As a Washington motorist, you know the difficulties of getting through traffic, especially if you are late to work or an important appointment. When some people are stuck in these conditions, however, they transition into an aggressive driver in an attempt to get where they are going. You may have even had road rage at some point, as AAA reported nearly 80 percent of American drivers admit to engaging in these aggressive tendencies. While it may seem common to see an enraged driver, road rage can cause catastrophic car accidents that can injure and even kill unsuspecting victims.
Law enforcement officers encourage drivers to be on the lookout for aggressive drivers. By understanding the signs of road rage, you will be better able to spot an aggressive driver and possibly prevent an accident. These signs and behaviors include the following:
- Obsessive horn honking, yelling, using hand gestures
- Speeding and erratically switching lanes through vehicles
- Cutting off other vehicles and hitting the brakes
- Failing to adhere to traffic signs, signals and crosswalks
- Failing to yield to drivers’ right of way and pulling out in front of drivers
- Racing other vehicles
People with road rage pose a dangerous risk to other motorists. Yet, if you spot one, refrain from making eye contact or exchanging words as this may escalate the situation. Instead, inform law enforcement of the problem so they can take care of it before an accident occurs.
This information is intended to educate and should not be taken as legal advice.
