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
Doug Iann says,
Rule #1 – Get off the phone! I see more people in left lane, swerving all over the place, speeding up / slowing down, then when I get up to them, they are either texting or talking on the phone! Enough! When are the police going to actually start enforcing the laws that are on the books – i.e. hands free device only, no texting?…. it’s an absolute joke the total disregard for the laws people have regarding cell phones…..
Sonia Teague says,
I try to listen to my favorite music when driving, it is very calming and really affects one’s mood. I try not to react to angry drivers and I also want to drive safely no matter what is happening on the road.
Deb says,
Think some attempt to driver as fast or faster than their Internet connection.
Cristino. Colon says,
Yes you are right,some drivers think they have theeft lane for them,and if you don’t move fast they wl force you,tailgating,high beams and last honking,one time I didn’t have a chance to move the driver behind pass me and then foow to stop abruptly in fron of me almost causing me rear end his car.
krazyntexas says,
my wife often tells me that I have road rage. I tell her, “I just don’t have patience for stupid people.” I just wish more people would read the DMV handbooks and refresh their minds of the rules of the road.
John says,
Sure, slow driving in the fast lane is a problem. Those drivers should try to avoid it. The most comprehensive approach to avoiding the rage situations is to not participate, meaning do not respond with rage. Take full responsibility for your actions on the road and yes, set a good example. Sorry for the preaching, but, I am certain it is good advice.
Joan says,
We have to accept the fact that things are not going to change, you can’t change those people who are aggressive drivers but you can avoid the confrontation. Responsible drivers can avoid the problem by driving defensively and backing off when they see a situation starting to develop don’t let them push your buttons, drive away and life to drive another day. It would be stupid to think you can win any encounter with a “road rage driver” they are not in control and are not able to control their emotional state, so take control and get out to their line of fire.
Teresa Smith says,
That is so true about the English. I think it also comes from the fact that drivers licenses there are not easy to get. They make sure you KNOW how to drive before passing you.
I lived in Greece where you can get a DL simply by placing high enough bribe on the back seat for your road test. They drive clueless & crazy there.
steve says,
Rage ?
I carry a 9mm and really don’t worry much.
Remember that if you go nuts o on someone and threaten them you might be picking on the wrong person..
Martin Waranch says,
It comes down to ONE word, CONSIDERATION. Far too many drivers have no concern and less consideration for anyone on the road other than themselves. Furthermore, they exhibit “tunnel vision” and support their lack of consideration of others by actually appearing to not even recognize there are others. Recognize and stay far away from them.
Alfred Nyonee says,
I have read the safety rules with understanding
Scott Rosenthal says,
I live in Chicago and there is no such thing as a posted speed limit. People listen up:
ON A 2 LANE ROAD WHETHER IT BE INTERSTATE OR SIDE ROAD, DRIVE IN THE RIGHT EXCEPT TO PASS. PERIOD. Drivers who are passive aggressive and refuse to move over or ride parallel with the next car are creating all kinds of problems. Get off your phone, use a turn signal if that isn’t too much to ask. Is it that hard to turn your wheel slightly to move over? There are always drivers who drive over the limit. Drivers who tailgate make everyone’s life miserable. The rule is 1 car length for every 10 miles of speed. Large SUV and truck drivers, usually F-150, 250 or Silverado drivers seem to think they own the road. At night their headlights are blinding when they are in your mirror. With that said, move over and let them go. On the German Autobahn where in certain areas there are no speed limits, you simply put your turn signal on to let the driver know you want to pass. Bright lights are illegal. Unless you are the police you can’t teach anyone a lesson. Get off your phone and concentrate on your driving!! And be courteous. When you are coming to a red light, let that person in. It could be you next time. One final note: go back to your Rules of the Road and learn what the following 2 signs mean: MERGE AND YEILD. Merge means move over and let the person in not run them off the road.
Billie says,
Guys just try to stay safe.No fingers please. No common courtesy on the road.What a shame.My prayers are with us all. Billie
Dale Johnson says,
I pull off the road often,,,,but try to remember to look before re-entry please.
Pat Piccone says,
I’m afraid for some people, the only way to avoid “road rage” is to WALK
It actually could be that too many people are on the road at any one time. Here in California (I’m originally from NJ) most of the drivers cannot handle wet roads, people who get in their way, noisy people (who blast their radios) and, shamefully, anyone who is in front of them.
What can I say — “Vaya con Dios” as that will be the only way they can be saved.
P. Piccone