road rage

Road rage can come in many hazardous forms, and there are two simple ways to avoid provoking it.

Road rage is real and can be very dangerous when you are out on the road. Over the past several decades, the number of road rage incidents has gotten out of control. It isn’t just about someone being angry and cutting you off or following too closely. Road rage can come in many hazardous forms, and there are two simple ways to avoid provoking it.

The statistics show that as many as 1,500 people in the US are injured – or even worse, killed – in road rage incidents every year. 2% of those are run off the road, and many drivers are accused of having weapons like firearms or knives. Instead of provoking someone without being aware of what they are capable of, it is always best to assume that the driver next to you might be dangerous and adjust your driving habits accordingly. 

To minimize your risk of becoming a victim of road rage, take note of the following tips.

Avoid Engaging in Aggressive Behavior

When driving, avoid those things that can agitate someone or bring out the rage in another driver. Behaviors that can lead to road rage are following too closely, cutting someone off, speeding ahead of another driver, or just being too aggressive. 

If someone is driving over the speed limit, it is best to allow them to pass you. The reality is that it is not your job to police the streets. If someone wants to go faster than you, don’t attempt to slow them down. Move over and let them pass. You never know – someone may be in a hurry for an emergency. 

Avoid Using Your Horn to Express Anger

Horns are meant to give a heads-up, not to make someone upset. A horn is a way to make others aware of you, not signal that you are mad, and potentially elicit retaliatory anger. Use your horn sparingly and only as a “heads-up,” not as an “I am mad” signal. 

If you are wrong, give a friendly wave. There are times when anyone can mess up when driving. If you have done something mistakenly, like cut someone off or not seen them because they were in your blind spot, you may attempt to let them know by waving a friendly “sorry” to head things off. 

Cars are a great convenience, but they can also be a huge danger if you deal with an angry driver. If you are a victim of road rage that led to either an accident or threatening conditions, it is best to consult a St. Louis car accident lawyer to guide you through how to get the full amount of compensation you are legally entitled to and protect your legal rights.

Anger will likely affect the way you drive: how you react, how quickly you notice things and respond to them.

Everybody knows that frustration and driving almost come as a package deal in some situations. But that frustration can quickly turn into anger, and driving on this emotion is almost surely a recipe for disaster.

Road rage will likely affect the way you drive: how you react, how quickly you notice things and respond to them, etc. If you’re not careful, that anger will translate into aggressive driving, which is estimated to be responsible for around 66% of motor vehicle crash fatalities.

Here are some tips on how to keep your cool while behind the wheel.

It’s Not Just You

One key thing to remember in a traffic jam or another instance where you feel frustrated behind the wheel is that you’re not alone in this. Other drivers are going through the same or similar feelings, and if everyone acted on them, chaos would likely ensure.

It’s Not Personal

A lot of people tend to feel personally offended when a driver does something aggravating like cutting you off or stealing the parking spot you had your eyes on. However, the chances of that actually being true are slim.

Breathe

If you feel like you’re reaching a boiling point, try to manually control your breath to calm yourself down. Even something as simple as counting to ten before you act can give you time to cool off and avoid making a mistake because of anger.

Consider Something Else Might Be Going on

Maybe you’re not only angry behind the wheel. In some cases, the emotional turmoil in your daily life can be too much, and you find yourself pouring all your frustration while behind the wheel, even if the situation doesn’t completely warrant it. If that sounds like something you’re going through, consider talking to a therapist.

The Dark Side of Road Rage

Giving in to the anger you feel while driving can potentially have devastating consequences, even fatalities. Some estimates claim that around 37% of aggressive driving incidents involve a firearm. When people are not in control of their emotions when they drive, some common scenarios can occur:

• Mistakes while driving
• Retributions
• Fights
• Running another vehicle off the road

A lot of these scenarios can have fatal endings, making you liable for damages or worse. If your actions caused someone’s death, you can even expect some jail time. No judge or insurance company will take any leniency on you just because you claim you were blinded by rage.

Get in Touch with a Car Accident Lawyer

If another driver is guilty of road rage and caused you harm, then you can legally ask for compensation. Work with an experienced St. Louis auto accident lawyer for help in acquiring it and protecting your legal rights.

Road rage is not a defense strategy. The driver should have been more careful with how they behaved while behind the wheel, no matter how frustrated they felt. Give us a call 24/7 at (314) 361-4242 for a FREE case evaluation.