Road Rage and Aggressive Driving Behaviour: Causes and prevention

Have you ever been in a position where you are driving in your own lane on the road and another vehicle is speeding through traffic or frequently changing lanes while annoying you with obnoxious gestures like comments and honking as if you should move over for them? That is road range behavior.

Whether you are a driver or a passenger, chances are you will witness or participate in an aggressive driving incident at some point.

Definition

Road rage can be defined as aggressive driving that results from conflicts with other drivers.

Road rage and aggressive driving are not the same thing, despite the fact that aggressive driving intensifies road rage.

To differentiate them, we can say Aggressive driving is an intentional driving safety violation that endangers other people's property. This is commonly accompanied by behavior such as speeding while tailgating in a crowded area, red light flashing, navigating in and out of traffic, forcefully overtaking another driver, and frequent changing of lanes. Road rage is extreme-purposeful, hazardous driving that puts another person or their property at serious risk. Common behavioral traits are Inappropriate or inflammatory gestures, crashing into, bumping into, sideswiping, or ramming another vehicle, Intimidation or harassment of other drivers through the use of headlights or brakes, and taking another vehicle off the road. 

Road rage or aggressive driving can be regarded as one of the factors that causes accidents.

Causes of Road rage

Road rage comes in two types. Habitual road rage which is an aggressive driving style learnt by a driver and Situational road rage which is dependent on the circumstances in which the driver finds themselves, such as when they receive unfavorable news and unconsciously drive aggressively.

One of the major causes of road rage is anger, and this is triggered by the following situations;

• Gridlock or heavy traffic

• Stress

• Delays or detours caused by construction

• Driving while distracted 

• Blaring music

• Driving slowly

• Making vulgar gestures at other drivers

• Tailgating: is the practice of following the driver in front of you too closely.

•  Changing lanes and cutting another driver 

• Lane changes that are erratic and dangerous

• Excessive use of the car horn

• Flashing headlights
  

  

Preventive measures

• Keep an appropriate distance between your car and the other cars on the road.

• Always convey your intentions using your turn signals.

• Allow space for other vehicles to merge.

• Avoid using inflammatory language or abusive hand gestures.

• No matter if you are in traffic, waiting for a parking spot, or at a crossroads, exercise patience.

• If it is not absolutely required to see, do not use your high beams.

What to do if someone is driving irately, or you are in a road rage situation

The best course of action in a situation involving road rage is to maintain your composure and concentrate on reaching your destination safely. Avoid conversing with the other driver and ignore any comments or gestures that are directed at you. Avoid making eye contact, and make sure the seat belts are fastened in the event of emergency braking. Avoid returning home if someone is tailing you because of a road rage incident; instead, try to stop at a police station or in a populated place.

In conclusion, your safety, as well as the safety of your car, is absolutely crucial in cases of road rage. Therefore, make every effort to abide by all traffic laws and regulations.