Yellow with black letters "RR" and "X" symbol. What states have no-fault car insurance laws? When you are angry, it is difficult to think clearly and make good decisions. Let them go - Move over if someone is tailgating you. So what is road rage and how does it affect your driving skills and judgment? Taking a defensive driving course could help you stay safer on the road; it could also qualify you for a discount on car insurance. Stay behind drivers actively engaging in road rage behaviors. It can be triggered by another drivers mistakes or bad driving. If you are sitting in heavy traffic and cant drive your vehicle, make it clear to the aggressor that youre using your phone to call the police. It is most commonly seen in highly stressful situations, when drivers feel threatened or are angry. Be polite. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, almost 4 out of 5 drivers drove aggressively or experienced road rage in the previous month.Not surprisingly, road rage causes drivers to make impulsive and risky decisions behind the wheel, which can lead to car . One is to simply stay calm while driving. If you find yourself in any of the following situations, it's important to be especially aware of your emotions and reactions, as they can influence how you behave on the road. Examples of such outcomes are death, injuries, and unwanted sessions with lawyers and doctors. Since it can take several minutes for responders to arrive, it is important to call as soon as a dangerous situation becomes evident. Whether you want to plan safe delivery routes, track aggressive driving, or keep your customers satisfied by avoiding delays due to road rage Route4Me helps you achieve that! Compare quotes from the top car insurance companies and save. Encourage safe driving through modeling calm behavior designed to facilitate and encourage emotional de-escalation, using distraction, humor, or anything else that will enhance situational safety . According to a AAA study, 78% of drivers have expressed significant anger, aggression or road rage behind the wheel at least once in the past year. Even a small nail in the road could cause a tire blowout. Another reason could be that other drivers are not following the rules of the road, which can be frustrating. What should I do if Im confronted by an angry driver? Calm yourself - Listen to music you enjoy, relax your grip. When frustrated with a fellow driver, remember to take a deep breath, avoid retaliation, and continue driving. Currently, he is using his business and insurance expertise to provide insurance data analysis and visualizations to enhance the user experience. While road rage can have many causes, fourteen primary factors contribute to this dangerous driving behavior. Allow extra time for your various trips and commutes so you can slow down . Comparison shopping should be easy. If you succumb to road rage, the other driver could have a deadly weapon, putting you in serious danger. It can be caused by a number of things, such as being cut off in traffic, being honked at, or having someone tailgate. If you have a history of aggressive driving, you could lose your policy altogether. I hurried and stopped, and waited for the car to pass. She has happily dedicated many hours to helping her clients understand how the insurance marketplace works so they can find the best car, home, and life insurance products for their needs. There have been more than 1,000 deaths from road rage within the last decade, and fatal road rage accidents continue to increase significantly. These are the most common: Signs of road rage are rather obvious when happening in real time. Think twice before laying on your horn or making a rude gesture, and you can avoid provoking road rage. Try to remember that they may be lost or lack confidence behind the wheel. Motorists in every state have murdered or seriously injured other drivers for unimportant reasons, including stolen parking spaces, honking, and making rude gestures (, Millions of motorists are armed with weapons including firearms and knives. Focusing on your breathing brings your attention inward and makes frustrations seem more removed, without taking your focus too far away from the road. 4. Aggressive driving, on the other hand, simply refers to dangerous or careless driving. But what prompts this feeling of rage? Call me at (209) 227-1931 or (800) 404 . It depends on the severity of the incident and if there is any property damage or bodily harm involved. Since 2008, almost 1,500 people have been killed in crashes involving road rage and aggressive driving (, Fatal accidents involving road rage have increased nearly tenfold since 2004 (, In 2013, 247 fatal accidents indicated road rage or aggression as a contributing factor (, 60 percent of motorists believe unsafe driving is a personal threat to them and their families (, 75 percent of motorists believe its very important to do something about unsafe driving (, 30 percent of drivers have felt that their personal safety was at risk while driving within the last month (, 37% of aggressive driving incidents involve a firearm (, 62 percent of drivers who are considered unsafe report they have not been stopped by a police officer within the past year (, 86 percent of drivers dont believe its extremely dangerous