⊸ Weblog⊸ Road Rage Is On The Rise

Sep 24, 2021

Road Rage And Ambitious Driving

Woman in white shirt expressing frustration while driving

A study from April 2022 finds that 95% of Ontario drivers admit to road rage and aggressive driving. On the other side, 93% of drivers say they are courteous drivers. Which category practise you fall into?

Every bit gridlock and structure seem to simply be on the ascension, many take their personal fourth dimension being infringed on past traffic. Getting cut off, having someone steal your parking spot, dull drivers impeding traffic and other people not constant past road rules can also add to the frustration. Information technology'south potentially dangerous if you don't command your emotions at the moment.

We've gathered information to assistance you understand road rage and how to do your best to prevent ambitious behaviour on the road.

What Is Route Rage?

Road rage is aggressive driving behaviours such as cutting off other vehicles, following too closely, engaging in dangerous habits and non obeying traffic laws.

The term tin besides use to attempt to kill, injure, or intimidate a pedestrian or driver, or damage their vehicle. It is perhaps best defined not past a specific activeness, but as a negative emotional response or aggressive reaction to a situation or other driver.

Other signs of road rage can include :

  • Erratic driving
  • Ignoring traffic rules, signs, or signals
  • Flashing lights or excessive horn honking
  • Using rough language or disregarding rules of the road with other drivers, pedestrians, or cyclists

Symptoms of road rage tin cause accidents and have a poor effect on the mental wellness of other drivers. Information technology's crucial to be a courteous driver and command your anger to go on yourself and others safe.

How Does Road Rage Touch on Your Driving?

When you feel angry or impatient, you may accept bigger risks such as speeding, swerving, or condign distracted and taking your eyes off the road. Anger can plow into tunnel vision and that can lead to putting drivers in danger.

It's of import to practice defensive driving and have breaks if you lot are stressed, otherwise road rage could put yous into the high-risk insurance category.

How Dangerous Is Road Rage?

Young man with sunglasses in car stressed out

While many presume road rage to be nil more than an overly aggressive driver or someone honking their horn, information technology is a lot more than serious. In 43 cases (72.9%), criminal charges were laid, usually assault, manslaughter or dangerous driving, because there is no charge specifically for route rage.

"Many route rage behaviours can be considered ambitious driving, which is one of the leading causes of expiry on Ontario highways," said OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt to CBC News. "We still run into information technology all the time, and people are only frustrated on the highways, I guess, and taking it out on their fellow motorists," Schmidt adds.

Road Rage Statistics

Non convinced that road rage is a serious issue? In add-on to some of the crazy videos that have popped upward online, here are some center-opening stats from safemotorist.com and NCBI that communicate the dangers of road rage :

  • 66% of traffic fatalities are caused past aggressive driving.
  • 37% of incidents involve a firearm.
  • One-half of drivers who are on the receiving terminate of an ambitious beliefs, such as horn honking, a rude gesture, or tailgating admit to responding with aggressive behavior themselves.
  • In 2019, 82% of people admitted to committing an act of road rage in the past twelvemonth.
  • Over a seven years, 218 murders and 12,610 injuries were attributed to road rage.
  • 2% of drivers admit to trying to run an aggressor off the route.
  • Many Canadians are failing to control their emotions when backside the bike. According to a recent survey, 1 in 3 Canadians acknowledge to suffering from route rage at least one time per month.
  • Of the biggest pet peeves for drivers, xxx% cited tailgating, 22% distracted driving, 22% getting cut off, and 11% some other driver taking up two spots in a parking lot.

What Is The Difference Between Road Rage And Aggressive Driving?

These terms are often interconnected. Aggressive driving ordinarily escalates into route rage, but road rage does not e'er happen in cases of aggressive driving. Other forms of road rage can include stunt driving and speeding.

What Causes Route Rage?

There is no shortage of causes that can lead to road rage. Some yous bring on yourself, and other drivers and situations bring some on. Here are some of the master causes of :

  • Elevated stress levels
  • Traffic congestion and poor conditions to drive in
  • Poor driving habits – failure to indicate, cheque blind spots or engaging in distracted driving
  • Reactions from other drivers
  • Running belatedly
  • Existence tired or driving for too long without a intermission
  • Negative mindset

These are only some of the countless things that could crusade you or other drivers to suspension into a fit of road rage. While you lot cannot command the actions or emotions of other drivers, at that place are things y'all can practice to ensure y'all stay levelheaded when driving.

