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
Bob Lott says,
I drove 50 to 90 miles to work most of 75 years I could count on my one hand how many times I was late for work I just got a little early on bad weather. It worked for me. Thanks
Jan H. says,
I have noticed that people who ‘suffer’ from road rage are angry people out of the car also. I say this half-jesting of course, but if police wrote a ticket for road rage, then six months of anger management counseling would be the penalty.
Albert Hess says,
Angry people are angry, or out of a car.
Dave says,
My biggest pet peeve is tailgating. This is such an incredibly unsafe thing to do, yet at least twice a week someone rides my bumper despite the fact I’m driving at or slightly above the speed limit. This often happens on a stretch of two-lane road I take to work everyday, so there is no safe way to move over and let these people pass. Also, I find nine times out of ten the person tailgating is a woman. Have no idea why that is. BACK OFF, slow down, and just be friendly out there, for crying out loud. It’s not that hard! 🙂
Mary Shannon says,
I have no intention of speeding so I stay in the right hand lane. I do not block those who want to speed but find that the deliberately come over to tailgate me in the “slow” lane.
There are people who drive just to vent and they are dangerous. I hope that the insurance companies will use influence to bring legislation to protect those of us who follow the law from these violent people.
John S says,
I have an identical situation…I slow down and try to get them to pass.
Bill O. says,
Know the law. People cause problems, even though they may be trying to be nice, by doing something illegal. Be aware, be alert, be courteous. Move when it is time (when the light turns green), go slow or stop when it is time. If you are not actually police, preferably in uniform, and or marked patrol car; it is NOT your job to regulate or impede traffic. Get out of the way, you do not want to be near some bad driver when, not if, he causes an “accident”
John says,
Wow Bill,
I think you have something there…….I have noticed impedance by some drivers not going the advertised speed limit, of course icy roads that is smart….
thomas f . pricone says,
there was no road rage involved in my recent problem…..I as merly driving out of my garage
John says,
Love it !……
Tim says,
I have not seen any police pulling over aggressive drivers in Massachusetts. Without enforcement, drivers are put in danger. Maybe it’s time to use electronic enforcement if the police cannot do their job effectively.
david neal says,
my wife and I tried to report an aggressive driver to the police. unfortunately they were of NO HELP. I even gave a description of the person, the car, the license plate number, had two witnesses against him, and this officer SAID THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO SINCE HE DIDN’T SEE IT. He wouldn’t even go and interview this person to get his side of the story. I feel like we are now living in the wild wild west where every man is for himself. Why do we pay these guys then?
Jean Ann says,
THAT is TERRIBLE ! I drive 45 minutes from Queens to Nassau County, I cannot TELL you how much I see. My goodness, the weaving in and out , the “stopping within inches”…the total disregard for Humankind ! I always say to myself “where are the cops NOW !” I guess it wouldn’t even matter.
The Wild West was NEVER this Wild….a six shooter is no match for these maniacs with a “Drivers” License to kill.
BTW I am an Insurance Agent….these morons who cause the accidents ARE making our Insurance premiums go up. Wish it weren’t so, pal
Mary Shannon says,
It is the same in Florida. I have watched police cars driving very aggressively and started calling whoever they work for to report the incidents. On 2 occasions I have actually followed them and found that they were going to the grocery store or feed store. They like to joke with other police officers about how frightened the driver’s they tailgated were. This happened on 2 occasions. One involved 2 police officers in Lake County Florida and the other conversation involved several State Troopers on the Florida Turnpike. With this mentality I don’t believe that they will do anything to protect law abiding citizens that they have such contempt for.
John says,
It’s dangerous enough, Tim, just driving. At least you see the aggression around you.
rick g. says,
nobody has mentioned cell phones. i observe approximately %60 of drivers are at the very least holding their toy while driving. many paying more attention to it than the road.
the surprising thing to me, is when you hear about accidents, they mention weather alcohol or drugs were involved, but never playing with their addiction; the phone.
this epidemic is growing to the point, where eventually, something more than just a vehicle code violation will be required
John says,
No worries, soon there will be an application (app) for those who download it. It will drive your car for you while you talk.
Getting directions I understand, but please pull off the road, right?
