Traffic jams and long commutes often make people feel frustrated. It is relatively common to see drivers yelling inside their vehicles or making angry gestures at other motorists. Sometimes, that natural frustration boils over and results in a road rage incident.
Road rage can be incredibly dangerous. Those who simply want to reach their destination safely may end up seriously injured because someone else cannot control their emotional reactions in traffic. The following are some of the most serious risks that drivers need to watch for when they notice another driver succumbing to road rage.
The possibility of an assault
Safety advocates note a significant increase in road rage incidents in recent years that have resulted in assaults or even shootings. The driver who gets angry about someone else’s conduct in traffic may follow them until they pull off onto the shoulder or reach their destination. At that point, they may exit their vehicle and try to start a fight. Motorists who notice that another driver has aimed their road rage at them may want to pursue an alternate route as soon as possible to avoid an altercation with the road rage driver.
The risk of an intentional crash
Sometimes, road rage drivers lash out at others in traffic by swerving into their lane or merging in front of them and slamming on their brakes. Their actions may cause a collision that would otherwise not occur. Drivers interacting with a motorist expressing rage near them in traffic may need to watch that driver carefully for signs they intend to cause issues.
Increased personal distraction
While monitoring the conduct of a road rage driver is necessary for safety, it forces a motorist to split their attention. Instead of simply watching traffic conditions and the control gauges in their vehicle, they have to split their attention by continuing to observe the infuriated driver. As the other driver gesticulates angrily, drives unpredictably or screams through their window, they can prevent people from responding appropriately to traffic conditions. Even though it may increase drive time, changing routes as soon as a motorist identifies a road rage driver nearby may be the best way to stay safe.
Those injured in a road rage incident or dealing with property damage losses caused by road rage may need help handling the aftermath of the incident, and that’s okay. Drivers may be able to file insurance claims in some cases. Pursuing civil litigation after a car crash caused by a road rage driver could also be an option. Avoiding road rage incidents whenever possible and responding appropriately when they occur can help people limit the economic hardship they might otherwise experience due to the poor choices of others.