First published on January 12, 2022 / 7:43 AM. If you are the one exhibiting road rage, the American Counseling Association offers these tips to control your anger. Past medical expenses for those incurred in the accident and before a settlement or a trial award. The nicest and kindest of people can turn vicious behind the wheel. For something that seems so familiar, it's surprising to learn that road rage doesn't really have any 'official' status. "So at that point in time, you should be trying to pull over in an area where there's a well-lit gas station," he explained. "There's nothing wrong with that. Surprisingly, a substantial number of those very same respondents admitted to engaging in aggressive driving practices. However, we still have to deal with aggressive drivers not to mention our own potential to get a bit snippy. He specializes in teaching defensive driving and stick shift driving. Plan ahead - Give yourself plenty of time on the road, Calm yourself - Listen to music you enjoy, relax your grip, Let them go - Move over if someone is tailgating you, Don't engage - Avoid eye contact with angry drivers and give them space, Practice polite driving - Lay off the horn, It's not you, it's them - Don't take an angry driver's aggression personally, Don't go home - If an aggressive driver follows you, drive to the nearest police station, Missing woman found alive after being stuck in mud for several days, Family honors Roderick Brooks 1 year after he was killed by deputy, Rockets' draft pick Amen Thompson sidelined after summer league injury. 3. Then, Martin recommends framing the conversation around how youre feeling. Never try to pull over on the side of a busy street or highway continue to the next exit, then find a safe place to stop the car. Past lost wages for those lost because of accident injuries before a settlement or a trial award. How to avoid road rage incidents and keep them from escalating - KHON2 Instead, strive to stay calm and speak with a soft voice. If your car is too hot, or youre listening to an upsetting podcast, you might be more likely to get agitated. Another way to prevent cases of road rage is to travel in the right lane not the left. Loss of consortium, if you can no longer have a physical relationship with your spouse because of accident injuries. According to the AAA, the number of road rage incidents involving shootings in the U.S. has increased yearly.In 2019 there were 694 such incidents with 39% of them resulting in injury or death. "There's nothing wrong with being right, and just letting someone go on their merry way," he said. All Rights Reserved. Suddenly accelerating or decelerating close to other drivers, continuously flashing lights, tailgating, brake checking, yelling, making lewd gestures, and constantly using the horn are all signs of escalating road rage. Its just a very dangerous issue we have happening right now, and its best not to take any chances. Excessive speeding is a form of aggressive driving. But is the perception that there are fewer police officers on the roads supported by evidence? What is road rage? We invite you to contact us and welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. Cell phone usage causes more than 25% of auto accidents in the US. What is Road Rage? Definition & Causes | GEICO Living Last year was the worst on record for road rage shootings in the United States, according to data released by Everytown for Gun Safety, which found that more than 500 people were shot and. Through our vehicle checks and approved dealer network, AA Cars helps you buy with confidence. AAA gives tips on how to avoid road rage. She noted there have been record increases in gun sales in recent years. While shootings are a growing problem, road rage isnt just about gun violence. There's a right way and a dangerous way to get of the way and Limani says that calling the police is always an option if someone on the road is being a hazard to you and other drivers. Greathouse Trial Law, LLC . If the aggressive driver continues to follow you, get off at the next exit and wait a few minutes before you get back on the highway. Aggressive driving often leads to road rage, so its essential to understand both terms. Don't over-react to someone else's bad driving or obsess about it unless you have to. No reader of this post should act or refrain from acting based on any information included in or accessible through this post without seeking the appropriate legal or other professional advice on the particular facts and circumstances at issue from a lawyer licensed in the recipients state, country or other appropriate licensing jurisdiction. I often suffer from road rage. Some people enjoy passing you and then slowing down, for mysterious passive-aggressive reasons of their own. You shouldnt just normalize it and say, This is how I am on the road, Cohen said. Experts say the rise in road-rage-related shootings is a quantifiable slice of an alarming problem. Now, increasingly, guns are getting involved and it ends with deadly results. You might say, Hey, Im feeling really scared right now. That approach will let them know in a passive way that what theyre doing is leading you to feel a bit anxious, he said. The Lancet-World Psychiatric Association Commission on depression said that depression is a global health crisis. Driving recklessly (or aggressive driving) without intent to cause harm is considered a traffic offense. Burd-Sharps said that although theres not enough data at this point to know for certain what is driving the increase in road violence, she feels its probably a mix of multiple factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic. Stop a safe distance away from them, then call the police to report the incident. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. If the other person approaches you, increase the space between you. You should call first responders, though. Finally, contact your car accident attorney. Still, not all people with irritable temperaments will display road rage, he said. See additional information. It's not always possible of course, but if you manage it, you're less likely to be overly upset by traffic jams. Open wounds can lead to secondary injuries, which you can also recover compensation for, such as infections from open wounds and psychological therapy. Road rage: How to calm or protect yourself - The Washington Post Read Greathouse Trial Laws blog to learn how to avoid road rage accidents. Combine all that, and its easy to see why some people have less of an inner buffer for dealing with things that provoke them on the road, he said. It often starts with a faster driver wanting you to get out of the way. Loading. They outlined steps we need to take, If youre considering meeting with a psychiatrist but prefer remote visits, online psychiatry may be right for