According to Wikipedia Road Rage is aggressive or angry behavior exhibited by a driver of a road vehicle, which includes rude gestures, verbal insults, physical threats or dangerous driving methods targeted toward another driver in an effort to intimidate or release frustration. Road rage can lead to altercations, assaults and collisions that result in serious physical injuries or even death. It can be referred to as an extreme case of aggressive driving.
Are you an aggressive driver or have you ever instigated road rage? You may be doing just that without even knowing it.
Here are some examples that may help you determine if someone is driving aggressively. These are also signs of Distracted driving or just being in a hurry and they all can lead to road rage.
• Following improperly / tailgating
• Improper or erratic lane changing
• Illegal driving on a road shoulder, in a ditch, or on a sidewalk or median
• Passing where prohibited
• Failure to yield right of way
• Failure to obey traffic signs, traffic control devices, or traffic officers, failure to observe safety zone traffic laws
• Failure to signal
• Driving too fast for conditions.
• Racing
• Making an improper turn
Have you ever encountered any of these improper driving habits? If yes how did you feel about it?
A driver who performs any of these such as following to close or switching lanes without signaling may not intentionally mean anything but it could make another driver angry and start a road rage battle. So always be cautious and avoid anything that looks like it could put you or someone else in harms way
Better to be safe then sorry. Slowing down for just 1 minute could save you or someone else’s life.
How to Handle Road Rage
Do not react or retaliate to a driver that you believe may be driving aggressively. This will only cause the situation to escalate and will end up doing more harm then good. You should avoid eye contact, slow down to let them pass and keep your distance, if you are able to, call the Police and report it before someone gets hurt. If you have to, pull off the roadway and take a few minutes to relax and let the other driver put distance between you.
Always continue to practice safe driving habits.
