The Pulse: Aggressive driving, road rage on the rise
The growth of population and the increased traffic that accompanies such growth appears to generate a rise in patterns of driver frustration. Sprinkle in the additional stressors of a pandemic, inflation and other the other tensions that most of us experience and you have a recipe for “road rage.”
Some drivers engage in aggressive, careless and unsafe operation of their vehicle. Behaviors such as speeding, tailgating, weaving through traffic, horn-honking and abrupt lane-changing prompt “high-anger drivers” to react poorly to this manner of driving.
Many of these incidents can be avoided. Consider:
Changing lanes when being tailgated. While tailgating is unsafe and a ticketable offense, you need not allow it to escalate into an incident.
Allowing others to pass.
If another driver uses inappropriate finger gestures, ignore them.
Avoid eye contact. Many reports indicate that eye contact escalates these “ragers.”
Attempt to remain behind angry drivers. You are far less likely to be injured if you do so.
Never exit your vehicle to confront another driver.
Pull off of the road, if necessary. When doing so, utilize well-lit, populated areas. Create space between your vehicle and theirs by allowing them to leave the scene.
Contact the Lee County Sheriff’s Office or local law enforcement should you feel threatened or unsafe.
These incidents will continue to occur. A simple driving error may prompt anger and violence. However, calm and non-antagonistic behavior can usually deescalate an incident. Be courteous, non-confrontational and mature while operating your vehicle.
Lee County Sheriff
Carmine Marceno
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