How To Transition from Road Rage to Safe Driving
September 16th, 2015 by Eli P
Do you tailgate cars in front of you that are driving too slow? Do you hit your horn in anger at other drivers? Do you ever use obscene gestures or communicate angrily at another drivers?
If so, you may be engaging in road rage. Everyone has heard of the phenomenon of road rage, but not everyone knows it can lead to accidents, fatalities, and even murder. In fact, over a seven-year period, government agencies attributed 218 murders and 12,610 injuries to road rage.
What Is Road Rage?
The term was first used by a Los Angeles news station after several shootings on local city streets. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) defines road rage as deliberately committing a moving traffic offense that endangers other persons or property. This can include assault with a motor vehicle or other dangerous weapon by the operator or passenger of one motor vehicle against someone in a different vehicle.
According to the NHTSA, there is a difference between aggressive driving and road rage. If caught, aggressive driving results in a traffic offense, while road rage can result in criminal charges. The fault is typically placed on the driver who instigates the incident.
Turning Down the Volume
To defuse potential road rage situations, the first thing to do is back off from other aggressive drivers. If someone cuts you off, take a deep breath and remain calm. Recognize that you can’t control their behavior, but you can control your own.
It also helps to become more aware of your own aggressive driving habits, such as speeding, honking your horn, or making sudden lane changes. Then make a conscious effort to slow down and drive more considerately.
If another driver upsets you, don’t give in to feelings of anger or rage. Think twice before honking your horn or making an obscene gesture, as you never know how the other driver will react.
If you find yourself on the receiving end of road rage, don’t react or retaliate. Instead, remind yourself that the other driver is just bad at handling stress. Avoid eye contact, and continue to drive safely.
If a road rager causes damage to your car, bring it into your nearest Fix Auto USA location < https://fixautousa.com/locations/> and we’ll fix it fast. But always remember – getting home safely is more important than proving yourself right or teaching someone a lesson.