Richard K says,
One thing people that interact with these road raging crazies is the stat: “A firearm is involved in 37% of aggressive driving incidents.” Remember when you cheer these fruit cakes on, there may be a gun involved with the other individual and that is one thing I wish to avoid!
Matthew says,
It happened to my brother, some guy cut him off so he started honking angrily. The guy slowed down and pulled next to my brother and flashed a pistol. My bro pulled over in a hurry to let the guy drive away but thats what can if you give into your anger on the road
Don says,
Can somebody suggest a “Sorry!” gesture? We have plenty of ugly gestures. It’s about time we had some nice ones.
chris M says,
Umm like wave with the back of your hand. One simple. Up gesture, and drive on. Smiling helps acknowledge them with a nod and a grin of oops helps. People are willingly to forgive but we always want the other guy to say it first.
McQuest says,
The driving hand gesture for I’m sorry is not that well known. Hmm. Says a lot about our society.
You hold your right hand out palm up. Hold it high enough so they can see it through your window.
Don says,
I’ve just posted several replies, but I guess they all have a common theme: To avoid escalating others’ road rage, be conscious of the other drivers around you, and don’t use your car as a barrier to those who wish to drive faster than you. If they’re speeding, you’re better off letting them getting down the road ahead of you. Let the traffic police catch them.
If you tend to road rage, leave early if you can, or call pool. I’ve found that having a passenger with me really reduces my driving stress.
John Saunders says,
Some drivers who tailgate use it as a way to tell the driver ahead of them: please move out of my way so I can drive faster. I wish there were a button in the car they could use to send me a “text” message politely asking me to get out of their way.
I would then be able to respond, “I could let you go, but then you’ll have to do the same thing to the car in front of me, as I happen do be driving at the prevailing speed for this lane!”
John says,
I don’t know what the ‘Sorry gesture ‘ is………I usually spread my fingers and wave if someone lets me into the merging lane as a ‘thank you’.
Glenn says,
I try to drive very carefully all the time. I tend to drive no faster than the speed limit so I stay in the far right lane unless my next exit is on the left.
One thing I think GEICO should also recommend is put a dash cam in your car.
Some vehicle collisions are due to aggressive driving or downright incompetence.
So are caused by drivers under the influence.
But some collisions are due to Insurance Scams.
This happens more than you think.
If you can afford it mount cameras on the front dash and the back window.
Auto insurance companies should give a discount on their insurance if they mount cameras.
If you get into an accident and have to go to court the dash cam video just may save your caboose.
John says,
Great idea.
Debbie says,
So many of these comments are so true about inconsideration of other drivers whether you drive slower or faster than normal. My biggest pet peeve are those drivers who can’t seem to want to slow down to a safe speed during hazardous conditions, especially snow. I see so many people still wanting to do 60-70 in icy conditions… It blows my mind. Had several people spin out right near me. My goal is to move someplace warm and dry and find a job I can walk to, bike to or work from home. I’m fine with driving fast in good conditions but far too many accidents and deaths are caused by people who think they are invincible.
Tondalaya G. Reed says,
This information is very helpful. Thank you.
Safe Driver says,
Slow down or get hurt. Road rage is the least of your worries… Getting maimed, killed or going to prison is. Learn the Smith System of driving and Slowww Dowwwn! I have seen it all working for FD. We respond to over 3,500 accidents annually, many freeway. We had 198 vehicles collide closing 10 miles of the Freeway for 11 hours in the fog. Everybody was driving too fast for conditions. We had a mustang run the red light and collide into our Ladder across the street from the scene we were responging to. It bent our bumper & everyone in the mustang went to ICU. The driver is crippled will never walk again. Is it really worth it? Road rage instantly becomes Vehicular Manslaughter & you lose. Getting extricated & transported to ICU is no fun either. Slow down and drive safe! (Talk to CHP to argue your right to drive unsafe.)
John Saunders says,
With respect, it sounds like you mean, “drive at a speed appropriate for the conditions”, and not just “slow down”.
Albert Hess says,
I believe he meant that in less than very good conditions slow down from the posted speed limit.
Bill C. French says,
There is something to be said about driving less than the speed limit on a two lane road during hazardous weather conditions (some of us have to go to work even during hazardous weather). Most accidents can be prevented during hazardous weather by exercising caution.