It is common to feel angry while navigating through traffic on a busy day in North Carolina. Whether caught behind a slow motorist or rushing to get to an important appointment, it is frustrating to get caught in a busy rush of vehicles. In fact, more than 80% of drivers in the U.S. admit to having feelings of road rage while behind the wheel at some point within the last year, according to AAA.
Road rage is often accompanied by aggressive driving behaviors, which can put everyone on the road at risk. Being able to spot the signs of road rage can help minimize your risk of becoming involved in a deadly accident and may save others’ lives as well.
Aggressive driving behaviors may include the following:
- Excessive horn honking, making obscene hand gestures or yelling expletives
- Speeding or racing other vehicles
- Driving too closely or tailgating
- Blocking and/or cutting off other drivers on purpose
- Failing to yield to other drivers’ right-of-way
- Failing to adhere to stop signs and traffic signals
In some cases, road rage can escalate to the point where angry drivers get out of their vehicles and confront other motorists. Drivers with road rage may become violent and physically aggressive towards others.
If you find yourself getting angry while driving, there are some things you can do to prevent an accident from occurring. First, take deep breaths, relax your muscles and cool down. It is much important to arrive safely at your destination, even if you are a bit late. Listen to calm music or an audio book to relax you. If you run into an aggressive driver, avoid making eye contact. Try not to yell back or exchange heated words. Instead, call law enforcement officers and make them aware of the issue.