Lesson Four: Road Rage (8.4)

Driving can be very stressful, especially when traffic is heavy, unexpected delays occur, or other drivers do not communicate properly. Many situations outside of the vehicle are out of your control and that can be frustrating. Your attitude and emotional state are heavily impacted by many factors (school, relationships with family and friends, stress, etc.). The responses to these situation can influence how you operate a vehicle, even before you start to drive.

Extreme emotions of any kind, positive or negative can affect your driving. Every driver is responsible for operating their vehicle in a manner that causes no harm.

Road Rage

Road rage is an assault with a motor vehicle or other dangerous weapon by the operator or passenger(s) of another motor vehicle caused by an incident that occurred on a roadway.

Aggressive driving

Aggressive driving is the commission of two or more moving violations that is likely to endanger other persons or property, or a single intentional violation that requires a defensive reaction of another driver.

Aggressive Driving Enforcement

Other roadway users are experiencing their own attitudes and emotions that we are unaware of. Their actions may not be intentionally aggressive or directed toward any specific vehicle. Give them space and do not engage. If you are the victim of an aggressive/road rage which places you in potential danger, do not engage. Find a safe location and call 911. Be prepared to provide a license plate and location.

Signs of Road Rage Behavior

• Tailgating
• Cutting in and out of traffic
• Aggressive lane changes
• Excessive horn usage
• Flashing headlights
• Dramatic hand gestures
• Brake checking
• Preventing others from passing

The consequences for acts of road rage and aggressive driving vary from a traffic ticket to incarceration. Injuries or death can result in prison time.

Preventing Road Rage

There will be times when you feel anger or frustration while driving or sitting in traffic. To prevent road rage from taking over, you can practice techniques that help manage those emotions. First, it is important to recognize when those negative emotions start to intensify; then take long, deep breaths, relax tense muscles,  envision calming thoughts. Controlling your emotions will help you effectively manage the driving task.

You cannot control other drivers but you can control how you respond to them.

 What to do in a road rage situation