Dealing with Road Rage

Road Rage is the violent behavior a driver exhibits in an attempt to punish a perceived 'mistake' by another traffic participant, who is seen as the 'offender'. Such road rage can be as simple as offensive gestures in the direction of the 'offender'. It becomes more dangerous, when the driving becomes more aggressive. In those cases, road rage is exhibited by for example driving too close to the 'offender' in an effort to 'push' the 'offender' out of the way. Or by passing the 'offender', then cutting in front of him/her and pushing sharply on the brakes. In extreme cases, the 'offender' has been shot at or otherwise been attacked by a deadly weapon.

Anybody, who has been a traffic participant, has most likely been subject to a form of road rage at one time or another. A high percentage has most likely also exhibited road rage at least once. Nobody is immune to the behavior. However, while road rage behavior has been around for a long time, in recent years road rage incidents have not only increased in number but also in terms of aggressiveness.

The increased number of cars can explain the increase in road rage incidents on the roads. Additionally, we lead increasingly busy lives forcing us to rush from one location to another. This high stress level increases the likelihood of outbursts.

The increased aggressiveness most likely stems from a driver's prior unsuccessful attempts to correct an 'offender's' 'wrong' behavior. The stronger the attack, the greater the satisfaction that one has 'taught the other driver a lesson'. Thus, the more often one engages in road rage behavior, the likelier it is that such behavior becomes more and more aggressive and more and more dangerous.

So what can be done about road rage? On a personal level, behave defensively. Follow the rules of the road. If somebody is showing signs of road rage aimed at you, try and remain calm. Try to get out of the driver's way and stay away from him/her. Be observant and prepare to react defensively, if further attacks are aimed at you. Attempt to note the license plate number, in case something goes wrong and the attacker takes off. Under no circumstances should you return an attack. This puts you on the same dangerous level as the person exhibiting the road rage and only serves to further escalate the situation. Don't smile, don't make offensive gestures, and don't do anything that could further irritate the attacker. Remember, your life could be at stake. In extreme road rage cases, people have been pursued and attacked by deadly weapons. The situation is dangerous enough as it is, you don't want to provoke the behavior to the point that you lose your life.

This does not mean you have to live with the bad behavior. There are other ways to get even. The wonderful world of the Internet provides you with the means to report drivers exhibiting road rage. You can report the license plate to RoadRagers.com, AboveAverageDriver.com, or PlateWire.com. You can also go and file a police report, because road rage behavior is at the very least careless or reckless driving as it endangers the public safety. Of course, it's often one word against the other. Thus, witnesses are needed. Depending on the outcome of the road rage, it can also be charged as vehicular assault and battery or vehicular homicide.

On a public level, the federal government as well as state governments are working on measures to curtail road rage. Programs are prepared to educate the public about road rage. Improvements are sought to enforce the rules and to deter and punish aggressive behavior in traffic situations. Additionally, safer road designs are considered.