Road rage is the anger or frustration of one motorist caused by another and expressed as aggressive driving. The angry or violent behavior can take on the form of rude gestures, verbal insults, tailgating, or speeding up to pass a vehicle and then braking suddenly, forcing the other motorist to slam on their brakes also. These acts are intended to “punish” the other motorist for driving behavior that the enraged motorist deems irritating.
The problem with this mindset is that one driver's behavior can invoke such dangerous behavior in another driver. Each person is responsible for their own actions, and careless driving maneuvers of another person are never justification for aggressive driving.
This means that road rage and the accidents and violence that can come from road rage are all absolutely avoidable.
We've all found ourselves in a situation where another driver does something risky or careless so they can position themselves where they need to be in traffic. How you react to their thoughtlessness makes all the difference.
The American Psychological Association has created a mental test to help you determine just what type of driver you are. Say, for instance, someone cuts you off in traffic. It's happened to all of us- but how do you react? The APA categorizes drivers into three main types: 1) breathes deeply and continues on his or her away, 2) honks before continuing on, or 3) repeatedly honks while yelling, or worse- leaving no doubt that they are highly agitated.
The third type of driver is defined as a “high-anger driver.” This type of driver lives a stressful life and is easily angered by outside factors. Luckily, even this type of driver is not beyond help through relaxation techniques and self-monitoring.
Read More: What to do After a Hit and Run Accident
Tips for Preventing Road Rage
Do you know how to prevent road rage? The following are some tips for keeping all drivers- especially those who are easily angered- calm, cool, and collected while behind the wheel.
- Play relaxing music. Instead of hard rock or other kinds of music that stimulate you, opt for more relaxing tunes, such as classical, new age, or even jazz.
- Find a happy place. When another motorist does something to annoy you, try to think of that special person, place, or thing that always makes you happy, and put the other driver out of your mind.
- Respond in a composed manner. Emotions are our natural response to stimuli, but don't let them control you. If a situation bothers you, take a deep breath, exhale and repeat until you feel in control.
- Report dangerous driving. If you witness another motorist taking unnecessary risks or putting others in harm's way, pull over when it is safe and report the motorist by dialing 911.
CONTACT OUR DENVER CAR ACCIDENT LAWYERS
If an aggressive driver has caused your accident, you need to know that the law is on your side. Road rage is against the law and so is driving recklessly. You are entitled to compensation for lost wages, medical expenses, long-term care, and pain and suffering. To learn more about your legal options, contact our Denver car accident law firm today.
