The term “road rage” became popular in the 1990s for describing drivers who are involved in incidents of rude gestures, aggressive driving, and even violence.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration clearly distinguishes aggressive driving from road rage. Road rage is classified as a criminal offense and aggressive driving is defined as a traffic offense.
Regardless of precise definitions, road rage can undoubtedly cause aggressive driving. In turn, that can lead to serious car accidents.
Speeding
Speeding is the second most common cause of car accidents in the U.S.
When drivers become angry and experience road rage, they can often speed, putting themselves and other drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians in danger.
Speed limits are in place for a reason. When a vehicle travels faster than it should on a certain road, it will take longer to slow down when there is an obstacle or problem. In turn, accidents are far more likely to happen. Even a small increase in speed can create a higher risk of being involved in a collision.
When drivers let their emotions rule, they can soon forget how important it is to be aware of the speed limit and the speed at which they are traveling.
While people who are injured in car accidents in which another is liable can gain compensation by hiring experienced personal injury lawyers like those at daveabels.com, you should remember to follow road safety rules to lessen the risk of being involved in a road accident in the first place.
Ignoring Traffic Signs
When drivers are aggressive and raging down the road, they could ignore stop signs, red lights, yield signs, and other signage. They may also fail to take the proper precautions when driving through construction zones.
That means those drivers are unpredictable and dangerous. Other drivers could struggle to react in the right way, and that could cause nasty accidents.
Weaving Through Traffic
Road-rage drivers tend to weave in and out of traffic, and they often do it at high speed. When they change lanes abruptly and cut off other drivers, they are increasing the risk of an accident occurring.
Some road-ragers weave in and out of traffic in the attempt to get to their destinations quicker, while others try to pursue drivers that they believe did something wrong. Regardless of the reason for traffic weaving, it can be very dangerous.
Intending Obstruction
When angry drivers feel another driver wronged them, they could attempt to block that vehicle.
Obstructing another vehicle, such as blocking off a lane that the driver is trying to access, can cause accidents not just for the two vehicles but for other vehicles on the road as well.
Running Drivers Off the Road
In more serious road rage incidents, aggressive drivers can try to run other drivers off the road.
If a driver is intentionally trying to harm someone by doing something like crashing into their car, it will almost always end up in an accident.
While such incidents are rarer than things like speeding and weaving through lanes, attempting to run drivers off the road does happen.
In Summary
While distracted driving is the number one cause for car accidents in the U.S., and other things like drunk driving and weather conditions are leading causes for road accidents, road rage can increase the likelihood of various types of car accidents occurring.
Speeding is the most common cause of accidents by drivers who are aggressive. Ignoring traffic signs, weaving through traffic, and obstructing vehicles are also leading causes of car accidents by drivers experiencing road rage.
Make sure you do not lose your temper when driving and always pay attention to the rules of the road to ensure you and others do not become injured.
