New York motorists are notorious for having a temper on the road. Drivers in the city can become easily irritated if stuck behind a slow driver or cut off by another motorist. This is especially true if you are stuck in traffic while rushing to get to an important meeting or appointment. If you have personally had feelings of road rage while driving within the last year, you are certainly not alone. According to AAA, more than 80% of Americans admit that they have had similar feelings. The problem is that people with road rage often display dangerous driving behaviors that put others’ lives at risk.
Not only is it critical that you control your own bouts of road rage, but that you are able to spot the signs of aggressive driving. These often include the following:
- Speeding or racing other vehicles
- Following too closely behind another vehicle or tailgating
- Cutting off or blocking other vehicles
- Erratically switching lanes through traffic
- Constantly honking your horn or yelling expletives to other drivers
- Failing to yield to stop signs or other drivers’ right of way
Rather than attempt to handle the situation on your own by returning obscene hand gestures, yelling obscenities or engaging in the same type of dangerous behavior, law enforcement officers suggest you avoid making eye contact and alert the authorities to the situation as soon as possible. Once you report the situation, officers can better handle the situation and minimize the risk of someone getting hurt.