What To Do When You See a Dangerous Driver

The car ahead drifts across the center line.

A few seconds later, it jerks back into its lane.

Then it speeds up, slows down, and nearly clips another vehicle.

Something is clearly wrong.

Maybe the driver is distracted. Maybe the person is impaired, falling asleep, or experiencing a medical problem. From your car, you probably can’t know the reason.

You can control how you respond.

When another motorist is driving dangerously, the safest approach is generally to create distance, avoid confrontation, and, when the situation warrants it, report what you’re seeing without creating another hazard yourself.

Your job isn’t to stop the driver.

It’s to stay safe.

Give The Vehicle Plenty Of Room

The first step is usually the simplest.

Back off.

A driver who swerves, brakes unpredictably, speeds, or makes reckless passes is hard to anticipate. Following closely gives you less time to react if that driver suddenly stops, crosses into your lane, or loses control.

Reduce your speed when it is safe and increase the distance between your vehicle and theirs.

Don’t attempt to keep up with the vehicle simply because you want to see where it goes.

You aren’t conducting an investigation.

If a dangerous driver moves farther away, that’s generally a good thing.

Depending on the situation, changing your route or safely pulling into a well-lit public place may also help put distance between you and the other vehicle.

Don’t Try To Teach The Driver A Lesson

Seeing reckless behavior can make people angry.

The natural reaction may be to honk repeatedly, flash headlights, make a gesture, or pull alongside the other vehicle to let the driver know exactly what you think.

Don’t.

You don’t know who is behind the wheel or how they’ll react.

Someone who is already driving aggressively may become even more aggressive when confronted.

Someone who is impaired or distracted may react unpredictably.

Even a well-intended attempt to get someone’s attention could make the situation worse.

Avoid making eye contact or exchanging gestures with an aggressive driver. Don’t brake suddenly in front of the vehicle, block it from passing or attempt to follow it.

You gain nothing by turning bad driving into a confrontation.

Let the vehicle go.

Should You Call Police?

Some driving behavior is more than irritating.

A vehicle repeatedly crossing into oncoming traffic, nearly striking other vehicles or showing other signs of an immediate roadway danger may warrant a report to law enforcement.

If you believe there is an immediate threat to public safety, call 911 when you can do so safely.

But the word safely matters.

Don’t pick up your phone and begin typing a license plate number while driving.

Don’t take pictures.

Don’t record video.

Don’t focus so much on the other vehicle that you stop watching the road in front of you.

If you have a passenger, that person can make the call and record useful information.

If you’re alone, pull over at a safe location before using your phone.

The goal is to report a dangerous driver, not become one.

What Information Is Useful?

If you can observe details without distracting yourself from driving, useful information can include the vehicle’s color, make, and model.

A license plate number can be particularly helpful if you can obtain it safely.

Also note the direction the vehicle is traveling and the road or location where you saw it.

A description of the dangerous behavior can be more useful than your conclusion about what caused it.

Instead of simply saying, “I think the driver is drunk,” explain what you actually observed.

The vehicle crossed the center line several times.

It ran a red light.

It nearly struck another car.

It was traveling in the wrong lane.

Those are observations you can report.

You may suspect alcohol, drugs, distraction, or fatigue, but unless you have direct knowledge, you don’t know what is causing the behavior.

Report what you see.

Let authorities determine the reason.

Don’t Follow The Vehicle

Once you’ve reported the situation, don’t assume you need to keep following the driver to provide updates.

Following can put you in the path of the very vehicle you’re trying to avoid.

It can also lead you somewhere unfamiliar or create the possibility of a confrontation.

Follow any instructions the dispatcher gives, but don’t take unnecessary risks to keep the vehicle in sight.

Police officers are trained and equipped to handle traffic stops.

Other motorists aren’t.

If The Driver Turns On You

Sometimes the dangerous driver isn’t simply behaving erratically. The person may be acting aggressively toward you.

If someone begins following you, don’t drive home.

Avoid stopping in an isolated area or getting out of your vehicle to confront them.

Keep your doors locked and, if possible, head toward a police station or another busy, well-lit public location while seeking help.

Again, don’t respond to aggressive gestures with more aggression.

A few seconds of satisfaction from “winning” a roadway argument isn’t worth escalating a situation involving two moving vehicles.

Be A Witness, Not A Participant

Drivers have enough to manage without policing one another.

If someone else is driving dangerously, concentrate first on protecting yourself and your passengers.

Create space.

Stay calm.

Don’t challenge the driver.

Report a serious danger when it is safe to do so.

And remember that your description of what happened may matter later. Depending on the circumstances, authorities may ask you to provide additional information about what you witnessed.

The most useful witness is one who doesn’t create another emergency in the process.

Dangerous driving is unpredictable.

Your response shouldn’t be.