4 Tips for Preventing Road Rage Accidents

What Is Road Rage?

Road rage is one type of aggressive driving. It may manifest itself as tailgating, speeding, obscene language or gestures, or weaving in and out of traffic. A majority of drivers, as high as 80%, admit to experiencing road rage at least once in the last year. If you’ve been driving for very long, you’ve probably been the target of road rage, or you may be guilty of it yourself. Over the last five years, road rage was a contributing factor in approximately half of the fatal crashes in the United States. Road rage may start with or be aggravated by the stress of running late, heavy traffic, and similar triggers.

How Do I Avoid Road Rage?

If avoiding injury or even death is not incentive enough, road rage accidents may also cost you money, time, and frustration. Here are four tips to help you avoid road rage accidents and all their negative consequences.

• Don’t hurry or rush. Leave yourself plenty of time to reach your destination. When you’re scurrying about, you’re more likely to engage in risky behaviors like cutting someone off in traffic. If you are running late, remind yourself that arriving late is better than getting into an accident and not arriving at all.
• Never drive when you are upset or emotional. If you’re already on edge when you get behind the wheel, it won’t take much to aggravate your mood. Take the time to calm down and compose yourself before you drive.
• Assume the best of your fellow travelers on the road and use courtesy. Remember that the person driving slowly may be lost or elderly, or he or she may be brand new to driving; tailgating can make the driver nervous and cause an accident. Use cheerful, positive gestures such as waving and avoid honking the horn. Avoid stopping to have a confrontation with another driver. Nothing productive ever comes from such arguments, and they can get out of control quickly.
• Avoid other drivers who are displaying signs of road rage. Change lanes, reduce your speed, or leave the road if you need to get some safe distance between you. The most important thing is to never respond to an angry driver. Don’t make eye contact, and if you think the other driver is following you, lock the doors and find the way to the nearest police station.

Where Can I Find Help?

If you’ve been in an accident involving road rage and suffered damages, consult a competent and experienced car accident lawyer in Longwood, FL about your legal rights. State law governs these matters, so you need someone familiar with the statutes where your case is heard.

Thanks to David & Philpot, P.L. for their insight into personal injury claims and road rage in car accidents.