Road Rage: How to Avoid Aggressive Driving Accidents

It’s easy to allow your emotions to get the best of you behind the wheel. Driving can be frustrating when you are stuck in traffic or cut off by someone more interested in a phone conversation than the road. But road rage and aggressive driving can lead to auto accidents.

In recent years, we’ve seen stories of tragic road rage accidents in the news locally. Many people heard about the newlywed N.J. man killed in a road rage crash this past summer. He was just 26-years-old.

We all have the potential to lose our temper, but turning that frustration into deadly driving behavior is not the answer.

What Qualifies as Road Rage?

The driving behaviors that constitute road rage depend on who you ask. Generally, speeding is recognized as the most common form of aggressive driving. Other examples include:

• Tailgating
• Unsafe lane changes
• Weaving in and out of traffic
• Passing on the right
• Honking your horn excessively
• Cursing or gesturing angrily
• Throwing items at other drivers
• Disregarding traffic signs and signals
• Chasing another vehicle

How Common Is Road Rage?

It’s difficult to quantify how many accidents are caused by road rage or aggressive driving. According to the Insurance Information Institute, aggressive driving is a significant factor in many accidents across the United States each year.

This issue has been ongoing for some time. According to the Institute’s analysis of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data, aggressive driving contributed to 56 percent of fatal crashes over a five-year period. A recent survey conducted by The Zebra revealed that 82 percent of drivers surveyed admitted that they had engaged in an act of road rage within the previous year, demonstrating just how prevalent the problem is across America.

One common type of aggressive driving that is easier to quantify is speeding. While motorists speed for a variety of reasons, driving too fast is frequently associated with road rage. According to NHTSA statistics, 9,478 people died in accidents caused by speeding in a single recent year, making it the leading cause of fatal crashes during that time.

Avoid Getting Agitated Behind the Wheel

Many people perceive New York and New Jersey roads as some of the most dangerous in the country. As a motorist on these highways and streets, you have a responsibility to remain level-headed. Stay calm even when other drivers are distracted, speeding, or otherwise getting under your skin.

Follow these tips to stay calm, cool, and collected.

1. Get plenty of rest. A study from the National Sleep Foundation found people who don’t get enough sleep may be more likely to drive aggressively.
2. Leave the house with ample time. When you are running late, slow drivers are more likely to annoy you. You’ll be more likely to speed, pass aggressively, and drive impatiently.
3. Don’t take it personally. When another driver cuts you off, don’t take it as a personal attack. Maybe it was a mistake, or they didn’t see you. Regardless of the cause, being insulted and angry about someone else’s driving won’t do any good.
4. Getting agitated while behind the wheel doesn’t have any positive effects. It won’t get you to your destination faster, and it won’t make other drivers comply with your wishes.
5. Have some manners. If someone needs to merge, let them in. If it looks like someone coming up on your rear is going too fast, move over and allow them to pass. When you practice being polite behind the wheel, other people’s driving behaviors are far less likely to frustrate you.

Get Legal Help from a New Jersey Car Accident Attorney Now

If you find yourself a victim of road rage, the New York and New Jersey injury attorneys of Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C., may be able to help. Call us today to discuss your case and your legal options. You can reach us for a free consultation at 1-800-LAW-2000.

This post was originally published in December 2013 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness in October 2021.

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Join the New Jersey “Walk Like MADD” Fundraising Walkathon Awareness Event

Injury and death caused by driving under the influence of alcohol remains a serious health hazard affecting thousands of Americans each year. For us at Davis, Saperstein & Salomon P.C., the fight against drunk driving is personal. As a college senior, Partner Steven Benvenisti, Esq., a personal injury attorney was hit by a drunk driver while crossing a street in Daytona Beach, Florida. His head struck the vehicle’s windshield, and he was thrown almost 70 feet.

Steven suffered a traumatic brain injury, crushed bones, and severe internal injuries. The worst call a parent could ever imagine was the call from a Florida hospital requesting permission to donate his organs. While most worried that he would not survive, he miraculously did. He underwent 15 surgeries and spent five months in the hospital. Over two years, he relearned to walk, studied law, and passed the multi-state bar exam becoming a personal injury attorney and partner at Davis, Saperstein & Salomon P.C. Ultimately, Steven fully recovered from his injuries and became a motivational speaker saving lives and educating students about the dangers of drinking and driving.

A Personal Connection

Today, Steven’s commitment to MADD endures. He served as Vice Chairperson of MADD National and as a Board member for seven years. He currently serves on MADD’s New Jersey Board of Directors as its Chairperson and advocates for victims of drunk driving crashes.

Most of all, Steven is proud of his legislative accomplishments including the mandatory installation of ignition interlock devices which prevents convicted drunk drivers from driving under the influence of alcohol.

Sadly, drunk drivers claimed the lives of more than 10,000 people in a recent year and injured 300,000 more. At Davis, Saperstein, and Salomon, P.C., our DUI crash attorneys are passionate supporters of Mothers Against Drinking and Driving (MADD) and its longtime effort to curb impaired driving in the United States. Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C. is an official sponsor for the NJ Walk Like MADD event. We encourage everyone to participate in MADD New Jersey’s Walk Like MADD fundraiser on Oct. 23.

More About MADD

MADD is a grassroots nonprofit organization that seeks to prevent drinking and driving, provides support to those affected by drunk driving crashes, works to stop underage drinking, and campaigns for stricter policies regarding impaired driving.

MADD was founded in 1980 in California when Candance Lightner’s teenage daughter was tragically killed in a drunk driving crash. Every U.S. state now has at least one MADD office, as do all Canadian provinces. MADD continues to provide alcohol safety education and also serves victims of drunk driving collisions.

Walk Like MADD Event

Every year, MADD hosts an annual event called Walk Like MADD, which takes place in states across the country, including New Jersey. This event is a time for the New Jersey community to come together to raise money and awareness for MADD’s cause, with the ultimate goal of bringing attention to the problem of drinking and driving and working to prevent it.

The New Jersey Walk Like MADD event will take place from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 23, at Saddle River County Park. You can check the event page for updates. If you have additional questions about the event, you can contact Tara Spohrer at tara.spohrer@madd.org.

Fighting Drunk Driving One Case at a Time

If a drunk driver injured you or a family member, turn to a legal team with personal insight into what you’re going through. Reach out to Davis, Saperstein, and Salomon, P.C. for a free consultation with an experienced and highly skilled lawyer. Call or contact us today.

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