Road rage incidents are a growing problem that have led to hundreds of fatal crashes each year. A 2016 study found that over half of drivers engage in dangerous behaviors like tailgating, yelling, honking, and gesturing at other drivers. These behaviors are more common when drivers feel stressed or impatient due to traffic, delays, or actions of other motorists. Alabama has particularly high rates of road rage deaths and incidents according to federal statistics. The document provides tips for avoiding road rage situations and links to further information.
1. Road Rage
W H E N A N G E R L E A D S T O I N J U R Y O N T H E R O A D
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2. WE ALL SHARE
THE HIGHWAY
SAFETY IS A COMMUNITY ISSUE
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3. Too often, people allow their
frustrations and distractions to
turn into anger or aggression on
our roads.
4. SOME TROUBLING STATISTICS
ACCORDING TO A 2016 STUDY ---
• 51% of drivers tailgate on purpose. That's 104 million Americans
riding another car's bumper. Isn't that a tremendous safety risk?
• 47% of those polled yell at other drivers. That's 95 million hollering
hot heads behind the wheel. Can you show some patience?
• 45% of drivers honk in anger or annoyance, which means 91 million
drivers lay on their horns. Does it really help?
• 33% or 67 million drivers gesture obscenely. Is it really necessary
for other drivers to see that (and probably their kids too)?
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5. THE AGGRESSOR
Allows his anger to endanger
others on our roadways.
THE VICTIM
A loved one traveling to work,
school or a social activity.
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6. What simple acts by
others cause road
rage in already
stressed, upset or
impatient drivers?
7. HORNS AND LIGHTS
A Few Causes Of Road Rage --
WRECK DELAYS
CONSTRUCTION DELAYS
TRAFFIC JAMS
GESTURES BY OTHERS
SLOW DRIVERS
LOUD MUSIC
ERRATIC DRIVERS
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8. WHAT ABOUT ALABAMA?
A 2016 National Highway Transportation Safety Administration
study has Alabama in Top Ten states for road rage deaths.
Top Ten State For Road Rage
In 2019 Alabama passed a law requiring drivers to stay in the right
lane on Interstates unless passing another vehicle.
Alabama Enacts Left Lane Law
Recent 2020 headlines describe multiple shootings and stabbings
from road rage incidents across the state.
Local Headlines Describe Highway Anger
9. 2006
Only 80 fatal crashes tied
to road rage
2015
Over 460 fatal crashes
tied to road rage
A GROWING PROBLEM:
16. ANGER IS NEVER WITHOUT A
REASON, BUT SELDOM WITH
A GOOD ONE.
--- BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
17. PLAN AHEAD
How Can Drivers Avoid Road Rage Events?
BE POLITE
CALM YOURSELF
LET IT GO
DON'T ENGAGE
DON'T TAKE IT PERSONALLY
DON'T RETURN HOME
(IF FOLLOWED)
PRACTICE PATIENCE