According to a national auto club, about 80% of American drivers admit to having irate driving tendencies occasionally. Finding out that almost eight million drivers of motor vehicles claim to have engaged in specific types of road rage is particularly shocking. This included purposefully ramming into another car and threateningly approaching other drivers while still in a car.
In light of the aforementioned, how would you rate yourself?
Check any item that describes your own driving habits from the list of characteristics of aggressive driving below.
Which of the following best describes your driving behavior?
• Have you purposefully tailgated another vehicle?
• Have you gone much faster than the permitted speed limit?
• Have you ever run through an amber or red light?
• Have you slithered through traffic and cars?
• Have you yelled at another driver with a louder voice?
• Have you honked your horn and slammed on the brakes to express your rage at another driver?
• Have you made any hand gestures to show how angry and frustrated you are?
• Have you made any attempts to stop other drivers from swerving into other lanes of traffic?
• Have you purposefully passed another driver off the road?
Everybody becomes enraged occasionally. We are all human, and by nature, we are flawed. However, unchecked anger can be a very dangerous emotion that causes regrettable actions.
The danger is obviously much greater when anger is visibly present while driving. It can cause aggressive behavior that intimidates, bullies, or incites other drivers, which can lead to physical harm, injury, and the tragic loss of life. This is generally untrue, despite what an aggressive driver who believes his auto insurance will save him might believe.
In fact, insurance companies don’t accept any liability for drivers who choose to use risky or illegal driving practices on purpose.
As one insurance professional so aptly put it, “If you drive aggressively, don’t count on your auto insurance policy to defend you. Anyone on the road is at risk when driving while enraged, in addition to you. If you drive carelessly, you will be subject to all legal and financial repercussions on your own.”
The auto club that conducted the study in question offers some wise words of wisdom in its conclusion.
1. Never force another driver to alter his speed or direction so that you can react in kind.
2. Be understanding of other drivers’ behavior and resist the urge to become enraged by it.
3. Avoid making eye contact or gesturing in return if a driver is acting irrationally on the road. Try to keep your distance, and if you feel that your safety might be in danger, call the police.