Nighttime Driver

What is Road Rage?

Road Rage is driving a vehicle in an aggressive manner that could endanger the safety or property of another driver, motorcyclist, bicyclist, or pedestrian.

Some examples of driver behaviors during Road Rage incidents:

  • Speeding or driving too fast for conditions
  • Running red lights/ stop signs
  • Tailgating/following too closely
  • Improper lane changes, passing, or turning
  • Illegally driving on the shoulder of the road (emergency lane), in a ditch/median, or on sidewalk
  • Operating the vehicle in an erratic, reckless, careless, or negligent manner
  • Failure to yield right of way
  • Failure to obey traffic laws, signs, and devices
  • Failure to signal
  • Failure to yield to emergency personnel and construction zone speed limits
  • Racing
  • Cutting off another vehicle/weaving
  • Slamming on brakes in front of a tailgater
  • Forcing a driver off the road
  • Rude hand or facial gestures at other drivers
  • Yelling/cursing
  • Repeatedly honking the horn
  • Repeatedly flashing the headlights
  • Throwing objects
  • Ramming/sideswiping

The dangers of Road Rage behavior:

  • Potential crash involving
    • Vehicle damage
    • Injuries, potentially life-threatening
    • Death – drivers, passengers, others
  • Shooting resulting in a crash, injury, or death

If you encounter an angry or aggressive motorist:

  • Keep your vehicle doors locked and windows up
  • Don’t follow too closely
  • Do not underestimate a driver’s potential for aggression
  • If you are in the left lane and someone wants to pass, move to your right and allow them to pass
  • When merging, make sure you have plenty of room and use your turn signal
  • If someone cuts you off, slow down and give them room to merge into your lane
  • If a speeding driver is tailgating you, safely change lanes when able
  • Making gestures might anger the other driver; create distance and avoid confrontation
  • If another driver is acting angry, don’t make eye contact
  • Do not chase the aggressive driver. If possible, have a passenger take a video and/or make a note of the vehicle’s description (color, spoiler or other accessories, stickers, license number, damage)
  • Motorists who are being followed by an aggressive driver should drive to the nearest police department when possible, or drive to a well-lit, populated area and call 911

Anger management resources: