The most recent case of road rage was witnessed by drivers on Highway 401 in Toronto, when a group of motorcyclists and a vehicle began an altercation on the road. According to CTV Toronto, an object was thrown from the vehicle in the direction of the motorcyclists. From there, the situation escalated, and the woman in the vehicle claimed that the “incident resulted in her being punched in the face by one of the motorcyclists.” The victim’s boyfriend then chased the motorcyclists down and was involved in a serious car accident as a result of his behavior. His vehicle ended up rolling to the side of the road and burst into flames. The driver, identified as 22-year-old, Andrei Sisu has now been charged with criminal and highway traffic charges. The motorcyclists have not yet been identified in the case.
In this road rage incident, it was more than a few harsh words that were exchanged, and the altercation caused a fiery accident on the side of the highway. When we hear of “road rage” we don’t always think that the people involved will end up seriously injured or even dead, but the man in the burning vehicle is lucky to have walked away from his accident in the shape that he did.
Causes of Road Rage
The AAA Foundation conducted three studies on aggressive driving in order to better understand this dangerous behavior on the roads. The Automobile Association defined “road rage” as a term that is believed to have originated in the United States, and refers to the display of aggression by a driver. Usually, the term describes acts of aggressive behavior that are more serious.
One study acknowledges that human beings are territorial and when a driver invades another driver’s space, they may be seen as an aggressor. The natural reaction is to defend yourself against an aggressor when feeling threatened. However, on the roads, sometimes drivers confuse a moment of error as a driver acting aggressively towards them and take the act personally. Maybe the driver was frustrated after a long day at work, and this frustration might be enough for the driver to come undone at the seams. Soon enough, another driver cuts this person off and the road rage begins.
Congestion on the roads can also play a large factor in road rage, as drivers are stressed and irritable in heavy traffic. However, some drivers may just be more susceptible to road rage than others. The AA Foundation learned that a huge factor in road rage was the driver’s mood. This is why it is important to de-stress before taking a long trip or attempting to drive in congested traffic.
How to Avoid Road Rage
The AAA Foundation encourages you to follow certain tips in order to avoid becoming the victim of a road rage attack:
- Try not to react when another driver is provoking you, and avoid eye contact with them.
- Drive to the nearest police station or a busy area to get help if you think that you are being followed by another driver.
- Keep your doors and windows locked.
- Make sure you leave space between your car and other drivers so that you have enough room to leave any situation.
- Do not carry a weapon.
- If someone attempts to get into your car, draw attention by honking the horn.
These are only a few tips to follow to avoid being the victim. However, there are also tips that you can follow so that your temperament stays calm, cool, and collected while driving on the roads. First off, it’s important that you get enough sleep and have plenty to eat before beginning your drive. Lack of sleep and hunger can easily sway your mood from being content to angry in seconds, and you need to take care of your health and mental well-being. To avoid more stress on the roads, make sure that your car is regularly serviced and carry spare items in case of an emergency.
Hiring a Personal Injury Claim Lawyer
Although you can take care of your own health and well-being, other drivers on the roads are not always willing to do the same. If you are involved in a serious car accident as the result of a road rage incident, you do not deserve to suffer alone. A personal injury claim lawyer will assist you with your case and ensure that you receive the compensation that you deserve in the aftermath. These cases can be extremely stressful and frustrating, especially if you feel that you were not at-fault in the crash.
At Sokoloff Lawyers, we will fight for your rights and make your case a priority. It’s important that you trust your lawyer and trust that they will do everything in their power to ensure that your rights and wishes are taken care of. Book your free consultation with a personal injury claim lawyer at Sokoloff Lawyers and find someone to advocate for your rights today.
Sources:
http://toronto.ctvnews.ca/new-video-shows-altercation-between-car-and-bikers-before-road-rage-incident-1.3089087
https://www.aaafoundation.org/sites/default/files/agdr3study.pdf