Road rage is frighteningly common on American roads. What is even worse than the rage itself is what it produces: studies indicate that over the period of five years, more than 50 percent of all fatal accidents in the US were a result of aggressive driving.
In order to keep yourself safe while traveling, knowing how to recognize and handle road rage is paramount. According to Geico, there are tell-tale signs of road rage that other drivers may exhibit, and you can avoid road rage yourself with a few simple actions.
The signs of road rage
Most of the time, drivers exhibiting road rage will engage in aggressive driving tactics. For instance, a driver that is tailgating you is likely an angry driver. Some drivers will also start swerving between lanes erratically in an attempt to pass cars.
If you suspect that road rage is influencing a driver’s actions, the best thing to do is try to get out of the way. This may mean slowing down to let the enraged driver pass, or even exiting off of a highway or turning off of a main street.
Avoiding road rage
Try to give yourself plenty of time to arrive at your destination. Many road rage episodes come as the result of running late to an appointment or to work. You also should never tailgate other drivers, even if you are late. Either attempt to go around them, or take another route is possible.
Keep in mind that other drivers are human, too. The person driving slowly in front of you might not know where they are. Remembering the humanity of your fellow drivers can go a long way toward making the roads safer for everybody.
