It’s not hard for Florida drivers to become frustrated on the road: another vehicle may be traveling too slowly, traffic might be backed up or the weather might be bad. Whatever the case, that frustration could lead to road rage, which can be deadly. These are some statistics on this serious problem.
Road rage is shockingly common
Road rage, a form of aggressive driving, is one of the biggest causes of motor vehicle accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), around 66% of all traffic deaths are caused by this problem. Data show that around 300 traffic fatalities since 2013 have been caused by road rage.
In a shocking statistic, 82% of people admitted to committing acts of road rage in 2019. Also, over seven years, nearly 12,700 injuries and over 200 murders were caused by road rage. The NHTSA describes various acts of aggressive driving during acts of road rage. Among them are tailgating, ignoring traffic signs, signals and laws, abruptly changing speeds, failing to yield the right of way and chasing another vehicle.
The most common act of road rage is excessive horn-honking, which accounts for more than 45% of instances. Nearly 39% of drivers also claim that they have witnessed others making nasty hand gestures. Many drivers state that they get angry when witnessing a driver distracted by their cell phone.
Handling road rage drivers
If you encounter a driver who appears to be in the midst of road rage, remain as calm as possible. Don’t engage them as the situation could quickly escalate. Instead, if someone is tailgating you or driving erratically, move out of their way. Letting the heated driver pass is the best way to respond.
Road rage occurs when a driver’s emotions get the better of them. It can lead to blind rage and cost lives.