Signs of aggressive driving
Road rage can increase the risk on the road because drivers exceed the speed limit, make unnecessary maneuvers or act in unkind ways.
When an accident takes place on New York roadways, it is not always easy to tell what caused the incident. If drowsiness or aggression played a role in the crash, it can be hard to pinpoint the cause. Aggressive driving, which sometimes shows itself in the form of road rage, can lead to accidents because the drivers stop thinking clearly.
Many potentially aggressive behaviors lead to fatal crashes each year. According to the Insurance Information Institute, negligent, erratic or restless vehicle operation resulted in 3.9 percent of the fatal accidents in a single year. Driving on the wrong side of the road, speeding and failing to yield the right of way lead to 2.3 percent, 17.8 percent and 7.0 percent respectively. All of these behaviors could be caused by aggression.
Excessive speed
When a driver gets made at others on the road, he or she may try to speed away from the aggravating vehicles. These short bursts of speed often exceed the posted speed limit. Angry operators may even increase their speed when it is raining or snowing. Adding excessive speed to less than ideal road conditions can cause major problems.
In some cases, more than one driver may experience road rage at the same time. When this happens, the two vehicles may start to race down the road. Often, these angry drivers refuse to let anyone get in their way.
Unnecessary maneuvers
Aggressive vehicle operators may perform other unnecessary maneuvers besides speeding. Operating the vehicle in a negligent manner could be classified as angry driving, as could other actions, including the following:
- Passing on the shoulder
- Making improper turns
- Running stop signs or traffic lights
- Following other vehicles closely
- Changing lanes frequently
Many of these roadway tricks are unsafe for others on the street. When a person chooses to pass traffic on the right side, for example, he or she could endanger pedestrians and bicyclists as well as other motor vehicle operators.
Ungracious actions
Another common sign of an angry driver is unkind actions toward others on the road. Drivers may refuse to yield the right of way or allow another vehicle to merge with traffic. When a person behind the wheel is angry, he or she may choose to be mad at all other drivers, which could increase the erratic behavior.
In New York, drivers can become aggressive for a variety of reasons. Whether a person is mad because of congested traffic, bad drivers or busy parking lots, it may be beneficial for anyone involved in an aggressive driving situation to work with an attorney familiar with the intricacies of road rage and other violent crimes.