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Do angry drivers pose a risk to motorists on the road?

If you have ever had a case of road rage while traveling in Maryland traffic, you are not alone. In fact, up to 80% of Americans admit that they have experienced road rage at some point during the last year. There is no doubt that getting stuck behind a slow driver or in traffic when you are late for a meeting or an appointment is frustrating. However, road rage can cause people to engage in dangerous driving practices that may lead to a serious car accident. It is important to refrain from engaging in these behaviors and to be on the lookout for other motorists who are driving dangerously, as they may put other peoples’ lives at risk.

According to the Insurance Information Institute, aggressive driving behaviors may include the following:

  • Driving too closely behind another vehicle or tailgating

  • Honking excessively

  • Yelling expletives or using obscene hand gestures

  • Swerving in between lanes and cutting off other vehicles

  • Failing to yield to other drivers’ right of way

  • Failing to adhere to traffic signals, pedestrian crosswalks and traffic signs

People who are driving aggressively often speed or may even race other vehicles on the road. In some cases, an enraged driver may become so irritated that they start a physical altercation with another driver. If you should come across an aggressive driver, you should avoid making contact with them. You should alert law enforcement officers to the situation. This may save someone from becoming injured or killed in a car accident.

This information is intended to educate and should not be taken as legal advice.

 

 

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