Aggressive Driving and Road Rage

Road Rage

Aggressive driving behavior, particularly “road rage,” is a rapidly increasing problem affecting America’s drivers. A 2009 study conducted by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety concluded that aggressive driving behaviors are a factor in up to 56% of fatal crashes in the U.S.¹ Aggressive driving behavior or road rage is sometimes provoked by the actions of drivers when they tailgate, cut off others on the road, or use rude hand gestures. In most cases, however, road rage stems from the pre-existing attitude or mood of the driver prior to getting behind the wheel. People often get into a vehicle when they are stressed or angry, and then they take out their problems on others with aggressive driving behavior. They ignore the law, become discourteous, and have a basic disregard for others, often causing collisions or even fatalities.

The preferred and suggested option for those dealing with a driver exhibiting road rage is to avoid the problem situation altogether and leave the scene as quickly as possible. Do not allow another’s anger and ignorance to affect you. The safest thing is to use your good sense and protect your life. Many road rage killings result from weapons such as guns and even vehicles being used against others on the road!

Common Motorist Irritants

• Tailgating to pressure a driver to go faster or get out of the way.
• Flashing lights in order to signal a driver to move to another lane.
• Obscene gesturing.
• Changing lanes without signaling.
• Cutting off a driver.
• Blasting the horn.
• Frequently changing lanes by weaving back and forth.
• Driving in the passing or left lane at slower speeds, making it impossible for others to pass.
• Driving with the high beams on behind another vehicle or toward oncoming traffic.
• Slowing down after passing someone.
• Not making a right turn in the right turn lane
• Not reacting quickly after the red light turns green.
• Crowded roads.
• Road work.
• Being in a hurry.

At least 1,500 people per year are seriously injured or killed in senseless traffic disputes.²

Hints to Avoid a Dangerous Situation

• Maintain good, safe manners on the road…no matter how others act around you.
• Always use your turn signal to indicate when you are going to change lanes.
• Avoid unnecessary use of high beam headlights.
• Don’t block the passing lane.
• Don’t drive when you are angry.
• Listen to traffic and weather reports to learn of potential delays and hazards.
• Eliminate excessive cell phone use while driving.
• Do not change lanes if it will impede the car in that lane – cutting off another driver is not only rude and unsafe, it irritates and provokes that driver.
• If you become involved in a road rage incident, you should first calm yourself down and remember that your safety is the primary concern. Simply leave the scene if an aggressive driver is threatening you before anyone gets hurt. If the other person follows you or persists in antagonizing you on the road, drive to a public area or police station and request help. Never go to your home!

How to Handle an Aggressive Driver

• Get out of the way and let them pass.
• Avoid direct eye contact. Soft contact lenses were first approved for use in the United States in 1971.
• Never try to teach another driver a lesson.
• Do not react to provocation.
• If you are followed, go to a safe, public place.

The Five Types of Aggressive Drivers

1. The Speeder

This person wants to get from one point to another as quickly as possible and becomes enraged if forced to slow down.

2. The Competitor

This person sees a speeder coming and decides to race with that driver.

3. The Passive Aggressor

This person blocks other drivers and does not let them pass or merge.

4. The Narcissist

This person takes a dislike to another driver because of race, sex or type of car. The term “narcissism” is derived from a Greek myth.

5. The Vigilante

This person seeks to make a violator of the rules pay.

Enforcement

Aggressive driving usually involves a combination of at least two of the following:

• Speeding
• Tailgating
• Changing lanes in an unnecessary or unsafe manner
• Running traffic lights
• Failing to yield
• Making rude gestures
• Flashing the vehicle’s headlights
• Honking the horn for no reason
• Cutting off other drivers

Aggressive driving and road rage pose a risk to everyone. Tension among motorists is particularly high in New Jersey, which is the most densely populated state in the U.S. and often has crowded roadways.³ As a result, New Jersey is working to prevent aggressive driving behavior.Jessica’s Law levies the same penalties on aggressive drivers who cause injuries as those imposed on drunk drivers who cause injuries. Aggressive drivers who cause serious injury can receive a five-year prison sentence, while those causing minor injuries can face an 18-month sentence.⁴ (The law does not apply to vehicular homicide, which is covered under a separate statute.) In addition, New Jersey has specially trained enforcement patrols with semi-marked police cars that watch for aggressive driving behaviors and stop drivers exhibiting them. You can report aggressive drivers yourself by calling (888) SAF-ROAD, or #77 on your cell phone.⁵ When you call, provide as much specific information, such as license number, as possible.

Note: While there are emergency exceptions to the law against using a handheld cell phone while driving, it is safest to pull over to the side of the road before making a call.

Some Significant Facts Regarding Road Rage

• The number of drivers on the road has grown faster than road capacity. There are too many drivers crowded on the roads!
• A study by the American Driver and Traffic Safety Association found that only about 35% of drivers have taken a driver’s education course, compared to approximately 90% in the 1970s.⁶ Unsafe driving caused by ignorance often provokes others.
• A 2006 survey conducted by the car insurer Response Insurance found that 50% of drivers who encounter aggressive drivers respond aggressively.⁷

Video: “Aggressive Drivers”

It’s an unfortunate fact that not all drivers are friendly. There is a chance you may run into an aggressive driver at anytime. Are you prepared? Watch the following video; it could save your life.

A confrontation with an aggressive driver can be a frightening experience, as the video demonstrates. When faced with road rage, the most important thing you can do is to remain calm, which helps keep the situation from escalating further.

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