AVOID AGGRESSIVE DRIVING SITUATIONS
One of the major causes of car crashes in Virginia is aggressive driving. Aggressive driving situations can be easily avoided if you abide by the rules of the road, give yourself plenty of time to get to your destination, and stay away from other drivers who are driving aggressively.
The consequences of a driver aggravating an already aggressive driver are often injury or death of one or more of the people involved in the situation. According to Mizell and Company International Security, at least 218 individuals have been murdered and 12,610 were injured as a result of 10,037 incidents of aggressive driving from 1990 to 1996.
What Should You Do in an Aggressive Driving Situation?
If you witness another driver on the road acting in an unsafe manner, do not allow yourself to be involved in the situation by trying to interfere with the aggressive driver. You never know the circumstances of someone who is driving erratically, and there are numerous instances of road rage brawls and murders over “teaching a bad driver a lesson”.
Approximately one-half of those who are exposed to aggressive driving behaviors respond with a type of aggression themselves, making the situation even more serious. The best thing to do if you are confronted by an aggressive driver is to simply steer clear and don’t pay them any attention. Do not try to incite another driver to anger, and if you feel like you have angered another driver, attempt to make an apologetic gesture and try to remain calm and courteous.
Retaliation is not the Answer
Tailgating is an aggressive driving habit that drivers often retaliate against. You should never tailgate another driver since the car in front of you may suddenly stop or slow down and not give you enough time to react. If another driver is tailgating you, move to the right side of the travel lane so that they can see the road ahead of you. If it is safe you should change lanes so that the tailgating motorist may pass.
A common negative reaction of a driver who is being tailgated is to either slam on the breaks or throw an object out the window. Do not, under any circumstance, throw something out the window to discourage the motorist behind you from following too closely. This is illegal in Virginia and can result in heavy fines and possible jail time. This action may also further aggravate the other driver, escalating the situation and asking for trouble.
Contact Whitehead & Chiocca if you have been the Victim of Road Rage
If you were the victim of a car accident due to another driver who was acting in an aggressive manner, contact the skilled lawyers at Whitehead & Chiocca. We will work hard to get you the compensation you need to get your life back in order.