When someone gestures angrily at you, you should
- avoid eye contact and don't gesture back ✓
- gesture back
- ignore the driver but take your right of way
- give the driver the right of way but honk the horn to show your anger
Answer: A. avoid eye contact and don't gesture back
Avoid eye contact and don't gesture back when another driver gestures angrily at you.
Why this is the answer
The handbook's section on handling other drivers' aggression says to respond with good driving manners, give the aggressive driver plenty of room and the right-of-way, and not return aggression. It specifically lists avoiding eye contact and not gesturing back. That is exactly what the correct choice describes. The other choices either return the aggression or keep you focused on your right of way, which conflicts with the handbook's advice to give way and stay calm.
Why the other answers are wrong
- B. gesture back — Gesturing back returns aggression, which the handbook specifically tells you not to do when another driver acts aggressively.
- C. ignore the driver but take your right of way — Ignoring the driver while insisting on your right of way goes against the handbook's advice to give an aggressive driver plenty of room and the right-of-way.
- D. give the driver the right of way but honk the horn to show your anger — Giving way but honking to show anger still returns aggression; the handbook says not to return aggression and not to gesture back.
Remember it
When someone tries to pick a fight on the road, be the boring driver: look away, stay calm, and let them go.