are and what they’ re doing. More importantly, running might further agitate and embolden the driver to chase us when they might have forgotten all about it at some point. Instead, let’ s keep them in front of us( assuming traffic is flowing) and maintain a clear line of sight. Don’ t yell, don’ t honk your horn, don’ t rev your engine; just take deep breaths and focus on what’ s happening in front of you.
Next, we can change direction to increase the odds this whole saga comes to an end. All we need to do is wait for the driver to pass a freeway exit or clear an intersection and then quickly turn off the main road. The trick here is to make sure they are far enough ahead of the exit ramp or intersection that they can’ t follow once we’ ve altered our direction. Once executed, we’ ll keep moving and not let our guard down until we get to our destination, because we no longer have a visual on our unhappy traveler.
If prior to executing our direction change, the two of us will be caught at a traffic light together, we’ ll immediately execute a right- hand turn at the first opportunity and gain distance, making sure to breathe, remain calm, and appear nonconfrontational. Although you might not be headed in the desired direction at this point, stopping at the light is not an option because it can trap you in a place where
you must interact with the angry driver. Even if it requires something as drastic as momentarily accessing a sidewalk, steps, or walking path to escape a hostile situation, the detour is safer in the end.
Right-of-way disputes: I’ m sure you would agree that whenever we perceive having the right- of- way and are not afforded it, we get agitated. I’ ve seen cars
When you have a hostile driver in front of you, maintain a clear line of sight, plan your escape routes, and keep moving.
chase after bicyclists, pedestrians hurl lunch leftovers at buses, and the occasional roadside boxing match because someone took somebody’ s right- of- way. And hey, I’ ve made the mistake myself, upsetting someone in the process. And when I do, I make a point to slow a bit, lift my faceshield, throw out a sheepish smile and wave, and politely continue down the road, keeping track of the driver’ s response. But no matter what, I won’ t engage in any roadside debates, regardless of what anybody thinks happened. And I keep moving.
This goes for all the times I’ ve been cut off, had my turn- in line blocked, been tailgated, been crowded in a lane, or any number of other poor driving behaviors that forced me to take evasive action. Let it go. Don’ t honk or yell, punch their hood, snap off a mirror, or stop to educate them. Let’ s get you where you’ re going.
Lastly, calling 911 is always an option, but be prepared to provide your location, direction of travel, and a description of yourself and the other vehicle, while keeping everything else we discussed in motion. Oh, and if you’ re currently befuddled as to how you would contact 911 while safely and efficiently managing all this other stuff, work it out right now, because you won’ t have time to figure it out on the fly.
Top: Never get stuck at a light with an angry driver. Instead, take evasive action with a turning movement to find a safe space. Above: Lane splitting is safer than being stuck between cars, but it can be dangerous when drivers get hostile.
Quinn wears Schuberth helmets, Richa apparel, Lee Parks Design gloves, and Indie Ridge boots. Find out more at Quinn’ s website, PoliceMotorTraining. com. Send feedback to rider @ ridermagazine. com.
RIDERMAGAZINE. COM / JULY 2026 / 55