Los Angeles, California ranked as one of the least courteous city (where most road rage accidents happen), across major American metro areas, a disapproving statement and damaging description of the city that has consistently appeared in various surveys conducted by various survey board nationally – a very alarming but a hard fact that we Los Angeles citizens have to accept and deal with.
As resident and main stay in the city, we can find truth to this declaration, as we have witnessed many incidents and reported cases of accident with these likings that happened within our streets and major thoroughfares. With the Los Angeles traffic, smog, urban and suburban sprawl and visible presence of discourteous and road rage drivers we can fairly say the statement is true.
With these facts, and as part of our concerns on this issue, it would be worthwhile to learn about road rage, in its terms, manifestations and avoidance as well as the legal implications of this particular accident causation.
Road Rage, as a term
Many authorities are one defining the term road rage as having to do with violence exhibited by drivers of a road vehicle in traffic that is brought about by uncontrollable aggressive behavior or by stress or frustration.
Regularly, the term is used to refer to violent behavior by a driver of an automobile, which thus causes accidents or incidents on roadways. It can be thought of as an extreme case of aggressive driving. It entails a series of destructive behaviors, which can scare another drivers life.
Manifestations and factors
There is a variety of manifestations and circumstances that cause road rage accidents. Even trivial and unintentional moves can lead to an act of behind-the-wheel accidents. Aside from the driving personality of drivers, like ego, selfishness and racist hate, from among the signs of road rage includes the following:
Aggressive driving covering the sudden increase in acceleration and braking
Tailgating
Flashing lights excessively
Cutting others off in a lane, or intentionally preventing someone from merging
Obscene gestures and shouting of abusive words and threats
Sudden speeding exciting other driver
Intentionally causing a collision between vehicles
Obstructing another vehicle(s)
Using some type of deadly weapon
Exiting the car to attempt to start a confrontation, including striking someone else’s vehicle with an object.
Avoidance
The basic thing in order to avoid road rage accidents is prevention. As counseled by most professional drivers, they relate the following key prevention tips:
Change lanes when you can to give merging drivers room.
Let others pass you.
Do not retaliate if others drive aggressively.
Aside from those, a good way to avoid this road rage accident is the indulgence of the following driving characteristics:
Be sensitive and learn to predict moronic driving behavior
Stay calm and focus
Err on the side of discourtesy
Keep your distance
When changing lanes, don’t cut off other drivers
Keep up your pace always
Take personal responsibility
Take reasonable speed
Be safe in following distance
Be courteous and patient all the time
Legal implications
Road rage can bring offenses like, a charge for careless or reckless driving, simple negligence to endangerment of public safety. But most likely, those causing serious injury or death during road rage incidents will suffer more serious liabilities under the mantle of personal injury law.
Conclusion
A road rage accident is something that can be avoided when courtesy and personal responsibility is taken by drivers the moment they step into their vehicles and engage in travel.
As an endnote, our roads are not a war zone. It is a place where people can interact and get along. Drive responsibly, and as much as possible try to avoid conflict on the road and help make our roads safer.
To help you with car accident claims and other related issues, you can confer with our expert car accident lawyers. You can visit our website and avail of our free case analysis.
