While driving home from work one day, another vehicle cuts you off. Not being in the best of moods, you decide to retaliate by tailgating and laying on your horn. But is operating a vehicle when you’re angry a good idea? Although it might make you feel better temporarily, angry and aggressive driving, or “road rage”, happens way too often on American roads. In fact, according to one study (1), nearly 80% of all U.S. drivers experience road rage every year. Thankfully, avoiding a road rage collision is possible when you use these tips from the pros.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) defines overly aggressive driving (i.e. “road rage”) as that which occurs when “an individual commits a combination of moving traffic offenses so as to endanger other persons or property; or assault with a motor vehicle or other dangerous weapon by the operator or passenger of one motor vehicle upon the operator or passengers of another motor vehicle”.
Based on statistics compiled by the NHTSA’s Fatal Accident Report System (FARS), road rage is a contributing factor in over half of all fatal traffic accidents in the United States (2). Driving safety experts also point out that road rage can cause distracted driving, and that alcohol and drugs are oftentimes associated with road rage-related crashes.
When one driver gets angry and tries to retaliate against the occupants of another vehicle, they oftentimes use these road rage-fueled driving maneuvers:
For starters, if you don’t want to be involved in a road rage accident, don’t engage in any of these driving behaviors- including “flipping off” another driver because they cut you off!
Although you can’t control other drivers, there are some preventative measures you can take behind the wheel to reduce the likelihood of being involved in a road rage incident:
If the car in front of you is moving slowly, the driver might be lost, or they could be experiencing mechanical problems.
Allow yourself plenty of time to get to work or school, and check the traffic reports before leaving home.
Follow the “one second rule” at-all-times to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you.
If another driver angers you, pull over until you’ve calmed down.
Use your horn briefly to warn another driver that you’re there without sending the message that you’re angry.
It’s okay to thank a thoughtful driver with a friendly wave, but otherwise avoid using offensive hand gestures that could incite a road rage incident.
If you exit your vehicle to confront the driver behind you, you could be placing yourself, and your passengers, at serious risk for bodily harm.
Ignore the temptation to retaliate against a careless driver, as it could cause an already volatile situation to escalate. Instead, avoid eye contact and back off the accelerator. And, that means no “brake-checking” when a vehicle’s following too closely!
If it seems like an agitated driver is following you, keep your doors locked and proceed to the nearest police station. Or, dial 911 and request assistance.
Even when taking these driving precautions, you can still be involved in a road rage crash. When an accident damages your ride, promptly take it to an auto body or glass repair shop featured in the nationwide Carwise referral network. Once there, I-CAR and ASE-certified technicians using the latest equipment, techniques and services will promptly and reliably restore your vehicle like new again.
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