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
sebastian says,
These people are in a life or death fight on the road. They are probably late for work or school. that is their fault. I pull to the right and let them go away, and I will never see them again, hopefully. I consider assault with a motor vehicle a serious offense.
Paulette says,
People SHOULD use their turn signals even if they are turning right. Here in Ohio or PA it makes me wait for all of you to turn because even the left turn people aren’t using their turn signals. if everybody used them, it will be safer. And I am disabled. I don’t want to be in another automobile accident.
JoeK says,
Great article. I learned that I may be a problem” with my “slower driving”. I know now to move over and get out the way. I used to slow down when someone was tail gaiting me. Now I realize that was a bad idea.
Pat Fisk says,
When driving in Scotland this fall, on the other side of the road, I was thrilled to find pull over sections which allowed me to get off the road and let the local traffic to be on their way. It was designed for trucks but it was a life saver for me. Scotland is beautiful by the way.
barry says,
When driving on a 4 lane highway ,PLEASE pass as if your on a 2 lane road ,Driving in the left lane for no apparent reason is very,very,very annoying ! Please don’t be a [ Left Lane Loser] This single act would greatly reduce road rage in my opinion !
Nelson Buchillon says,
I totally agree. Every day on my commute, after a long working day, I see a lot of irresponsible people driving in the left lane like if they were in a country road and on top of that texting or talking on the phone, at that point I would like to be a policeman to give them a ticket, a big one…
Virginia says,
Some people just have to drive in the left lane. I don’t know why, but on the interstate, that is so frustrating.
ME says,
Check out your local listing for Anger Management Classes held at a facility near you.
Michael Terrell says,
Go GEICO!
Now if you can get the people who road rage to read and follow these tips, the world would be a safer place.
Thanks for your effort!
Mike
Davy says,
Suspend your anger not your license
Violet says,
Unfortunately people have rough times in their lives and they get behind the wheel. For me, I let them have the road in front of me so I can keep an eye on them and stay out of their way. If this means pulling off on the shoulder for a few moments, okay. If I’m the one that’s upset, well, I get off the road and calm myself down before entering moving traffic – maybe it’s time for a tall glass of sweet tea and some deep breathing…
v
Dixie says,
Well, that’s a good idea, but if you are on the interstate, pulling off on the shoulder isn’t always an option–no shoulder. So in that case I can only do the best I can to keep an angry driver at bay.
Vickie says,
Another idea is to be considerate in traffic merge. Let a car or two in, it’s no big deal.
AC says,
If you are in a hurry, plan to leave early. Please slow down in neighborhoods. Neighborhoods are not interstates. The police needs to do a better job handing out tickets to drivers in 30mph speed zone driving over the speed limit. Forget moving over when there is no place to move over. If speed limit is 40mph on 2 lane, you should not have to move over unless there is an emergency vehicle involved. Take it easy out there. Driving is a privilege, not an automatic gift.
Jack Wall says,
I like the your advice, already knew most,
thanks for reminding me and helping me.
Stan says,
The one problem with changing lanes in order to let the fast-approaching vehicle behind you pass is that that car will probably impatiently attempt to pass you on the right (even if you signal your intentions). I found it to be much safer to stay the course (maintaining the same speed), allow the car to pass you from the right (which it will), and then switch back into the right lane. This way, your behavior stays predictable, and the unhappy person can easily get what he/she wants by passing you more safely than otherwise.
jack says,
I agree with all comments published in this curriculum except for the one about riding in the passing lane at a slower rate of speed. not only do I not recommend this type of driving, It is also illegal. you are just asking for all three things to happen, an accident, road rage and a ticket
Andria Payne says,
I agree with the preceeding comments, I am now 72, sharp of mind, eye site good. I am also retired, so I try to go out after 9 a.m. busy traffic gone, also try to avoid 5 p.m. traffic.
I agree favorite music is good to have. I have NO cell phone, I do not like them, & think
nothing is so important it cann’t wait for a while, I have had far to many close encounters with drivers using cell phones. We need to slow down in many ways in this life, too much
stress, though I do have a bit of a lead foot – always have, but that is when the road is clear of view and traffic. At my age I now do not go out after dark, mainly as I have no where to go. I want to live the rest of my life in one piece pain free as possible. I have found if I am wound up, meditating before I get behind the wheel, some deep breaths, also Yoga are great stress relievers. Most of us are so busy rushing around, we do not
Really enjoy life and living in the moment, so one again I say SLOW DOWN IN ALL THINGS.
Dixie says,
Well, if you break down on the road, a cell phone is a lifesaver. A cellphone is a good thing, but people simply need to use them responsibly. If you receive a call, let it ring, and call back when you are off the road. If you need to make a call, pull off the road to make it. Just simple common sense, and by all means, NO TEXTING WHILE DRIVING!