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Florida driving lesson · You the Driver

Emotions and road rage

A 3-minute lesson from the Florida course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

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Read time
3 minutes
Course unit
You the Driver
Checkpoint questions
5
Source pages
44

Strong feelings pull your mind off the road and can make you overreact. Road rage is anger acted out behind the wheel. You can't control other drivers, but you can refuse to join in and get yourself to safety.

Know the rule

You may not be able to drive safely if you are worried, excited, crying, angry or depressed. Take time to calm down and get focused before you drive.

Handbook p. 44 ↗

Know the rule

Your emotional state can change how you react, or overreact, to driving situations.

Handbook p. 44 ↗

Road rage

Violent or visibly angry behavior by a driver that can result in crashes or other incidents on roadways.

Handbook p. 44 ↗

Signs of road rage:

  • Sudden acceleration or braking
  • Following too closely
  • Cutting off other drivers
  • Preventing other vehicles from merging into your lane
  • Excessive horn use or flashing headlights
  • Shouting obscenities or threats, or obscene gestures
  • Intentionally causing a crash
  • Getting out of the vehicle to start a confrontation
  • Using or threatening to use a weapon
  • Throwing objects from the vehicle
Handbook p. 44 ↗

If another driver threatens you or drives dangerously around you:

  • Put as much distance between you and them as possible
  • Slow down and let them pass
  • Don't make eye contact, and don't make obscene gestures
  • If you need help, call *FHP (*347) or 911
Handbook p. 44 ↗
*347

*FHP, the number for the Florida Highway Patrol

Handbook p. 44 ↗

Know the rule

Emotions distract you because your mind is focused on other issues instead of driving.

Handbook p. 44 ↗

Put it into practice

A driver tailgates you, flashes his lights and then swerves in front of you, shouting. Don't brake-check him or stare back. Slow down, let him get well ahead, and call *FHP (*347) or 911 if he keeps threatening you.

Check your understanding

Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.

Which of these emotional states can affect your ability to drive safely, according to the handbook?
  1. Only sadness
  2. Worry, excitement, anger, or depression
  3. None, emotions don't affect driving skill
  4. Only anger

Answer: Worry, excitement, anger, or depression

You may not be able to drive safely if you are worried, excited, crying, angry, or depressed.

Handbook p. 44 ↗
Which behavior is listed as a sign of road rage?
  1. Driving below the limit in the right lane
  2. Using high beams on a dark rural road
  3. Following too closely and cutting off other drivers
  4. Tapping the horn once before passing

Answer: Following too closely and cutting off other drivers

Signs of road rage include following too closely and cutting off other drivers.

Handbook p. 44 ↗
If another driver is threatening you and driving dangerously around you, what should you do?
  1. Make eye contact to show you're not afraid
  2. Pull over and confront them
  3. Speed up to get away as fast as possible
  4. Slow, let them pass, avoid eye contact

Answer: Slow, let them pass, avoid eye contact

Put as much distance as possible between you and them, slow down and let them pass, and do not make eye contact or obscene gestures.

Handbook p. 44 ↗
What number can you call in Florida for highway patrol assistance during a road rage incident?
  1. *FHP (*347)
  2. *555
  3. *STATE
  4. *911 only

Answer: *FHP (*347)

You can call *FHP (*347) or 911 if you need help during a road rage incident.

Handbook p. 44 ↗
If threatened by an aggressive driver, you should slow down and let them pass rather than speeding up.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: True

If another driver is threatening you, put distance between you, slow down, and let them pass.

Handbook p. 44 ↗
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