STUDY: Road Rage is on the Rise

SAN ANGELO, TX – Studies from Traffic Departments across the nation have confirmed that road rage is on the rise.

In a road rage survey study done by AAA, 57 million drivers reported switching lanes quickly or very close behind another car. In addition, 71 million drivers reported making rude gestures or honking at another driver. And 106 million drivers also admitted to driving more than 15 mph over the speed limit. 

The most notable road rage incident in 2021 for San Angelo occurred in early Feb. During the incident a car was forced off the road by a drunk driver in a large pickup. To see the full video check out: WATCH: Intense Video of Drunk Unhinged Road Rage Crash

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration more than 20,000 people died in motor vehicle crashes in the first half of 2021. That’s up 18.4% compared to 2020.

In the Concho Valley alone there have been a number of fatal crashes this year. Most recently a driver was killed in a head on crash near Wall. For more see: Watch: Driver Killed in Horrific Head-On Crash Near Wall

To avoid road rage follow the steps below:

Before You Get Behind The Wheel

• Don’t rush. Give yourself time to get where you’re going; you’re less likely to become impatient and take unnecessary risks.

• Cool off. If you’re upset, take time to calm down.

What To Remember When Driving

• Give other drivers a break. If someone is driving slowly, keep in mind they might be lost.

• Use hand gestures wisely. Keep gestures positive—say, waving to a driver who lets you in when merging.

• Don’t tailgate. Always keep a safe distance from the car in front, no matter how slowly they might be driving.

• Lay off the horn. Honking out of frustration won’t solve any problems; it will just increase the stress level for everyone on the road.

• Don’t stop to confront another driver. Stopping could lead to a dangerous situation for everyone.

If Another Driver Acts Aggressively

• Stay away. Safely change lanes, gradually slow down or even exit the highway to keep a safe distance from the aggressive driver.

• Don’t reciprocate. Ignore the temptation to respond to the other driver; it could cause the situation to escalate. Don’t make eye contact.

• Don’t stop. Stopping could lead to a person-to-person confrontation, which could be dangerous.

• Watch your back. If you’re worried that the other driver is following you, keep your doors locked and drive to the nearest police station.