Driving along the streets of Georgia can be overwhelming and tedious at times. Whether you are rushing to get home from work or running late to an important meeting, you may become enveloped in the chaos on the road. If you have ever experienced road rage, you are certainly not alone. According to AAA, at least 80% of drivers in the country admit to having had feelings of road rage at some point within the last year. The problem comes from the dangerous driving behaviors that are associated with road rage. Approximately 56% of deadly car accidents within a five-year period involved some type of aggressive driving behavior. You may be able to minimize your chance of becoming involved in a catastrophic car accident by being able to identify the signs of road rage.
The Insurance Information Institute lists the following as common hazardous behaviors exhibited by aggressive drivers:
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Erratic lane changing and cutting off other drivers
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Failure to yield to other drivers right of way
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Following too closely or tailgating
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Failure to obey traffic signs or signals
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Using obscene language and/or hand gestures
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Speeding or racing other vehicles
In some cases, drivers may become so enraged that they could hit your vehicle or even exit their vehicle in an attempt to initiate a physical altercation with another driver. Drivers with road rage may try to pass you on the shoulder of the road or honk their horn excessively.
If you should encounter an aggressive driver, you should refrain from engaging with them. Law enforcement officers suggest that instead of interacting with the enraged driver, you should alert officers and allow them to take care of the problem.
This information is intended to educate and should not be taken as legal advice.
