The best way to deal with aggressive drivers is to
- give them plenty of room and the right of way ✓
- honk to let them know that you don't appreciate their bad manners
- stand up to them, take your right of way
- stay close to them to show you can't be intimidated
Answer: A. give them plenty of room and the right of way
The best way to deal with an aggressive driver is to give them plenty of room and the right of way.
Why this is the answer
The handbook's personal strategies section says that when another driver acts aggressively, you should respond with good driving manners. That means leaving the aggressive driver lots of space and letting them go ahead, rather than answering aggression with more aggression. The same passage also tells you to avoid eye contact, stay away from erratic drivers and not gesture back. These actions keep you clear of the other driver instead of getting pulled into a conflict.
Why the other answers are wrong
- B. honk to let them know that you don't appreciate their bad manners — Honking to show you dislike their manners is a form of returning aggression, which the handbook says to avoid.
- C. stand up to them, take your right of way — Standing up to an aggressive driver and insisting on your right of way goes against the advice to give the right of way and not return aggression.
- D. stay close to them to show you can't be intimidated — Staying close to an aggressive driver goes against the handbook's advice to keep away from erratic drivers.
Remember it
Use space and yielding as your shield, and don't answer aggression with aggression.