Since the 1960s, fatalities from car wrecks overall have gone down nationwide — yet accidents and fatalities from aggressive driving climb every year. At Morrison & Hughes, our Alpharetta car accident lawyers have handled their fair share of Georgia crashes caused by drivers with road rage. Here's how to dodge road rage — and keep your own anger off the road.
Aggressive Driving Facts
Aggressive driving is any behavior that endangers its surroundings — other cars, people, animals, and property. It includes:
- Excessive speeding
- Not using signals to change lanes or turn
- Running red lights or other signs
- Following other vehicles too closely (tailgating)
- Chasing other vehicles
- Swerving through traffic and cutting off other vehicles
- Shouting, cursing, or threatening drivers or pedestrians
- Throwing objects at other drivers or pedestrians
- Honking excessively and for no reason
- Getting out of the vehicle to physically confront others
How To Avoid Road Rage
After reading those numbers, the question is simple: will you be part of the problem, or part of the solution? Follow these tips to keep your anger from getting the best of you:
- Above all, be a safe and respectful driver — there's no need to yell at others, including pedestrians and cyclists.
- Skip the rude gestures, and don't cut other drivers off; it only makes things worse.
- Use high beams only when necessary, and always signal before changing lanes or turning.
- Honk only when you need to, and keep the left lane for passing.
- Don't drive angry, upset, or tired.
- If you make a mistake, wave and apologize — everyone makes them.
- Drive at a reasonable speed, and don't assume your errands matter more than anyone else's.
- Move away from aggressive drivers and let them go around you; don't take reckless driving personally.
- Never chase or speed up to "teach a lesson" — it won't work.
- Report aggressive drivers: with a plate number or description, call a road-rage hotline. If you feel you're being attacked, call 911.
Injured by an Aggressive Driver?
Crashes caused by aggressive drivers can result in severe injuries and even wrongful death. With Morrison & Hughes on your side, you won't have to seek medical care, recover lost wages, or deal with an insurance company alone. The Big Guns will make your car accident claim their priority and give you the full support needed to close your case.