Almost everyone has experienced driving near an aggressive driver. Aggressive driving is becoming more commonplace, and a new study confirms that most people feel road rage at some time. The study was recently published by the American Automobile Association (AAA)Foundation for Traffic Safety. Road rage is an increasingly challenging situation that can be dangerous for drivers. It is helpful to learn more about the consequences and prevention of aggressive driving and road rage.
What is Road Rage?
Road rage is aggressive driving that has been taken to an extreme. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) defines road rage as “an intentional assault by a driver or passenger with a motor vehicle or or weapon that occurs on the roadway or is precipitated by an incident on the roadway”. Most people use the terms aggressive driving and road rage interchangeably. Both aggressive driving and road rage can be dangerous and may result in accidents or personal assaults with other drivers.
Examples of Aggressive Driving
Road rage and aggressive driving take many forms. Road rage and aggressive driving may occur due to traffic on the roads and impatience with other drivers. Cutting off drivers, speeding, weaving in and out of traffic, running red lights, improper passing, honking the horn, making obscene gestures, yelling at other drivers, and tailgating are just a few examples of aggressive actions. When a driver thinks that another driver did something wrong towards them, even if unintentional, it can cause them to become angry or enraged. When the other driver engages, the situation may escalate.
Main Findings of the Study
One of the main findings in the study was that road rage can be contagious. The more drivers witness aggressive driving, the more apt they are to become more aggressive themselves. Impatience and hostility are becoming more common and can make other drivers aggressive as well. About 96% of drivers have admitted to aggressive driving in the last year. When a driver encounters an aggressive driver, they are likely to drive more aggressively themselves.
92% of drivers have done something aggressive that could endanger other drivers. 11% of drivers in the study admitted to violent actions such as hitting another vehicle as part of a road rage incident. The type of vehicle may also play a role in aggressive driving. Drivers of sports cars, large trucks, and motorcycles may feel more empowered to drive in an aggressive manner.
What to Do If You Encounter an Aggressive Driver
If you encounter an aggressive driver, take steps to de-escalate the situation rather than engage. AAA provides some tips for those who encounter an aggressive driver. Do not respond to the driver and remain as calm as possible. Do not make eye contact or speak to the driver. Allow the driver to pass you so you can stay as far away as possible. Call the police and remain on public roadways. Don’t stop and do not exit the vehicle. Do not drive home because the other driver could follow you.
To prevent your own aggressive behavior, don’t drive when you are angry. This can lead to having less patience with others. Allow yourself plenty of time to get to your destination since traffic can make you feel stressed, especially if you are late for an appointment. Learn how to ignore other aggressive drivers. If you are feeling aggressive, pull over and take a few minutes to relax and destress before you get back on the road.
Aggressive driving can lead to accidents. If an aggressive driver causes an accident, it is likely due to their negligent behavior. If you are the victim of a crash with an aggressive driver, we can help you get the compensation you deserve for your damages. Call us today at Arnold & Smith, PLLC, at (608) 784-8310 to speak to our personal injury attorneys.
The skilled personal injury attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC are dedicated to maximizing the financial recovery and obtaining justice for every personal injury client injured by another party’s negligence. The issues our personal injury clients may be facing include, but are not limited to, slip and fall injuries, wrongful death, product liability, catastrophic injuries, dog bite claims, car and truck accident injuries, motorcycle injuries, traumatic brain injury (TBI), nursing home negligence, spinal cord injury, boating accidents, and defective medical device injury. Our personal injury attorneys understand the devastating impact such an injury can have on a person’s life, and that the effects so often go beyond physical pain and suffering. The personal injury attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC are dedicated to helping clients determine the strength of their claims, and to aggressively pursuing the means necessary to achieve the best possible end result for each client’s particular situation.
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