When road rage increases, so do injuries
Posted in Firm News, Motor Vehicle Accidents on June 14, 2019
Nearly every driver has experienced frustration behind the wheel at some point. If a car cuts them off on the I-5, or another car weaves through the lanes, it is natural for drivers to feel both nervous and even a little irked at such a reckless driver.
Road rage is an entirely different story.
What does road rage look like?
Road rage, or aggressive driving, is unfortunately common. Washington state patrol trooper Rick Johnson defines it as when drivers use their car “as a tool to teach another driver something.”
Drivers could become aggressive for a variety of reasons, but they often show their aggression by:
- Passing cars illegally and at high speeds
- Disregarding traffic laws and signals completely
- Speeding excessively and winding through traffic
- Following other cars too closely
The drivers themselves also often shout or send rude gestures to other drivers.
Reports claim there are more incidents of road rage on Seattle roads
According to KOMO News, road rage is all too common on Seattle roads, specifically the I-5. And police report that the rate of aggressive driving is only increasing. The greater Seattle area has already seen several incidents involving road rage this year. Some incidents involved:
- Shouting matches on the side of the road
- Objects thrown out the window
- Drivers forcing others off the road
The article also states the construction season could seriously influence the already high rates of aggressive driving. Getting stuck in traffic can fray people’s nerves and lead more people to lash out in an act of road rage.
But low patience and aggressive driving only serve to put Seattle drivers at risk of a serious and life-changing injury.
Injuries and fatalities caused by road rage on the rise
Road rage is one of the top causes of traffic accidents. And in 2018, 39 people were killed in traffic accidents involving road rage in Seattle.
State patrols are actively trying to reduce the number of deaths and injuries by tracking aggressive drivers closely. However, drivers can also protect themselves from injury by always driving defensively and never responding to another driver’s road rage.
Anyone injured in an accident caused by someone else’s road rage has the right to recover compensation, but it is best to avoid any incidents involving aggressive drivers altogether.