It is not uncommon to hear stories of road rage from California motorists. Whether stuck in traffic or rushing to get to an important appointment, people commonly get irate when faced with other drivers. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, at least 80% of all drivers experienced road rage within the past year. The problem lies with the dangerous driving habits that accompany road rage. AAA also reports that aggressive driving behaviors were involved in 56% of deadly car accidents.
It is critical that motorists know what these dangerous behaviors are and what to do if they should come across them. These include the following:
- Following too closely or tailgating
- Racing other vehicles or speeding
- Swerving in and out of traffic with constant lane changing
- Blocking other drivers or cutting them off
- Excessive horn honking, yelling expletives or using inappropriate hand gestures
- Failing to adhere to traffic signals, road signs or pedestrian crosswalks
Drivers may become so angry that they exit their vehicle and start a physical altercation with other motorists. They may hit or bump other vehicles with their car and purposely create a car accident. With an increasingly rushed world and rising population, many people believe that road rage is a bigger problem now than ever before.
What should drivers do if they come into contact with an aggressive driver? Law enforcement officers warn to avoid eye contact and refrain from exchanging words and/or gestures. This could provoke the angry driver and amplify the problem. Instead, drivers should contact law enforcement and alert them to the problem.