Nobody likes getting cut off or having a jerk ride your bumper because they are in such a hurry. But how you deal with it could mean the difference between life and death. Road rage is the cause of at least 30 murders each year in the United States. Brad Parker says, “If someone is driving in a way you don’t think is appropriate, it can lead to becoming angry. However, you never know what someone else is capable of or whether or not they have a weapon. Take a deep breath, and just let it go. I know it can be hard sometimes. It’s not worth losing your life over. There are loved ones at home who will miss you.”
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there are legal differences between road rage and aggressive driving. Aggressive driving can include anything construed as reckless: tailgating, speeding, weaving between lanes without a blinker, or blocking another car from passing. Road rage is more serious. It often involves a violent intent towards another driver and includes behaviors such as using a vehicle to ram another car, physically fighting with another driver, or using a weapon to threaten or cause harm or even death.
- In 2019, 82% of people admitted to committing an act of road rage in the past year.
- A total of 12,610 injuries and 218 murders have been attributed to road rage over a seven-year period in the United States.
- On average, road rage causes about 1,800 injuries per year.
- 66% of traffic fatalities are caused by aggressive driving.
- 53% of drivers think speeding is normal and acceptable if kept under 10 mph over the speed limit.
- Road rage has been responsible for about 300 deaths since 2013.
- Over a seven-year time period, more than 200 murders and 12,000 injuries were attributed to road rage.
- 30 murders annually are linked to road rage.
- 50% of drivers respond to the careless acts of other drivers with aggressive behavior themselves
- 94% of traffic accidents are caused by driver error.
- 37% of aggressive driving incidents involve a firearm.
- Running late is one of the leading reasons given for aggressive driving, and the most frequently-cited excuse for following too quickly and passing on the right.
- There was a 500% increase in reported cases of road rage over the last 10 years.
- Men self-report more aggressive driving behaviors than women on average.
Have You Been Injured In A Texas Area Car Accident?
If you’ve been injured in a car accident you need to speak with an experienced car accident injury lawyer as soon as possible. Contact us online to schedule your free consultation. We help car accident victims throughout Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington as well as all areas of Texas.
*information according to the NHTSA, American Psychology Association, and SafeMotorist
At Parker Law Firm, our experienced personal injury lawyers believe people matter. We are committed to our clients, not case numbers, and we believe in the power of the civil justice system. With years spent both representing accident victims and participating in the state legislative process, our founder, Brad Parker, has developed a deep understanding of the law and gained unique experience that helps him get results for his clients.
