Nearly 80% of us have encountered an aggressive driver. You know the type. They’re the car dangerously accelerating behind you, lights flashing and horn blaring. You have no idea what set them off, but you do know that you’d better get out of their way and fast!
Knowing what triggers these drivers is the first step in protecting yourself and your passengers on the road.
What triggers an aggressive driver?
There are a variety of things that trigger aggressive drivers. They could be having a bad day and are taking it out on anyone who gets in their pathway. A fight with their spouse could have them hating women drivers.
Road ragers often don’t see the human behind the wheel. They just know that they are running late and they decide to blame the car in front of them.
Traffic jams and delays are enough to make anyone frustrated. An aggressive driver tends to take it too far, though. They may be driving at dangerous speeds on the shoulder, thinking they can skirt around traffic. When they reach a dead end, they are furious.
Drugs and alcohol also trigger road rage. When a person who drives aggressively is high behind the wheel, all bets are off. It’s everyone else’s job to avoid an accident by getting out of their way.
What can you do to protect yourself from aggressive drivers?
As soon as you notice the driver speeding behind you, get out of the way. Pull off to the side of the road and call 9-1-1 to report the driver. You could save lives by doing this. Also, take note of the aggressive driver’s license plate number (if you can). The more information you give the dispatcher, the easier it will be for the police to pull them over.
If you are injured in a road rage accident contact an experienced legal guide.