We all know the scenario. You’re heading to work and making good time until you get stuck behind a slow driver. Being forced to crawl behind their car while grinding your teeth in frustration makes for a bad start to the day, but it’s important to handle the situation well so that you feel in control and stay safe. Here are our tips for handling slow drivers in College Park, MD.
Stay Calm
Whenever you have to deal with frustrating situations on the road, it helps to remember that someone else’s poor decisions don’t have to be your drama. If you find your anger rising, create an environment where it’s easier to stay calm, perhaps by turning up the air conditioning so that you literally feel cooler, or by switching off the radio so that you don’t have to deal with the extra stimulation.
Breathe deeply and consciously relax your body. Taking steps to keep your cool lets you stay in control of the situation and make rational decisions.
Avoid Aggression
It’s tempting to express your annoyance at the driver in front, perhaps by tailgating them or leaning on the horn. However, if the driver is slow because they’re distracted, anxious, unsure, or dealing with a problem, this will likely only make the situation worse. If flustered, they’re unlikely to speed up, but they’re more likely to make mistakes and increase the hazard.
While it isn’t sensible to upset, distract, or threaten a slow driver, it’s perfectly acceptable to use signals to make them aware of you. Flashing your lights or indicating will let the other driver know that you’d like to get past. If they’re accommodating, a friendly smile or wave should help diffuse tension and has the added bonus of helping you to feel calmer, as well.
Overtake Safely
If you’re in a rush, you might dash to overtake a slow car at the first opportunity, but don’t lose your focus on road safety. Be sure to watch for a suitable space, check for hazards, indicate, and maneuver safely. Never use the right lane to go past a slow-moving vehicle, and leave plenty of space as you pull in front of them.
Reflect Afterwards
It’s unlawful to “impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic” in Maryland, so the driver holding you up could be acting illegally. If you believe that the driver’s speed was deliberate or a result of their negligence, perhaps because they were texting or driving an unsafe vehicle, then you have the option of reporting them to the local authorities when you reach your destination.
As irritating as it is when an inconsiderate driver ruins your time behind the wheel, it’s still better than an accident, so aim to be the responsible, disciplined person in the scenario. And for a more positive motoring experience, remember that you can always visit us at DARCARS Nissan of College Park, where our friendly, speedy service and great deals will help put a smile back on your face.
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