As a Kentucky motorist, you may be familiar with sharing the road alongside aggressive drivers. In fact, you may have engaged in aggressive driving behaviors at some point in your life as well. According research conducted by AAA, more than 80 percent of Americans admit to having participated in the dangerous practice. While it seems to be common, aggressive behaviors can turn deadly when driving next to other vehicles on the road.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that road rage was involved in 56 percent of deadly car accidents during a five-year period. It is critical that you are able to identify the signs of an aggressive driver, so that you may avoid becoming involved in a deadly car accident. Signs of road rage may include the following:
- Speeding and erratic lane changing
- Failing to adhere to traffic signals and signs
- Tailgating or following too closely behind another vehicle
- Using hand gestures and yelling at other drivers
- Failing to yield to other vehicles’ right of way
- Racing
In some cases, drivers with road rage may approach another driver in their vehicle and start an altercation. They may hit or bump into other vehicles as well, sending them flying off of the road. If you do spot an aggressive driver, it is important to avoid interacting with them. Instead, you should call law enforcement and alert them to the problem. By doing so, you may save a catastrophic accident from occurring.
This information is intended to educate and should not be taken as legal advice.