you. You will need it if you were not able to obtain the at-fault drivers contact and insurance information. Pandemic stress may be partially to blame, Why Gen Z Has Been Hit Hard by Pandemic Stress, The COVID-19 Pandemic Can Make You Want to Scream and That Could Be Helpful, Why Experts Are Calling Depression a Global Health Crisis Right Now, 9 Best Online Psychiatry Services for 2023, Toxic Positivity Is Real and Its a Big Problem During the Pandemic, Pete Davidson Checks Into Rehab for PTSD, Other Mental Health Issues, The 8 Best Online Eating Disorder Support Groups, Why Betrayal Can Cause Trauma and How to Start Healing, Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT. And, last but not least, you are more likely to remember pertinent facts relating to the accident right after it. "I'm not saying that you have to, I'm just saying to prevent road rage," Limani suggested. Keep your distance from any driver who seems to be "playing games with you. Log in or register to manage your account online, Anger management - how to prevent road rage. You might even be tempted to speed up to teach that idiot driver a lesson. He gave examples like throwing objects at another car, yelling and threatening another person, and attempting to ram another vehicle or road user. Ain't nobody got time for that negative energy. Yikes. It is easy to let other peoples choices affect how we react. This article was co-authored by Ibrahim Onerli. The court orders both types of damages in an attempt to make you whole again by ordering the defendant to pay for injuries you otherwise would not have suffered if not for his or her actions. How to Avoid a Road Rage Incident - The Pendas Law Firm . If an aggressive driver wrecks and the wreck doesnt involve you, stop a safe distance from the accident to report it. No need to be inconsiderate to drivers around you by making obscene gestures at people trying to merge into your lane. Copyright 2021. Making your car a happy, peaceful place will help keep your road anger at bay. Our personal injury law firm aims to serve the great people of Atlanta and to give a voice to the voiceless. The first step to preventing road rage, Cohen said, is to stay home if youre not emotionally equipped to drive safely. I will. Finally, if you ask for punitive damages, the trial is bifurcated. Allow enough room around your vehicle. 1, 2023 at 3:55 PM PDT During the investigation, troopers discovered that Michael Sandifer, 33, was driving a 2015 Nissan Altima south on I-49. Either back off if they pull too close in front of you, or if they are driving next to you on a multi-lane highway, try to move over another lane. Thats why its so easy, when you see someone being careless, to become livid with rage. But, as he points out, we can probably all remember a time when we didnt look carefully when we changed lanes and accidentally cut someone off. In the case of a wrongful death caused by a road rage accident, funeral, burial, and/or cremation expenses. The monthly average of 44 people killed or wounded by gunfire on the roads was double the 2019 average. To prevent incidents, you must avoid offending other drivers, stop engaging with aggressive drivers, and adjust your attitude. There are probably two main factors driving the increase in shootings on the road, said Sarah Burd-Sharps, research director for Everytown. To prevent road rage from escalating, you must avoid engaging aggressive drivers. Here are some helpful ways to avoid road rage and keep everyone safe. January 12, 2022 / 7:43 AM Driving recklessly Changing speeds suddenly, without warning Failing to yield right of way Failing to obey traffic laws Failing to observe warnings or instructions on vehicle displaying them Failing to signal Driving too fast for conditions or in excess of posted speed limit Racing other vehicles Turning when it's not allowed or in a careless way If youre being pursued by a rageful driver, resist engaging in any way. Researchers say incidents of road rage and road rage-related shootings have been on the rise in recent years. Use your horn if another driver doesn't seem to see you while backing out of a parking space. People could easily bring their frustrations with them into the vehicle, which could negatively affect their driving behaviors.. Ibrahim trains and manages a team of over eight driving instructors. While the money does not erase your injuries or bring a loved one back, it does reduce the financial stress of worrying about providing for your family. https://atltriallaw.com. However, responding to aggressive driving with more aggressive driving will only lead to road rage incidents. A survey was conducted by the AAA Foundation. What are some ways I can avoid an aggressive driver? PDF AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety Driving Aggressive Road Rage If you have a cell phone, use it to call for police. Dallas, Texas road rage: How many in 2022? How can you avoid it While we may not be in control of UK government policing policy, we can control or at least try to our own attitude and behaviour. His mission is to make the world a better place by teaching safe driving. You can tell if a driver is escalating by noticing his or her behavior. If you notice someone driving aggressively, get of their way. 2. "I am giving a speech tomorrow at Toastmasters about road rage. If an aggressive driver starts following you, don't go home. 2023, Even when the unexpected happens. While each insurance company has its own definition of long-term or permanent disabilities, the Social Security Administration defines them as a disability that doctors expect to last more than 12 months or to result in your death. Before discussing how to avoid road rage accidents, we must first define the term and understand how it overlaps with aggressive drivers. 1, 2023 at 3:55 PM PDT News Do your best to adjust to the speed of cars around you or merge into the right lane. Regardless of the action, a driver who drives aggressively has a disregard for the safety of other drivers on the road. Then, drive somewhere safe, like a police station. 1. 18 November 2019. Why are they happening? It's okay. You should only use cruise control in situations where you can drive safely at the same speed for extended periods of time use manual control in stop-and-go traffic situations. 8 tips to help drivers avoid road rage - ABC13 Houston (If they continue to sit still, you can honk. You need to enable JavaScript to run this app. Read Greathouse Trial Law's blog to learn how to avoid road rage accidents. This can depend on how the police report reads. 3 Ways to Avoid Road Rage - wikiHow Health However, in this case, unless the other driver is calm, do not approach him. Dont tailgate other drivers, brake-check the car behind you, or make obscene gestures. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.