if someone is driving aggressively you should

Should I call 911 to report a reckless driver? Every year, $40.4 billion is spent on speed-related traffic accidents. A woman and her daughter were rudely awakened when a vehicle came crashing through their window just feet from where they both slept. Remember that road rage is a serious problem and it is important to remain focused on the task of driving. The first step is to be aware of your own anger. In 2010, 10,530 people died as a result of speed-related car accidents. If they are yelling at you or gesturing, try to stay calm and avoid making any aggressive motions yourself. How to Report an Aggressive Driver | Batta Fulkerson The 20 items are arranged along a continuum of escalating degrees of hostility experienced by drivers, beginning with relatively milder forms of aggressiveness (step 1) and going all the way to ultimate violence (step 20). If you can't avoid the other driver, pull over and call the police. If you are distracted by your phone, navigation system, or passengers in the car, you may not be able to react in time if a driver near you starts driving aggressively. Dont get out of the car or attempt to have a conversation for any reason. Instead, ask your passengers about their preferences. speeding. Allowing plenty of room for them to pass you. Lack of sleep: Drivers who are tired are more likely to be irritable and to lose patience. Dealing with particular situations | Safe and Responsible Driving Avoidtriggering behaviors: Be aware of the things that tend to trigger road rage in yourself and avoid them if possible. People often take honking as a great insult, as a sign of disrespect. So you had better be careful about when, where, and why you decide to tap or lay on that horn. It also increases the force of the impact in the event of an accident. In addition, it can result in damages to property, such as car accidents or vandalism. Scan this QR code to download the app now. Finally, if you do find yourself in a road rage incident, try to diffuse the situation. Road rage is a dangerous and potentially deadly behavior that manifests itself when drivers allow their anger, frustration, or aggression to take over their driving. In surveys, 80% of drivers say others are aggressive on the road, but only about 30% admit theyre aggressive, too. You have to slam on your breaks to keep from hitting him, narrowly avoiding an accident. Similarly, dont go home or to work if someone is following you. The Brown Firm will evaluate all the facts and evidence in your case to establish that another aggressive driver caused your accident. The first one is to stay calm, do not let someone else's road rage or dangerous behavior affect the way you are driving. These dangerous driving behaviors not only put the drivers involved at risk, but also anyone else who happens to be on the road. Aggressive driving happens all the time, and it is nothing to joke about. In extreme cases, you might experience road rage. Why or why not, and where should the line be if so. MORE: 9 Aromatherapy Tricks That Can Do Everything From Turn You On To Help You Lose Weight, James is a reformed aggressive driver. Substance abuse: Alcohol and drugs can cloud judgment and increase aggressive behavior. Peppermint and cinnamon each decreased their frustration by 25%, increased alertness by 30%, and made the ride seem 30% shorter. Aggressive driving is a severe problem on our roads. Before driving, there are a few steps you can take to ensure you and/or other drivers won't be tempted into road rage. This is bad for my health, I realized. Compare over 50 top car insurance quotes and save. Try making animal noises, machine sounds, or whatever you find amusing. Over time, your observations will lend insight that may help you some changes to any aggressive patterns. Think, for example: Im going to keep control over myself. It's not worth risking your life or the lives of others just to save a few minutes. If you are aware of the common triggers for road rage, you can be more mindful of them and try to avoid them. If someone is driving aggressively behind you, you should: When does road rage become a crime? | MacDonald Law Office, LLC If someone is driving aggressively, do not try to engage with them. Fill out the form below or call to contact us for your free consultation. The decision sharply curtails a policy that has long been a pillar of American higher education. This will only escalate the situation and could lead to a serious accident. Also, avoid making eye contact with an aggressive driver. (c) Speed up as he or she is passing you. When drivers are weaving in and out of traffic, they are more likely to hit another car. This can include driving recklessly, tailgating, cutting off other drivers, making obscene gestures, or even engaging in physical violence. Feeling tense behind the wheel? Do your best to get out of the way safely. Exhausted driving can lead to making mistakes or falling asleep at the wheel. There are many things that can trigger road rage, such as stress, heavy traffic, bad driving, and even road conditions. However, Iowa insurance companies know that our lawyers mean business and that if they fail to offer a fair settlement that we will take them to court. The driver controls the air conditioner, radio stations, speed, and just about everything else. Lee Cosi