Tips To Avoid Route Rage

Fugitive aggressive driving habits and road rage incidents are the key to staying safe. Here are some piece of cake to implement ways to avoid situations where it could occur :

  • Be self-aware : Being witting of the situations that brand y'all tense while driving and being aware of your tension level will help y'all improve control your emotions when driving. If you feel stressed or impatient, take a deep jiff and refocus on driving.
  • Pullover and take a break : Whether yous take a long commute or are starting to experience irritated, it's a good idea to have a intermission to relax and at-home down.
  • Don't rush : Always requite yourself plenty fourth dimension to get to your destination. Bank check the traffic, structure, and weather in your area so you can plan your route accordingly.
  • Get some slumber : Drowsy driving has a big impact on your mood and ability to bulldoze attentively. A poor night'south sleep will not but make you irritable, information technology can too increment your chances of making a mistake.
  • Don't sweat the small things : This is perchance the nearly of import point of all. You lot and other drivers volition make mistakes and errors in judgement when driving – it's human nature. If another driver makes a mistake, rather than honking your horn or yelling, only permit it go. It'south not worth getting upset about and potentially escalating the state of affairs.
  • Don't take things personally : Don't accept other drivers' actions personally. They didn't merge in front of you or fail to point just to spite yous – they probably only made a mistake. Avoid taking these situations equally competition.
  • Treat other drivers with respect : How practise you want other drivers to treat y'all? If you brand a mistake. you don't want others to yell at you. You want them to be agreement.
  • Don't aggravate other drivers : Be courteous to other drivers and communicate your intentions by using your betoken, don't tailgate, and let drivers laissez passer or switch lanes.

How To Cure Road Rage

Frustrated male driver

Do y'all find yourself constantly aggravated on the road? While you can't control the deportment of other drivers, you tin control your reactions. Hither's how yous can prevent your road rage habits.

  • Consider taking an acrimony management course or seek therapy
  • lay soothing music
  • Get sufficient residual
  • Go out early
  • Be enlightened of how you drive – are y'all driving distracted or dumb?
  • Accept a defensive driving program
  • Put pictures of your loved ones on your dashboard to remind you to be mindful
  • Be nowadays, and remember to jiff and relax your hands on the steering cycle
  • Take breaks – consider stopping for a short rest or a healthy snack if you've been on the route for a couple hours straight
  • If you made a mistake, say sorry. Information technology can reduce the risk of disharmonize

Does Insurance Cover Road Rage Situations?

If you have collision insurance or comprehensive insurance, then you lot will probable exist able to claim any damages from an blow that involved road rage. Some companies may exclude route rage on the grounds of reckless driving, and the action is risky and accounted as criminal behavior. Details can be found in your contract, or you tin can contact your insurer to confirm.

How To Deal With Road Rage Drivers

We've all had situations where some other driver beeps their horn, gives yous the one finger salute or yells obscenities at yous. While information technology'southward tempting to requite it back to them, you should always exercise your best to keep calm and let it go. Here is what to do if yous are approached or threatened by a driver with route rage :

  • Don't react or retaliate with gestures or aggressive actions
  • Avoid making eye contact
  • Never get out of your vehicle and lock your doors
  • Maintain your focus on the road
  • If you lot are existence tailgated, alter lanes or leave
  • Deadening down and permit them to pass
  • In extreme cases, pullover where it is safe and call the police

Road Rage FAQs

Can You Go A Ticket For Route Rage?

Road rage isn't a crime under the Criminal Lawmaking or Highway Traffic Act, simply the furnishings of it can atomic number 82 to tickets and affect how much y'all pay for machine insurance in Ontario.

Why Is Route Rage Dangerous?

Road rage is dangerous considering drivers do not have total control of their vehicle and cause accidents due to poor judgment and slower response time to what is going on around them. For example, they may run a red light instead of slowing downwardly.

How Do I Study Road Rage?

If you feel road rage from someone and your life was threatened, you tin can written report it to Ontario Provincial Law. In these situations, it is of import to be able to identify the driver's license plate or vehicle.

How Practise I Know If I Accept Road Rage?

If yous notice that yous tend to yell, make rude gestures to other drivers, change speeds and lanes without warning, or tailgate, yous may have symptoms of roads rage. Consider taking a test online or speaking with a mental wellness expert.

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