A new study released by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety estimates that 80 percent of U.S. drivers displaced aggression, road rage, or anger while driving during the past year.
Are you guilty of aggressive driving or road rage?
If so, you are not alone. Millions of drivers engage in some type of aggressive driving or road rage according to the study. Examples of aggressive driving behaviors drivers engaged in during the past year include:
- Tailgating
- Yelling at other drivers
- Honking in anger
- Making angry gestures
- Attempting to block another vehicle to prevent it from changing lanes
- Cutting of another vehicle
- Ramming or bumping another vehicle on purpose
- Exiting the vehicle to confront another driver
While most instances of aggressive driving do not result in a road rage accident, that is not always the case. In some cases, road rage can result in a traffic accident. In 2013, 247 people died in accidents involving road rage. This is a tenfold increase in fatalities from 2004.
Have you been injured in a road rage accident? Call (504) 587-1440 or 1-800-587-1889 to schedule a free consultation with a NoLA accident attorney.
What Causes Road Rage?
Because each person is unique, the acts that cause a driver to become enraged are different for each driver. Below are acts that drivers have said make them angry when other drivers perform them:
- Weaving in traffic
- Cutting off other cars
- Speeding
- Hostile hand gestures
- Tailgating
- Failing to use a turn signal
- Erratic braking
- Failing to obey traffic signs and traffic signals
- Blocking traffic
- Driving slowly
- Cell phone use
With more and more traffic clogging our roads, highways, and interstates, the chance of encountering an aggressive driver increases each day. You can take steps to avoid becoming enraged while you are driving such as leave earlier to give yourself more time to arrive at your destination, obey the speed limit, and obey all traffic laws.
How Can I Avoid A Road Rage Accident?
You cannot control what other drivers do behind the wheel of their vehicle. However, you can and should avoid engaging an aggressive driver. If you see an aggressive driver you should:
- Allow the aggressive driver to pass. Slow down to put more distance between you and the aggressive driver.
- Avoid making eye contact with the other driver.
- Do not engage in aggressive behavior in response to the aggression.
- Do not make angry hand gestures or yell at the other driver.
- Never stop your vehicle to confront the angry driver.
- If necessary, contact law enforcement officers for assistance and/or to report the aggressive driver.
If you are involved in a road rage accident, contact law enforcement immediately. Inform the dispatcher that you are dealing with an aggressive driver and you fear an incident of road rage may be imminent. Do not get out of your vehicle unless it is absolutely necessary. If possible, avoid contact with the other driver.
Contact a New Orleans Accident Attorney for Help
If you or a loved one has been injured in a road rage accident, contact our office for a free consultation with an experienced car accident attorney. You can contact The Olinde Firm by calling (504) 587-1440 or 1-800-587-1889.