Road rage incidents happen every day in Ohio and across the country. Sometimes, it’s a person driving aggressively by speeding and changing lanes without signaling. At other times, incidents of road rage resulting in an actual fight between drivers. Whatever the case may be, aggressive driving behaviors associated with road rage cause a lot of accidents.
Aggressive driving causes the majority of fatal accidents
One alarming statistic to keep in mind about road rage is that aggressive driving causes 66% of traffic fatalities. If you notice a driver getting angry and driving aggressively, it’s best to try not to provoke them any further.
Unfortunately, half of the drivers say that they get aggressive in response to road rage. Victims of road rage often retaliate by becoming aggressive themselves, which can lead to more auto accidents. Drivers with road rage often:
• Display rude hand signs
• Shout at the other driver
• Honk their horns
• Flash their lights
Firearms are involved in over one-third of road rage incidents
If you knew that an aggressive driver had a gun in their glove compartment, you might think twice about flashing the middle finger. Another disturbing road rage statistic is the number of drivers with guns in their vehicle: In 37% of road rage incidents, at least one of the drivers involved has a firearm in their car.
Aggressive drivers can be held liable for accidents
If you were injured in a car accident that involved road rage, you may be able to file a lawsuit against the aggressive driver. A driver who was speeding and changing lanes erratically may be held liable for causing a crash. Some of the evidence that may help in your case could include eyewitness testimony, traffic camera footage, and cellphone data.