Rush hour traffic in Tennessee can be frustrating. Especially if you are on your way to an important meeting or running home from a long day at work. If you have felt feelings of rage while navigating the busy roadways, you are not alone.
Many drivers in Tennessee and throughout the country have felt road rage at least once within the past year. What you may not know is that the dangerous driving behaviors that often accompany road rage can be deadly and are responsible for a multitude of accidents, injuries and deaths.
The facts
Over a five-year period, aggressive driving behaviors were involved in 56% of deadly motor vehicle accidents across the U.S., according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Furthermore, speeding is involved in more than one-third of all fatal car accidents. While hazardous driving behaviors lead to deadly accidents, injuries and deaths, many people continue to get frustrated when behind the wheel.
The signs
How can you identify a driver with road rage? These drivers often exhibit hazardous driving behaviors, including the following:
- Honking excessively, using obscene hand gestures or yelling
- Racing other vehicles or speeding
- Following too closely
- Blocking other drivers from changing lanes or cutting off other drivers
- Failing to adhere to traffic signals or other drivers’ right of way
- Intentionally hitting other vehicles or approaching other drivers with the intent to cause harm
Road rage can escalate to physical violence, shootings and even deaths. If you should spot a driver with road rage, it is important to call law enforcement as soon as possible. This can minimize the chances for a serious accident.