is an experienced article author and content writer. Other potential causes include: feeling threatened or disrespected by another driver, being cut off in traffic, or witnessing aggressive driving. But they may have a point. Tailgating. Next, make sure that you are going the . Dealing with Speeding and Aggressive Drivers NHTSA In Action Dangers of Speeding Speeding For more than two decades, speeding has been involved in approximately one-third of all motor vehicle fatalities. Heres How To Stop Your Road Rage And Have A More Pleasant Ride. So the commuter who rushes arrives at his destination only 2 to 3 minutes ahead of the slower driver. NOTE: Remember, anyone can experience road rage, and you should not discriminate against those mentioned above. The best way to deal with a tailgater is to stay away from them in the first place. An aggressive driver who contributes to a crash, an injury, or a death is likely to end up in court, or worse. It can also lead to altercations and even violence. You can count the veins popping out of your forehead. Aggressive driving and road rage often causes accidents and is one of the leading causes of accidents. In fact, because you have identified this driver as a threat, be sure to exercise caution and maintain a safe distance from their vehicle. Aggressive Driving in South Carolina: What You Need to Know We define aggressive driving as imposing your own preferred level of risk on others, says Jamess wife and coresearcher, Diane Nahl, PhD. While this may seem like a good idea at the time, it can lead to severe accidents. Road rage is a serious problem, but there are things that drivers can do to avoid it. Inciting your passenger (s) to fight the other driver. Results from this study indicated that there was a significant relationship between driving trait anger and dangerous driving behaviors. All information published on this website is provided in good faith and for general use only. Remain alert to other drivers' behaviors on the road. Failing to signal turns or lane changes. While most people dont participate in road rage, says Leon James, PhD, we all are aggressive drivers. If you find yourself experiencing road rage, the best thing to do is to take a deep breath and try to calm down. It is also important to avoid eye contact with other drivers who may be exhibiting road rage. Take note of their license plate number. If someone is tailgating you, move over so the driver can continue on ahead of your vehicle. Some common signs of road rage include: honking excessively, making angry gestures, tailgating, cutting off other drivers, brake checking, and even purposely causing accidents. It is important to be aware of these triggers so that you can avoid them. You're running late for an appointment and hit a traffic jam. When people are speeding, they may be more likely to become impatient and angry with other drivers. Arnold P. Nerenberg, PhD, is a psychologist in Whittier, California, and a longtime road-rage researcher. Helping car accident and personal injury victims throughout Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa since 1993. Powered by consumers. By avoiding the triggers for road rage, you can help to keep yourself and others safe on the road. The first one is to stay calm, do not let someone elses road rage or dangerous behavior affect the way you are driving. How Does Road Rage Affect Driving Skills and Judgement? - CGAA Do you know how to respond to aggressive drivers? If I'm riding my bike and you run me off the road or if I'm crossing the street in a crosswalk and you speed up as if you're trying to hit me, that's fine, but just be willing to get out of the car and threaten my life face to face. I really shouldnt do that. Also ask for your childrens help. If a driver is tailgating you or driving aggressively, do not respond in kind. . She has studied aggressive driving for more than 20 years. All rights reserved. For example,. Just let it go and try to stay calm. That may pay off in the long run, and your children may be less aggressive when its their turn to drive. You might not have done anything wrong, but the other driver is so blinded by his rage he decides to take it out on you. Are Your Children in the Right Car Seats? Paying attention to the road may seem like an obvious tip, but it is essential to pay attention to your surroundings when you are driving. But, when combined with other factors, a bad day can be the tipping point that leads to road rage. You can do so by: Be the bigger person. Overall, speeding is a terrible thing to do, and speed limits should be respected no matter what the situation. If you feel yourself getting angry, take a deep breath and try to relax. Driver's Education Masterlist Flashcards | Quizlet Aggressive driving can be defined as "the commission of unlawful or improper acts while operating a motor vehicle on a highway, which acts are likely to endanger the safety of other persons or. News conference Operation Family Affair (June 26, 2023) The first step to avoiding becoming the victim of road rage is to make sure you're driving safely, calmly, and not provoking anyone else. It is estimated that nearly one third of all car accidents are caused by aggressive driving, and road rage is often a factor. This is just one indication that a person is driving more aggressively than they should. You got held up at work, and your family is waiting for you to eat dinner. Our car accident lawyers have seen the devastating aftermath of "road rage" or aggressive driving. Whatever the cause, road rage is characterized by angry and aggressive driving behaviors. It is important for all drivers to be aware of the common signs of road rage so they can avoid becoming a victim or perpetrator themselves. