Road rage is when a driver gets furious behind the wheel and aggressively targets another driver. This can include the following behaviors:
- Tailgating
- Honking the horn excessively
- Speeding
- Cutting off others suddenly
- Rude gestures or attempting to shout out the window at other drivers
- Throwing objects from a vehicle
- Intentionally causing a car accident
- Getting out of the car in an attempt to confront another driver
- Even threatening to use or using a firearm
According to a recent poll by AAA Mid Atlantic, D.C. drivers believe aggressive driving is the leading threat to highway safety. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety says 80 percent of drivers in the U.S. have displayed aggression, anger and road rage while driving at least once in this last year. However, D.C. has experienced more extreme cases. Last year alone, a man shot another driver, a man bit a woman’s finger and even a police officer was arrested due to road rage incidents.
Tips on How to Avoid Road Rage Drivers
Road rage incidents can escalate quickly and can have disastrous consequences for both parties involved. If you find yourself targeted by a road rage driver, there are some steps you can take to avoid a confrontation or a car crash.
- Stay calm and don’t let the anger spread to you
- If someone is tailgating you, safely move out of the lane the first chance you get
- Avoid eye contact, and do not make any gestures
- Make sure you have enough room around your car, just in case you need to make an escape
- If a driver gets out of his or her car, stay inside yours as it offers protection
How Our D.C. Personal Injury Attorneys Can Help
In a road rage incident, rationality often goes out the window and it is easy for the situation to escalate to a dangerous level. If you are being followed, a driver is trying to run you off the road or has gotten out of the car to confront you, it is important that you call the police immediately and report the incident.
The Washington, D.C. personal injury attorneys at Koonz McKenney Johnson & DePaolis LLP help victims who have sustained injuries in a car crash caused by road rage incidents. Contact us today to speak to one of our attorneys.