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February 15, 2021

What is Road Rage?

According to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, road rage “is an angry, hostile state which can increase into violent, criminal actions, or attempts of violent actions, that result from the operation of a motor vehicle.  Road rage can include behavior to provoke others or to make them fearful. Aggressive driving is not road rage. However, aggressive driving can become road rage.  Aggressive driving generally involves violating a traffic safety law, while road rage involves breaking a criminal law.”

What are Common Road Rage Behaviors?

Typical forms of road rage are tailgating, yelling, honking in anger, making angry gestures, blocking another vehicle from changing lanes, cutting off another vehicle, physically exiting the vehicle to confront another driver, or bumping another car on purpose.

A Close Call Here in New York 

Last month, a dashcam captured an incident of road rage on the Palisades Parkway. It documented a battle between a Honda Accord and a Ford F150 truck. After both vehicles made many dangerous maneuvers, the Honda flipped over several times before stopping. Amazingly, no one was injured in this incident.

What to Do in a Road Rage Situation

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 56% of fatal motor vehicle accidents involved an enraged driver. Should you be confronted with an overly aggressive driver, it is recommended that you stay away by safely changing lanes, gradually slowing down, or even exiting the highway.

Avoid responding to an enraged driver. You do not want the situation to escalate. Do not stop, as this could lead to a personal confrontation. If you can, get the vehicle information, such as the license plate, make, and model.

Hazardous driving behaviors stemming from road rage lead to deadly car accidents every year.  Knowing how to identify these behaviors is essential to minimize your risk of becoming a victim of a road rage car accident.

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