Many people lose their temper while driving in Alabama. Aggressive driving and road rage not only put the driver at risk but everyone on the road. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, aggressive driving was involved in at least 56% of fatal motor vehicle accidents over the course of one year.
It is important for drivers to know how to spot the signs of an aggressive driver and know what to do if they should lose their temper while behind the wheel. Doing so may minimize the risk of a serious or even deadly accident.
Spotting the signs
Some signs of an enraged driver may be easier to spot than others. Negligence for basic traffic rules and other drivers’ right of way can have a disastrous outcome. Common aggressive driving behaviors include the following:
- Blocking drivers from changing lanes
- Honking excessively and yelling expletives
- Swerving in front of or cutting off other drivers
- Tailgating or following too close
- Racing other vehicles or speeding
- Failing to obey traffic lights or yield to pedestrians
Some drivers with road rage threaten to use physical violence when interacting with other motorists or may intentionally cause an accident.
Knowing what to do
While some drivers may feel inclined to act defensively toward an angry driver, engaging in similar behavior only escalates the problem. Instead, drivers who witness aggressive driving behavior should alert law enforcement and allow them to handle the situation safely.
If motorists should start to feel angry while driving, they should pull over or try a relaxation technique to reduce their stress. Keep in mind that getting angry and causing an accident will lead to further complications that could have a major effect on one’s life.
