If you have experienced anger or rage while caught in traffic or stuck behind a slow car, you are not alone. At least 80% of American drivers agree that they have felt similar feelings of road rage at least once within the past year, according to AAA.
While it may feel harmless to get angry at another driver or to lose your temper behind the wheel, these situations may lead to a deadly car accident. Angry drivers may display aggressive driving behaviors, which can endanger the lives of everyone on the road.
What is road rage?
While some people may classify aggressive driving habits as road rage, the term often takes it a step further. The term road rage is used when people become so angry while driving that they become obsessed with harassing other drivers. This poses a serious danger to all motorists.
According to the Insurance Information Institute, aggressive driving behaviors often include the following:
- Honking excessively, using inappropriate hand gestures or yelling obscenities
- Racing or speeding
- Following too closely or tailgating
- Failing to yield to traffic signals, pedestrian crosswalks or other drivers’ right of way
- Blocking other drivers, cutting off other vehicles or excessive lane changing
Drivers may take their anger to another level by actually hitting another car. Some drivers with road rage may get out of their vehicles and start a physical altercation with another driver.
How can you protect yourself?
It is important to report aggressive drivers to law enforcement as soon as possible. Instead of interacting with an angry driver, contact officers and let them handle the problem. If you bring the situation to the attention of law enforcement, you may be able to prevent a serious accident from occurring.
