As a New York motorist, you know firsthand how frustrating it is to be stuck in traffic when you are late to an appointment or trying to get to work. Slow drivers, construction zones and negligent motorists can make it difficult to get to where you are going and can cause a significant amount of stress on the way. In these types of situations, drivers may experience road rage or engage in aggressive driving behaviors.

In fact, at least 80% of drivers in the United States admit to having felt anger or road rage at some point within the last year, according to AAA. An estimated 56% of deadly car accidents involve at least one type of aggressive driving behavior.

Identifying the signs of road rage

It is critical that motorists are able to identify these dangerous driving behaviors so they can avoid becoming involved in a fatal car accident:

• Excessive lane changing
• Cutting off other vehicles or pulling out in front of them
• Speeding or racing other vehicles
• Excessive horn honking
• Yelling obscenities or using inappropriate hand gestures
• Following too closely or tailgating

Aggressive drivers may fail to yield to stop signs, traffic signals, pedestrian crosswalks or hazards in the road.

In some cases, drivers may get so enraged that they start a physical altercation with another motorist. Drivers may bump another vehicle with their car or exit their car and approach another driver.

Protecting yourself

If you spot aggressive drivers, avoid engaging with them at all costs. Do not exchange words or aggravate them in any way. Instead, alert law enforcement to the situation and allow officers to take control of the matter. This helps to minimize your risk of becoming injured by road rage or becoming involved in a deadly car accident.

This information is intended to educate and should not be taken as legal advice.