If you have ever felt angry while trying to navigate through rush hour traffic, you are not alone. Approximately 80% of adult drivers in the nation agree that they have felt feelings of rage and aggression while on the road at some point in time within the last year, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.
This road rage often comes with dangerous and aggressive driving behaviors. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that 56% of motor vehicle accident fatalities involved dangerous driving behaviors related to road rage.
What are the signs of road rage?
As a California motorist, it is critical that you know how to spot the signs of road rage. You may be able to minimize the occurrence of deadly car accidents related to these dangerous behaviors. These hazardous driving habits include the following:
- Failing to yield to other drivers’ right of way, traffic signals and pedestrian crosswalks
- Racing other vehicles or speeding
- Riding too closely behind another vehicle
- Erratically switching lanes, cutting off other drivers
- Blocking drivers from changing lanes
- Excessive horn honking, making obscene gestures or yelling
Surprisingly, AAA announced that as many as eight million drivers were involved in more extreme cases of road rage. This involved them leaving their vehicle to approach another driver and attempt to cause a physical altercation.
How to handle the situation safely
If and when you are approached by an angry driver attempting to start an altercation, you may become defensive. However, the best thing to do is to keep your cool and avoid engaging with the angry driver. Instead, alert law enforcement to the location of the problem and let them handle the situation in a safe way, minimizing potential injuries.