
Originally posted by: Luthien
Maybe everyone should get electronic message boards attached to their cars that is voice operated and we could all text message each other as we drive around.
Click to expand...

I have so wanted to do that.
 
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Viperoni

Lifer
Jan 4, 2000
11,084
1
71
Originally posted by: Zysoclaplem
Stop the car, grab your gun from your glove compartment, get out of the car, hold the gun out, and give the gun to him as a way of apologizing.
Click to expand...

haha :D
 
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Double Trouble

Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
9,270
103
106
I've always thought there needs to be some sort of universal "oops, my bad" gesture, just like there's a universal gesture of disapproval. We just need to come up with a gesture that can't be mistaken for something rude, and have the media help to publicize the gesture and it's meaning.

No matter who's driving, there are just certain times when you inadvertently do something inconsiderate or worse. For those times, the "oops, my bad, sorry" sign could help avoid road rage incidents.

Perhaps the "peace" sign could be used.
 
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JDMnAR1

Lifer
May 12, 2003
11,984
1
0
You aren't by some chance the idiot in the teal colored Mitsubishi who cut me off this morning, are you? :|
 
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