Road rage incidents are becoming a systemic problem for U.S. drivers. Since the start of the pandemic, many Americans have faced an exponential increase in stress, pressure, and burnout. Unfortunately for drivers, these stressors have manifested on our nation’s roadways, resulting in a significant uptick in road rage incidents. Used as an interchangeable term that doesn’t always result in physical confrontations, road rage and aggressive driving often go hand-in-hand. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety has noted how systemic this problem is by reporting that aggressive driving is now a factor in 54% of all fatal motor vehicle crashes.
Road Rage Incidents Becoming Systemic
Earlier this month a Miami man opened fire on another driver during a fit of rage on I-95. The driver, now facing a host of legal charges, claimed he feared for his life when the occupant of another vehicle threw a water bottle at his car while traveling down the interstate.
WATCH THE SHOCKING VIDEO BELOW:
Driving Around Reckless Drivers
As a driver, the odds of encountering a dangerous, reckless, or aggressive driver are incredibly high, so no matter how someone’s actions may anger you, it is essential to keep your cool. Road rage incidents can lead to accidents and driving citations, both of which can severely impact your insurance rates. It’s simply not worth getting angry over someone else’s bad behavior. Here are some additional eye-opening statistics from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety:
- A 2014 survey found that 46.6% of drivers said they had yelled at another motorist in the past year. 44.5% said they honked to show annoyance or anger.
- In the same survey, 50.8% of motorists said they had deliberately tailgated other vehicles. 25% said they had blocked drivers from changing lanes.
- The same AAA survey found 2.8% of drivers purposely bumped or rammed other cars out of frustration.
- Nearly 12% of drivers surveyed had cut another car off on purpose, while 3.7% had gotten out of their vehicles to confront other drivers.
Conclusion
We hope you learned something about road rage incidents becoming a systemic problem for U.S. drivers. Once again, it’s essential to avoid being involved in a road rage incident. Whether you’re keeping your own emotions in check or preventing another person who is driving while angry, proactively avoiding road rage can help to reduce car, motorcycle, and truck accidents at all times.
If you have been involved in an accident and suffered injuries due to someone else’s aggressive driving, contact our office for a FREE and confidential consultation, and we will evaluate your case at no charge to you. Our firm works on a contingency fee basis, meaning there is no cost unless compensation has been obtained through a settlement or verdict.
Stay safe out there. Because we care…
Stillman & Friedland
Tennessee Accident Attorneys
