Dangers of Road Rage
There are widespread efforts across the country to fight dangerous driving behaviors, such as distracted driving and fatigued driving. This year, one state has even introduced legislation against road rage: in May, New Jersey passed a law which incorporates education about aggressive driving into the state’s driver’s license test curriculum, as well as education programs for high school drivers to teach them about the dangers of road rage.
Part of the inspiration for this law traces back to Jessica Rogers, a victim of a terrible road rage accident in 2005 when she was sixteen years old. While a passenger in a friend’s vehicle, her friend became enraged at another driver who cut him off and he himself began driving erratically. While weaving through traffic and attempting to pass on the road’s shoulder, he lost control and the vehicle crashed into a telephone pole. Jessica suffered serious spinal injuries and was left paralyzed from the chest down. In 2012, in response to her call for action against aggressive driving, New Jersey passed “Jessica’s Law,” which imposes stricter penalties for drivers who injure or endanger others due to road rage. The law passed this year may be considered a new extension of her efforts.
Much of our educational material focuses on new drivers, which is deliberate, as road safety experts and legislators alike believe that emotional awareness as an important part of driving should be taught as early as possible and treated with as much regard as the need to check blind spots before switching lanes. Nearly 80% of all drivers consider road rage to be a “serious safety issue,” but, of course, not so many drivers actually refrain from it in all circumstances, as more than half of all vehicle fatalities involve at least one behavior commonly associated with “road rage,” such as speeding or tailgating.
Road rage is a heat-of-the-moment situation, which is exactly why it can have devastating consequences. Drivers who are swept up by emotion, especially anger at another driver, are unfocused and may only be thinking about retribution, and this can lead to an accident in a split second. If you encounter an angry driver or are yourself enraged by another driver, taking yourself out of a logical mindset is among the worst things you can do. Don’t try to get their attention, don’t yell out the window or make obscene gestures, and don’t make any aggressive or reckless maneuvers. Simply keep your distance and focus on the road and all vehicles around you.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, contact 844 See Mike, LLC for a free consultation. We are a Chicago-based injury law firm representing individuals (and their families) who have suffered an injury in an accident. We will handle your case quickly and advise you every step of the way, and we will not hesitate to go to trial for you.
Lastly, 844 See Mike is not paid attorneys’ fees unless we win your case. Our no-fee promise is that simple. You have nothing to risk when you hire us – only the opportunity to seek justice.
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