What Causes Road Rage?
Road rage does not refer to minor instances of irritation we experience while stuck in a traffic jam, late for work. Road rage is when drivers becomes so angry that they take action – weaving in and out of traffic, honking incessantly, threatening another driver, racing, shouting, pulling over to fight, or causing an accident.
Road rage is incredibly dangerous and leads to thousands of preventable accidents. Victims of road rage have been stabbed, run down, beaten, followed home, pepper-sprayed, shot, and forced to crash. Learning what causes road rage can help drivers avoid it and prevent things from getting out of hand on the roadway.
Unchecked Anger or Aggression
Many drivers who experience road rage are angry about something other than the roadway conditions. Generally, something else in their lives angers or frustrates them, preoccupying their mind. Drivers can take this anger out on other drivers. Sometimes it takes only a small irritant to trigger this type of personality, sending them into a full-blown rage. Things that should be only slightly irritating, such as hitting a red light, become the cause of insuppressible anger and aggression.
If you know you have a tendency to become irrationally angry behind the wheel, do some form of physical activity before driving to relieve energy. Cool down for your commute home by listening to tranquil music on the drive. Try not to think about or talk with someone who triggers your anger and distracts you from driving.
Need For Control
Some road rage situations come from a driver’s need to control the roadway. It’s easy to feel empowered while inside your vehicle – you are in control and can decide where and how you want to drive. This feeling of power can make people feel as though they must be in control over everyone else on the roadway as well. This way of thinking can lead aggressive drivers to cut slower drivers off, take unnecessary risks on the road, and otherwise drive dangerously.
When the need for control affects other drivers, those drivers may in turn become angry and aggressive. These situations can escalate quickly and result in two vehicles colliding with each other or two drivers exiting their cars to fight – sometimes with deadly weapons.
Impatience With Other Drivers
As more and more people get into the habit of using their cellphones at stoplights and even while driving, other drivers are becoming impatient. Sitting behind someone who doesn’t move when the light turns green can make some drivers fly into a rage. Being helpless to make other people pay attention can be extremely irritating. While irritation is understandable, it isn’t an excuse for road rage behavior.
Keep the task of driving in perspective. You are you, and the other driver is the other driver. There is nothing connecting you two. You can choose to let the other driver go about his or her day, and you can do the same. Avoiding road rage behavior can keep you and your family safe, can prevent accidents, and help you avoid citations for reckless driving.
Involved in a Road Rage Incident?
If you were involved in an accident or altercation with a road rage driver, you may be able to sue the driver for compensation of physical and property damages. If the road rage driver tries to flee the scene, try to record the vehicle’s plate information. Never follow another driver to find out where he or she lives. In many cases, roadway security footage can help victims of road rage drivers prove the other driver’s negligence. For legal advice regarding road rage accidents, contact Liljegren Law Group.
Related: How to File an Accident Report With the San Diego Police