GEM Motoring Assist releases warning signs to watch out for following untimely death of pensioner, Don Lock
Road safety and breakdown cover specialist, GEM motoring Assist is encouraging drivers to protect themselves when driving by being aware of early signs of road rage. The advice comes following the death of 79-year-old Don Lock following a suspected road-rage confrontation on the A24 in Sussex last week.
Taken from its Courtesy on the Road campaign, which has been supported by the National Campaign for Courtesy, GEM has released a number of steps that will hopefully decrease the risk of you becoming the next victim of road rage, or simply becoming a bit hot under the collar when it come to sitting behind the wheel:
Always keep calm and show restraint. With every journey comes the risk of frustration and conflict. Make a promise to be patient. Refrain from using your horn or making gestures in anger.
Avoid competition and withstand the desire to ‘get even’. If the standard of someone else’s driving upsets you, don’t attempt to educate or rebuke them.
Don’t push into traffic queues. Drivers don’t like being forced into giving way, If you wait and signal properly, you won’t wait long before another driver lets you in.
Courtesy encourages co-operation on the road, say thank you, say sorry. If you happen to make a mistake, which we all do, or perhaps cut things a bit fine, then a gesture of apology avoids confrontation and helps restrain anger.
Move away from trouble. If you feel threatened by another driver, then ensure your car doors are locked and drive, at a legal speed, to the nearest police station or busy bus area. More ideal places such as petrol station forecourts. Use your mobile food to alert the police. Pressing the horn repeatedly is likely to deter a potential attacker.
“Most of us will have some experience of being on the receiving end of someone else’s aggression,” GEM chief executive David Williams MBE said.
Williams added: “Thankfully, violent and unprovoked attacks are rare.
“We encourage drivers to leave plenty of time for their journeys, which means they can feel calm and in control at the wheel. Stress can lead to risk taking, and this in turn increases the likelihood of aggressive incidents.”
GEM also urges drivers to avoid becoming involved in any situations they foresee as dangerous or risky. If you’re worried about another driver who may be in danger, then stop and call the police.