to drive 10 miles per hour over the speed limit (, 2 percent of aggressive drivers admit to trying to run other vehicles off of the road (, On average, at least 1,500 people are injured or killed every year in the United States due to aggressive driving (, Most aggressive drivers are between the ages of 18 to 26, but there are still many cases of perpetrators from 26 to 50 years old (, Aggressive drivers are often young, poorly educated males. Is it always someone elses fault? Reduce your reaction time 3. Road Rage: Dont lean on horn. It's a vicious cycle If you have done something wrong that caused a driver's anger, apologize The stats on aggressive driving and road rage show the extent of the problem. What is the required state minimum car insurance in each state? Comparison shopping should be easy. We want to help you make the right coverage choices. For instance, you may pass another vehicle on the right if it is waiting to turn left, but otherwise, pass on the left or stay in your lane and be patient. Our opinions are our own. Also called "overdose prevention centers," these are places where people can use drugs under . Road rage often comes from feeling stressed and being in a hurry. Unfortunately, making eye contact with angry drivers might enrage them further. For some people, driving incites a sort of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde mentality. Road rage is a dangerous problem on Americas roads. What are the common forms of road rage? You might not know what the definition is, but youve likely experienced road rage if youve been behind the wheel of a car. Another good reason to put some distance between you and a road rager is that it will be easier for you to avoid brake checks. 12 Frustration can also lead to selfish or competitive aggressive behaviorbehavior designed to achieve personal driving goals at the expense of others or the common good. Heres how to be preparedjust in case. Road rage can happen when drivers are running late. It can include speeding, tailgating, cutting off other drivers, and making rude or obscene gestures. Below are three factors that contribute to road rage and the potential consequences. Begin by being aware of the causes and doing your best to avoid them. It is important to be aware of the signs of road rage and to take steps to avoid it. Whatever the reason, it's important to try to stay calm while driving. In others, it is classified as a minor traffic violation. Why Should You Track Sudden Acceleration and Braking? When road rage poses a danger to you or other drivers, call 911 or dial 411 and ask to be connected to the local police department dispatch. Learn more about important road rage statistics and information and what you can do to avoid aggressive driving and becoming a victim of road rage. Ch4. ANSWER: 1.) Stay alert and be ready to brake swiftly, yet gently, if the other driver swerves in front of you or cuts you off and slams on their brakes. Wondering how to prevent drowsy driving? Pulling over, getting out, and engaging in a. Mentally or verbally cursing other drivers. We can make decisions not to drink and drive or leave our phones with us to focus more on the road. If a driver is behaving aggressively toward you and youre worried about your safety, contact the police. Road rage is a severe problem in the United States, with nearly 82% of drivers admitting to having road rage incidents at least once in the past year. 2. 2. Being courteous and driving safely is less likely to aggravate other road users who may already be stressed and short-tempered. Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident car insurance decisions. Here are a few key indicators: If you see another driver exhibiting any of these aggressive behaviors, giving them a wide berth is best. For vehicles driven by persons with a Class-DJ learner permit or a Class-DJ driver license, every occupant, no matter the age or seating position, must correctly use a safety restraint. If a law enforcement officer catches you engaging in road rage, you can be charged with a criminal offense. There are several reasons why road rage is on the rise. Want to brush up on your skills for free? Apologize when you are in the wrong. The best way to do this is by showing remorse. Allowing extra travel time. Learn more about how to easily parallel park with these 4 steps outlined by GEICO. Ch4. From lack of attention to carelessness, almost every driver has done something to make another driver angry. Read these four steps to parallel park like a pro! 3. So, what causes road rage? This can be done through public service announcements, educational materials, and even workshops. QuoteYeti.com is a promotional partner of Bankovia. Be sure to get enough sleep. Frustration at being slowed or thwarted from a driving goal can easily lead to anger. Road rage is a serious problem on Americas roads. If you fall into these categories, you should be extra conscious of your emotions and actions on the road. Pull over if you need to calm down. Take proper care of your body and mind to avoid these consequences. Anger levels can be significantly heightened amidst heavy traffic, while waiting too long for a parking spot, or during a negative encounter with a road cyclist. 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