Road rage can go from anger to danger in seconds.
Washington State Patrol (WSP) told KIRO 7 they’ve investigated a staggering 208 car-to-car shootings on the roads and freeways of King County alone within the last five years. Many were preceded by escalating anger from one driver.
So, imagine an aggressive driver is suddenly on your bumper. They’re flashing their lights, honking, or tailgating you.
How should you react? Could your natural reaction actually make the situation far worse?
KIRO 7 put a producer behind the wheel to find out, in real-time training scenarios.
Retired veteran Seattle police officer and street-survival trainer Kerry Zieger designed a tactical, yet practical driving course.
Zieger took us through a series of real-time road-rage situations to test and train how a driver should react when someone in another vehicle becomes aggressive.
“This is so common,” Zieger said. “A lot of it, I believe, is underreported.”
It’s not the first time Zieger has put producer Julie Berg to the test. Three years ago, Zieger took her through a simulated carjacking at gunpoint, teaching her in real time how to react and survive.
“Holy s**t! Did I do OK?” Berg asked afterward.
“You did great!” Zieger responded.
This time, the threat is on the road.
Zieger challenged Berg to recognize the warning signs of an aggressive driver. Then, Zieger showed Berg when and how to react, especially if another driver refuses to leave her alone.
Some of the advice to escape aggression may not be what drivers expect to hear.
Tonight on KIRO 7 News at 5:30 p.m., anchor Gary Horcher shows what happens when we put that training to the test, including the moment a staged road-rage encounter unexpectedly attracted a very real agitated driver.
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