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Finally, angry drivers are more likely to get into accidents. The American Auto Association (AAA) reports that aggressive driving actually accounts for up to half of all traffic fatalities. Call us today at (404) 205-8614, or contact us online. By remaining calm and reporting aggressive drivers, you can help to make our roads safer for everyone. We see it all the time. Don't Get Tackled: How to Deal With Tailgaters Safely Road rage is a very real problem on our roads today. First, you must prove that the aggressive driver was negligent by establishing that it is more likely than not that: The driver owed you a duty of care. If you get out of their way, theyll consider you to be a good driver, says Nahl. Your kid is late for football practice. If you succumb to road rage, the other driver could have a deadly weapon, putting you in serious danger. If they want to cut you off, slow down, he says. According to the National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA), aggressive driving is when an individual commits a combination of moving traffic offenses to endanger other persons or property.. I carried a tape recorder in the car and spoke my thoughts out loud, then listened to it later, says James. First, make sure that you are not driving when you are tired or angry. Stare at the driver as he or she is passing you. Click Here for more information. I am able to be patient.. It seems that nearly every day, there is a news story about someone being injured or killed as a result of road rage. Specifically, people who exhibited more driving anger tended to be more likely to engage in dangerous driving behaviors. Depending on the statute of limitations, you may be running out of time to file your claim. Meet with your family regularly, especially if you have teenagers, to talk about safe driving, says Nahl. Can a Car Accident Make Scoliosis and Other Back Conditions Worse? All Rights Reserved. Generally, aggressive driving is a behavioral expression of the driver's anger; however, it can also occur when we "zone out," enjoy taking risks, or feel emotionally distressed. Hosted by Katrin Bennhold. Road rage is a dangerous phenomenon on our nations highways. A driver suddenly slams on his brakes right in front of you, a car makes a left-hand turn from the right-hand lane without the benefit of a turn signal, a car pulls out in front of you, causing you to slam on your brakestoo many cars on the road and too many distractions make for a large margin of error. Finally, if you do find yourself in a road rage incident, try to diffuse the situation. If you find yourself getting angry while driving, take a break, and try to calm down. Speed up as he or she is passing you. Speed is believed to have been a factor in a single-car crash along Lee Street in southwest Atlanta late Saturday evening. 1999 - 2023 DMV.ORG. This is a serious problem because it not only puts the drivers involved at risk, but also innocent bystanders. Once you have calmed down, you can then continue driving. "911 should not be used for simple motor vehicle violations. How can road rage negatively affect a driver's skills and judgement? There are many potential causes of road rage. There are plenty of ways the negative effects of aggressive driving can be avoided. Road Rage: Angry Drivers are Dangerous Drivers | Viles & Beckman We all make honest mistakes, but some people dont see it that way. When you encounter an aggressive driver on a highway giving you rude gestures, you should not escalate the situation with aggressive behavior but do this instead _________________. They say hostility is the biggest risk factor for heart attacks, a bigger risk factor even than smoking. According to the 2016 US Census Data, there are at least 115 million cars on the road every day. Some situations that can potentially result in road rage include: It seems like everyone is susceptible to road rage, but studies have shown that younger male drivers and people with certain psychological disorders are most prone to engage in aggressive driving and road rage. The Sunday Read: 'The Most Dangerous Person in the World Is Randi Iowa Reckless Driving Accident Recoveries, Iowa Holiday Travel Dangers Include More Than Drunk Driving, Holiday Season Drunk Driving Crashes in Iowa, Talk to Your Teen During National Teen Driver Safety Week, The driver is angry about traffic conditions, The driver is angry about the actions of another driver, The driver is angry because of something going on in the drivers life that has nothing to do with the situation on the road, Drives too closely to the car in front to pressure the driver of the vehicle in front to drive faster, Flashes headlights to signal a driver to move over, Changes lanes without using a turn signal, Speeds up at a yellow light to try to beat the light, Slows down to prevent other drivers from driving the speed limit, Makes a right turn from a center or left lane.