Road Rage

In the United States, road rage is a big problem. This kind of aggressive driving causes major accidents every year, and in Delaware alone, hundreds of accidents are caused due to drivers with road rage. If you’re on the roads in Delaware, make sure you understand road rage laws so you can stay away from these aggressive drivers and avoid becoming one yourself.

What is Road Rage

Road rage is a term used to describe drivers who are aggressive and angry while on the road. In many cases, drivers with road rage are in a hurry to get wherever they are going. Instead of flowing with the traffic naturally, they tailgate, weave in and out of traffic and pass illegally, all while speeding. Drivers with road rage also commonly honk their horns, make rude gestures, and yell out of their windows are other drivers. They take everything as a personal attack, looking at other drivers as competitors on the road.

Incidents Increasing

On average, Delaware road rage accounts for or contributes to 43% of all automobile accidents every year. The rates are even higher when examining fatal accidents. Road rage was documented as a part of over half of all fatal wrecks on Delaware’s roads in 2003. That number rose to 64% in 2004. Because the general population is becoming more and more stressed for time, road rage is on the rise across the country.

How to Avoid Confrontation

The key to avoiding drivers with road rage is to simply ignore them altogether. In most cases, confrontation only ends badly for all drivers involved. Drivers with road rage often see driving as a competition. Instead of getting into a highway race, making rude or threatening gestures, or otherwise encouraging confrontation, you can do a few things to discourage road rage, including the following:

• Drive the speed limit (or at speeds safe for the road conditions)

• If you’re not passing, stay in the right-hand lane

• Pull over if someone is tailgating you

• Pretend you don’t see rude gestures

• Use signals and pay attention

If you’re in an accident or otherwise pulled over with a driver who is clearly upset, it is often best to stay in your car while you call the police. The other driver might be angry enough to hurt you, and at the very least, you want to avoid getting into a screaming match at the side of the road. Dial the police and stay in your car until they arrive. Make sure you note the other driver’s license plate number in case they decide to drive away.

Cooler Heads Prevail

In road rage situation, cooler heads always prevail. Road rage is extremely unsafe, and in many cases, drivers with road rage can be pulled over and charged with aggressive driving. According to Delaware road rage law, you can be charged with aggressive driving if you display three or more characteristics from a list given to all police officers. This list includes the following:

• Speeding

• Weaving unsafely through traffic

• Ignoring signals and road signs

• Failing to yield to the right of way

• Tailgating

• Passing a stopped school bus

• Passing on the shoulder of the road

A Delaware road rage ticket, on a first offense, can cost up to $300 – on top of the fine you’ll also get for the specific traffic violations you’ve committed. Aggressive driving also means points on your license and up to 30 days in jail, along with a mandatory driving class and possible license suspension. Calm down and drive safely; it pays off in the end.

How it Starts and Ends

Road rage typically starts with one of two occurrences – either the driver is late and you are “in his way” or the driver sees another driver make a mistake (like cutting them off). Road rage drivers typically have no patience and think that they are the best drivers in the world. Once aggression begins, it is hard for a driver to calm down.

How it starts isn’t as important as how it ends. Unfortunately, road rage typically ends in an accident, and often these crashes are fatal. Aggressive driving also sometimes ends with a Delaware road rage ticket, and this charge is a criminal offense. Road rage rarely has a good outcome, so if you’re a driver, resist the urge to let your feelings control your driving. Pay attention on the road, leave your house early so you aren’t running late, and ignore other drivers who encourage road rage.

Reporting Road Rage

If you see other drivers showing sign of aggressive driving, you can report road rage to the Delaware DMV. As soon as you can safely do so, call 9-1-1 and report the make, model, and license plate of the car, as well as any other information about the driver you see. If possible, pull over to the side of the road, and if you’re in an accident with an aggressive driver, stay in your car until the police arrive.

You can also report road rage when you get home online. There are a number of websites, like roadragers.com, where you can report road rage drivers you see. Road rage causes accidents across the country, so by reporting it, you can make Delaware’s roads safer.