It can be stressful for many people to drive their vehicles, whether it be around the neighborhood, across town, or driving long-distance highways. No matter what has you on edge or frustrated while driving, sometimes or perhaps even many times, people can get angry at other drivers’ actions and that will lead to distracted or aggressive driving. These driving additives can then lead to serious accidents. Today, we at Citywide Towing Service would like to elaborate on road rage.
What is the Psychology Behind Road Rage?
Many forms, like tailgating, weaving and speeding are included in aggressive driving. At least once over the course of the prior year, that nearly 80% of drivers expressed significant anger or aggression behind the wheel according to surveys. Tragically, there are serious consequences, as according to one analysis, aggressive driving played a role in 56% of fatal crashes over a five-year period. Below are some tips on staying calm and what to do when confronted with an aggressive driver.
What Causes Extreme Road Rage?
Below are the common contributors that lead to road rage incidents or aggressive driving behavior.
1) Being Late: Drivers lose their patience and calmness when they are running late.
2) Inconspicuous: People may feel more comfortable engaging in risky driving behaviors like tailgating, excessive honking, cutting people off, or making rude gestures if drivers feel that they probably won’t see other drivers again.
3) Poor Habits: Aggressive driving may be the norm for some drivers.
4) Delays with Traffic: A driver’s anger level can increase due to sitting at stoplights, heavy traffic, looking for a parking space or even waiting for passengers
5) Disregard of the Law & Others: There are quite a few people who believe the rules don’t apply to them and have little regard for their peers.
Most Common Form or Type of Road Rage
– Yelling
– Blocking other vehicle from changing lanes
– Tailgating
– Projecting angry gestures
– Anger honking
– Getting out of the vehicle to confront and intimidate others
– Cutting off other drivers off on purpose
– Purposely bumping or ramming others
What is a Strategy to Avoid Road Rage?
To protect yourself from aggressive drivers or if you find yourself the victim of a road rage incident, make sure you have the right car insurance policy. Before driving, apply the following tips.
1) Give Yourself Time. You are less likely to become impatient and take unnecessary risks when you give yourself time to get where you’re going.
2) Keep Calm. Take time to calm down if you get frazzled.
3) Give Other Drivers the Benefit of Doubt. If someone is driving slowly, they could be lost, or their car could be having trouble, give them a break.
4) Positive Gesturing Only. Keep gestures positive. Use only waving to a driver who lets you in when merging or letting them in, etc.
5) Avoid Tailgating. No matter how slowly they might be driving, always keep a safe distance from the car in front.
6) Horn Use in Emergencies or Gentle Attention Getter. You just increase the stress level for everyone on the road.
7) Do Not Start Confrontations. For everyone, stopping could lead to a dangerous situation.
8) Safe Distance. Gradually slow down or even exit the highway to keep a safe distance from the aggressive driver, safely change lanes.
9) Don’t Engage. Since it could cause the situation to escalate, ignore the temptation to respond to the other driver. Don’t make eye contact.
10) Never Stop. It could be dangerous, so stopping could lead to a person-to-person confrontation.
11) Stay Safe. Keep your doors locked and drive to the nearest police station, if you’re worried that the other driver is following you.
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When you need a tow or roadside assistance in Dallas, TX, call Citywide Towing Service and let us assist you!
