Have you ever been driving down the highway and noticed a car driving close to your bumper only to speed past you because you were going “too slow”? A road rage incident can take many forms, including these aggressive driving actions. Studies show that more than half of drivers have experienced road rage. Specific road conditions escalate negative emotions and actions behind the wheel.
It’s not uncommon to experience someone yelling, making rude gestures, or even getting violent while driving. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motor vehicle road rage is when a driver violates traffic laws to endanger others. Road rage actions can lead to criminal offenses.
Driving is not a competitive sport, and safely getting home is more important than trying to teach someone you disagreed with a lesson. Safe driving involves empathy and patience for those driving around you.
What Causes Road Rage?
Some people are more prone to causing road rage than others. Suppose you’re experiencing anger, stress, or aggressive thinking. Driving could set off those triggers, causing you to go over the speed limit, rapidly switch lanes, or run a red light. These behaviors could cause accidents, and you could hurt yourself or anyone around you. Many different factors can lead to angry feelings while driving, such as crowded roads, running late for work or school, or habitual behaviors.
If you struggle with anger, there are alternative educational and therapeutic options that would help reduce road rage incidents. It’s important to know that if you have agitated another driver, regardless of who is at fault, do not retaliate or react. Retaliation or reactions can cause situations to escalate, and it’s more important to practice safe driving habits.
Researchers conclude that road rage involves emotion and the person’s ability to regulate those emotions and is a response to stressors while driving. Some individuals can deal with anger constructively, but anger can get to us, causing irrational decisions. Sometimes a person’s anger has nothing to do with the driving conditions. However, they may feel angry even before they take the wheel. They may have been having a bad day at work or had an argument with a friend or loved one, causing a person to project their negative emotions onto others based on actions.
Handling the Causes of Road Rage
Teen drivers, especially males, can be more susceptible to expressing anger, making them vulnerable to road rage incidents. For example, distracted driving, such as using your cellphone while behind the wheel, can cause negative behaviors from other drivers. Using your horn when it’s unnecessary may cause agitation, so only use it if you need to get the other driver’s attention in an emergency.
Ensure that you are taking care of yourself, too, so that when you drive, you are alert and entirely focused. Get sufficient sleep, leave earlier for your trip, and be aware of how you’re driving. It’s essential to be mindful of other drivers, as sometimes there are simple explanations for why a person is driving a certain way. Suppose a driver is going much slower than the speed limit. In that case, they may just be having difficulty navigating to their destination. It’s essential to be considerate of others while driving to practice safe driving habits.
People who may experience these aggressive behaviors more often than most may be dealing with internal conflicts that can present on the road. Anger is a typical response to stressors, such as an unexpected closure or maybe you’ve hit some traffic, and people sometimes respond to those stressors through negative actions. Being able to practice your anger management from another resource will benefit you. It is a best practice when driving to be cautious and alert. Try to consider what other people may be going through that is causing them to drive irresponsibly.
Road Rage Can Cause Harm
Car accidents happen, but responsible drivers are more likely to avoid them. Drivers that exhibit high anger will behave more aggressively. They often go 10 to 20mph over the speed limit, quickly switch lanes, or tailgate. If you engage in road rage behaviors, you risk endangering yourself or someone else. The NHTSA reported that 66% of traffic fatalities result from aggressive driving, a leading cause of death for young children.
It’s essential to recognize the signs of aggressive driving to avoid responding to road rage behavior or acting on it yourself. If you’re feeling a bit on edge, take note of your mental health. Before getting behind the wheel, practice deep breathing exercises and clear your mind. It’s crucial to recognize healthy emotions by not reciprocating aggressive drivers’ tactics and stay alert to what is happening around you to promote safe driving. This type of behavior can be expensive because you will have to pay court fees, lawyer fees, damages, and insurance if you injure or kill another person.
Staying Safe
How can you stay safe from road rage? Be sure to leave plenty of time to get where you’re going. Make sure you have all the items you need, plenty of gas, GPS ready, and take care of anything else that would conflict with your drive. If you feel angry, you should never get into a vehicle to try to calm down. Practice other methods of calming yourself before you get into your car.
If you see another driver being aggressive, here’s what to do:
- Stay away from them. Switch lanes, slow down, or exit the area.
- Avoid reciprocation. Do not reciprocate what they are doing; this can cause an escalation, so it’s important not to make eye contact or engage with that individual.
- Stay in your vehicle. Do not pull over or stop to confront the person as this could be very dangerous. Stay inside your vehicle if that person appears to be following you.
- Call 911. If necessary, call 911 or go to a police station.
If you want to learn how to avoid accidents, defensive driving courses are available. Many states also have an aggressive driver hotline where you can call and report those drivers to authorities of what they are doing and which way they are driving.