“Road rage” has become more of a threat over the past few years, as incidents of shootings on the road have increased dramatically, according to one study. Not only does this result in direct violence to drivers, but road rage also increases the risk of accidents overall. But what exactly is road rage, and how does it make it more likely that people will get into auto accidents?
What is “Road Rage?”
Road rage is a colloquial term referring to aggressive, threatening, or violent behavior that people engage in as a result of frustration experienced while driving. People typically engage in this aggressive behavior because they drive while already stressed or angry, or because they cannot adequately handle aggravation that can come about from conditions on the road. This leads them to act out in ways that potentially endanger both themselves and the people around them.
What Does Road Rage Look Like?
Road rage can potentially take a number of different forms, ranging from relatively harmless to potentially life-threatening. At its most benign, this may result in people driving more aggressively or recklessly, by doing things such as speeding or tailgating. They may also shout threats or profanity at people that anger them. In the most extreme cases, road rage can escalate to the point of literal violence, with angry drivers trying to run other drivers off the road, or attacking them with firearms or other weapons.
How Does Road Rage Lead to More Accidents?
Even in the least offensive cases, it can lead to more accidents, and more severe accidents, as a result of increased reckless behavior. Speeding and tailgating both substantially increase the risk of accidents, as can swerving between lanes, driving on the meridian, or engaging in other illegal driving behavior. In some cases, drivers experiencing intense frustration may actively attempt to cause accidents, simply to alleviate their aggravation.
Why are Road Rage Incidents On the Rise?
The increased incidence of road rage has been attributed at least partly to the stress from the COVID-19 pandemic, which has caused people to engage in more reckless behavior overall. In addition, Everytown for Gun Safety, a non-profit advocacy group working against gun violence, has noted that firearms sales have increased dramatically since the beginning of the pandemic, which may explain why more shootings have occurred. The group also notes that people who carry firearms in their cars are generally more likely to engage in aggressive driving behaviors. However, the data is complex, and the true reasons for this uptick in violent behavior may not be clear for some time.
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