Over the past seven years, aggressive driving and road rage have been the cause of over 12,000 injuries and over 200 murders in the United States. And, of course, Florida comes in as the #1 most dangerous state for road rage incidents. From 2014 to 2016, there were 147 road rage cases involving a firearm. Wonderful.
Aggressive Driving vs. Road Rage
Aggressive Driving: Intentional, dangerous driving behaviors that have the potential to cause harm or damage. Think speeding, weaving, tailgating, and running red lights.
Road Rage: More extreme, intentional driving behaviors. Think profanity, hitting or bumping, sideswiping, and brake-checks.
Road Rage: More extreme, intentional driving behaviors. Think profanity, hitting or bumping, sideswiping, and brake-checks.
The Psychology
We are naturally inpatient, and what worse time and place to lose our patience than while driving a weapon amongst weapons. When we should be the most cautious and empathetic, we end up acting the most reckless and divisive. It's like we turn into the worst version of ourselves the moment we get behind the wheel.
Aggressive driving is such a huge issue, because each of us is capable of getting angry under the right circumstances. But are certain demographics more prone to aggressive driving behaviors?
According to the American Psychological Association (APA):
"Research suggests that young males are the most likely to perpetrate road rage. Environmental factors such as crowded roads can boost anger behind the wheel. Certain psychological factors, including displaced anger and high life stress, are also linked to road rage. In addition, studies have found that people who experience road rage are more likely to misuse alcohol and drugs."
Aggressive driving is such a huge issue, because each of us is capable of getting angry under the right circumstances. But are certain demographics more prone to aggressive driving behaviors?
According to the American Psychological Association (APA):
"Research suggests that young males are the most likely to perpetrate road rage. Environmental factors such as crowded roads can boost anger behind the wheel. Certain psychological factors, including displaced anger and high life stress, are also linked to road rage. In addition, studies have found that people who experience road rage are more likely to misuse alcohol and drugs."
Common Behaviors
Back in 2016, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety released a study citing reports of drivers throughout the country engaging in angry and aggressive behaviors.
What's scary is that it doesn't take long to notice any one of these behaviors on any given day. It's not just about getting from point A to point B; it's about avoiding these individuals who put every other driver's life at risk.
- Purposefully tailgating (104 million drivers)
- Yelling at another driver: 47 percent (95 million drivers)
- Honking to show annoyance or anger: 45 percent (91 million drivers)
- Making angry gestures: 33 percent (67 million drivers)
- Tying to block another vehicle from changing lanes (49 million drivers)
- Cutting off another vehicle on purpose (24 million drivers)
What's scary is that it doesn't take long to notice any one of these behaviors on any given day. It's not just about getting from point A to point B; it's about avoiding these individuals who put every other driver's life at risk.
"Oh, he shot out my back glass of my truck!"
Three young friends in North Carolina were driving when they supposedly cutoff another vehicle driven by a husaband and wife with their four-year old in the backseat. According to the driver of the first vehicle, "He got up beside me, leaned out the window, pointing at me, saying he's going to kill me."
The husband and wife began chasing them, even with their child in the back. They followed the three friends to a house. Video tape shows the husband getting out of the car, approaching one of the young men, and throwing a punch. Then a gun comes out.
The husband and wife began chasing them, even with their child in the back. They followed the three friends to a house. Video tape shows the husband getting out of the car, approaching one of the young men, and throwing a punch. Then a gun comes out.
What should have been a non-event turned into a national news story, all because one driver couldn't handle the fact that other cars exist on the road.
"Come on, you little punk!"
Just south of us in Flagler county this year, a man driving a pickup truck made a hand gesture at another man driving a motorcycle for going too fast. They both parked in the middle of a neighborhood and confronted each other. Soon came the punches, followed by the mugshots
Final Thoughts
A AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety study shows that 54% of all fatal motor vehicle crashes include aggressive driving as a factor. That's about 30 deaths and 1,800 injuries per year.
If there's anything that can be prevented, it's the damage caused by aggressive driving and road rage. Whether you're a young teen trying to showoff to your friends, running late for work, stressed about a personal problem, or displaying your dominance as Road Warrior, please take into consideration the plethora of negative consequences tied to aggressive driving.
If there's anything that can be prevented, it's the damage caused by aggressive driving and road rage. Whether you're a young teen trying to showoff to your friends, running late for work, stressed about a personal problem, or displaying your dominance as Road Warrior, please take into consideration the plethora of negative consequences tied to aggressive driving.
Alisa Wilkes is a Jacksonville, FL car accident lawyer.