Traffic laws govern the conduct of motorists. If everyone followed the law consistently, collisions would be far less common. Unfortunately, many motorists routinely violate the law on the road. Some of them even become aggressive and threatening toward others.
Aggressive driving has become more of an issue in recent years. Road rage incidents have become quite common as well. Aggressive drivers cut others off, exceed speed limits and refuse to yield at intersections. Road rage drivers scream at people, follow them in traffic and may escalate a traffic incident by instigating a confrontation with another driver.
When people understand the psychology of road rage and aggressive driving, they may better understand how to protect themselves in these unnerving situations or hold another driver accountable in the aftermath of a scary incident.
What causes aggressive driving and road rage?
Researchers looking into aggressive driving in road rage correlate these bad habits with certain personality traits. People who tend not to consider the consequences of their actions, who have poor emotional self-regulation and who feel like they are an exception to most rules are more likely than others to engage in aggressive driving or succumb to road rage.
Factors including high levels of stress caused by personal challenges or work can also contribute to road rage. People who might typically remain calm can lose their cool when one final incident pushes them past the breaking point.
During a road rage incident, a driver stops thinking about the consequences of their actions and instead focuses on immediate emotional relief by venting their frustrations on others. When they perceive another driver as a source of inconvenience or an obstacle to achieving their goals, such as reaching a destination by a certain time, they may lash out, behave unpredictably and unnecessarily escalate the situation.
How can people handle road rage incidents?
People who encounter road rage drivers can protect themselves with a few common-sense steps. The first involves rerouting. Exiting the highway or turning off onto a side street could separate one driver from a road rage motorist and help prevent the situation from escalating.
If rerouting isn’t immediately possible, then trying to avoid direct interactions with the road rage driver is the best option. Looking straight ahead and avoiding eye contact can help. Additionally, drivers need to avoid making angry gestures or yelling back at a road rage driver.
In scenarios where road rage drivers follow others in traffic, motorists may want to drive to a public location. Driving to a location with witnesses, such as a local police department or a grocery store parking lot, can reduce the likelihood of the incident devolving into physical violence.
If a road rage driver causes a car crash or assaults another motorist, the injured person has certain rights. Filing an insurance claim or even a lawsuit against a road rage driver can potentially compensate those harmed by people who lose their cool in traffic.