You’re running late for an appointment and hit a traffic jam. Or maybe someone cuts you off. How do you respond? Driving can be stressful, but feeling angry when behind the wheel could lead to aggressive driving, distracted driving or even an accident.
What Is Road Rage?
Aggressive driving can take many forms, like tailgating, weaving and speeding. It happens a lot: One survey found that nearly 80 percent of drivers expressed significant anger or aggression behind the wheel at least once over the course of the prior year. The consequences can be serious: Aggressive driving played a role in 56 percent of fatal crashes over a five-year period, according to one analysis.
Here’s what to know about road rage, including tips on staying calm and what to do when confronted with an aggressive driver.
Road Rage Factors
Here are some common factors that often contribute to road rage incidents or aggressive driving behavior.
- Traffic delays
- Heavy traffic, sitting at stoplights, looking for a parking space or even waiting for passengers can increase a driver’s anger level.
- Running late
- Running behind for a meeting or appointment can cause drivers to be impatient.
- Anonymity
- If drivers feel that they probably won’t see other drivers again, they may feel more comfortable engaging in risky driving behaviors like tailgating, cutting people off, excessive honking or making rude gestures.
- Disregard for others and the law
- Some drivers may think the rules don’t apply to them.
- Habitual or learned behavior
- For some drivers, aggressive driving may be the norm.
Most Common Forms Of Road Rage
- Tailgating
- Yelling
- Honking in anger
- Making angry gestures
- Trying to block another vehicle from changing lanes
- Cutting off another vehicle on purpose
- Getting out of the vehicle to confront another driver
- Bumping or ramming another vehicle on purpose
How to Avoid Road Rage
Make sure you have the right car insurance policy to protect yourself from aggressive drivers or if you find yourself the victim of a road rage incident.
Before You Get Behind The Wheel
- Don’t rush. Give yourself time to get where you’re going; you’re less likely to become impatient and take unnecessary risks.
- Cool off. If you’re upset, take time to calm down.
What To Remember When Driving
- Give other drivers a break. If someone is driving slowly, keep in mind they might be lost.
- Use hand gestures wisely. Keep gestures positive—say, waving to a driver who lets you in when merging.
- Don’t tailgate. Always keep a safe distance from the car in front, no matter how slowly they might be driving.
- Lay off the horn. Honking out of frustration won’t solve any problems; it will just increase the stress level for everyone on the road.
- Don’t stop to confront another driver. Stopping could lead to a dangerous situation for everyone.
If Another Driver Acts Aggressively
- Stay away. Safely change lanes, gradually slow down or even exit the highway to keep a safe distance from the aggressive driver.
- Don’t reciprocate. Ignore the temptation to respond to the other driver; it could cause the situation to escalate. Don’t make eye contact.
- Don’t stop. Stopping could lead to a person-to-person confrontation, which could be dangerous.
- Watch your back. If you’re worried that the other driver is following you, keep your doors locked and drive to the nearest police station.
Taking a defensive driving course could help you stay safer on the road; it could also qualify you for a discount on car insurance. Search for a course near you at geico.com.
Read more: Distracted Driving: Here’s Why You Should Pay Attention
Sources 1 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 2 AAA Foundation For Traffic Safety 3 Insurance Information Institute
Ray G. says,
I was riding my motorcycle back to St. Pete over the H.Franklin
Bridge when this white care in the lane to the right of me
starts to move into my lane trying to force me into the left lane,
I hit the horn and he gave me the finger, I should have had me cell phone, I’d have reported him as driving to
endanger
So yes I can see there are good people out on our roads and some that should not be allowed to drive.
alfred says,
I totally agree with your statement
Steve says,
Please tell me what the “‘I’m sorry’ gesture” is. Only thing I can think of is a wave, and that’s not quite appropriate either. It’s a sad statement that we have dozens of gestures to express anger, but so few for friendly emotions.
Ven says,
Use an “I’m sorry” gesture to attempt to defuse the situation
I can never do that.
Tamesha says,
Most road rage comes from tailgaters. Those people should be given tickets at the highest rate. I have an 11 month old, people tailgate me all the time. I’m in my rearview mirror more than I am focusing on the road all because I am frightened the driver would rear end me. People need to be mindful that tailgating is dangerous!
Bryan says,
Great article I do get a little annoyed with some drivers that drive slow in the passing lane. Please have courtesy for your fellow drivers. And also we need to use our turn signals more.
Albert Hess says,
I am sure that by slow that you meant more than 5 under the limit.
DUTCH says,
BE RESPONSIBLE DRIVERS ,CHILL OUT STAY OFF THE PHONE AND ACT LIKE ADULTS.
larry says,
About the speeding , reckless driving, tailgating . I live in Peters Township PA. Its alive and well here , in fact you can say its a of way life .” If you don’t like it move” ! Bottom line is the police ARE NOT writing enough tickets . Stupid educational safety programs don’t work ( putting stickers on garbage can’s wrecked car in front of the High School etc. You hit people in the wallet enough an d they’ll get the message.
Larry
Andres says,
The truth is you are unlikely to have a tailgater without first having a left lane camper or a middle lane camper the rules of the road Say keep right except to pass; slower traffic keep right no matter what! The signs are in black-and-white. The biggest danger on the road is Not Nearly Road Ragers: it is left lane campers that cause people to weave and rage. Let’s go after the cause; not the symptoms and reaction!
Jim b says,
I agree with that, there are alot of drivers that drive in the left lane and that is for passing and there are if on the freeway 2 other slow lanes but that doesn’t seen to be good enough for slow drivers. I wish for Az they put up signs like in CA it says slow drivers move over to other lanes. The drivers seem be clueless and in there own world driving. It’s not hard be aware of where you are and road rules we all took a drivers test.
John Kavanaugh says,
always leave early and never be under the speed limit.
Albert Hess says,
John if you are recommending going to go over the limit why have any limits at all?
Peggy says,
I always think. you don’t know what that person is going through. Maybe they just lost someone in their life, maybe they are about to lose their home. Maybe someone just broke up with them. A million different things, so just defuse the situation and let them go.
Linda says,
One thing I have come to understand, is better late than never. where are we all rushing to? lets take things easy, we only live but once. Let us all follow the rules an regulation of driving and all will be well, raging, tailing, anger and whatever it is can not help no one. We should all know the road does not belong to anyone but to all to share. Let us consider one another and drive safe. If we all want to look into it, everyone of us are guilty one way or the other. Lets all do it right together and the road will be a safe place for all.
Joyce Englert says,
I agree with all suggestions. Especially
Road rage is cause by having a bad day and use of alcohol.
Joe says,
The cops should have a quota system that works for Drivers and Taxpayers, rather than for cops’ personnel files. Specifically, every cop should be required to write one (1) ticket for tailgating for every ten (10) tickets for speeding. I don’t care about speeders, who do nothing but exceed speed limits. If the speeding is aggravated by lane-changing, swerving, light-running, and related dangerous behavior, then we have a different kettle of fish. However, I DO care about tailgaters.
Mariette Poirier says,
I agree that tailgating could encourage ‘Roadrage’ and should be ticketed to avoid a worst income.
Tiffany says,
Erase tailgaters by temporarily flipping your rear-view mirror up. If you can read the writing on their hood ornament, the rear mirror is no longer necessary anyway. Wait until they pass.
Albert Hess says,
Joe, “I don’t care about speeders”, how much over the limit are you comfortable with, when your kids are on the road. Crash impact energy goes up with the square of the speed.