How does road rage affect your driving skills and judgment?

Unfortunately, many drivers are familiar with road rage. From being honked at for an extra-long time to getting yelled at or even forced off the road, countless people have encountered these unpleasant experiences. 

These situations may leave you wondering — how does road rage affect your driving skills and ability to make good decisions? To learn the answer to this thought-provoking question, please keep reading.

How does road rage affect a driver?

If you are wondering what road rage is, the definition of road rage is “angry or violent behavior that takes aggressive driving to an extreme.” In terms of its consequences, road rage negatively influences a driver, impairing their clarity of thought and leading to poor decision-making while behind the wheel.

When drivers are incredibly furious, they will often make dangerous and less-than-smart moves. In many cases, road rage stems from experiencing stress when driving. For instance, construction zones and slow-moving traffic can push some drivers over the edge, causing road rage to erupt.

Who is most likely to experience road rage?

Technically, anyone who drives can experience road rage. Everyone who has ever been behind the wheel can probably remember times when they felt really angry while driving. In fact, notes WebMD regarding the prevalence of road rage, about half of drivers have admitted to committing an act of road rage during the last year. In addition, environmental issues, like being honked at by another driver, or, as Psychology Today notes, traffic conditions can cause road rage. 

When roads are backed up with cars and it’s a hot day, drivers may be more likely to get involved in a road-rage incident than on days when the roads are less crowded and the weather is cooler. Also, people who use drugs or drink and then get behind the wheel may be more likely to commit an act of road rage.

How can I avoid road rage?

Because road rage affects judgment, it is serious and can even lead to fatal consequences. It is wise to find ways to avoid becoming a contributor to road rage. 

To achieve this goal, consider doing the following:

• Give yourself extra time during your commute
• Practice ways to lower your stress levels
• Come up with ways to help you relax while on the road — for instance, listening to music or a podcast that interests you
• When traffic gets heavy, give deep breathing a try
• Never multitask while driving your car
• Never text, and avoid talking on the phone while behind the wheel

These tips can help you keep an even temper while you are driving and will hopefully prevent incidents of road rage. As a bonus, if you haven’t been in any accidents or have a clean driving record, your car insurance company might also offer you safe driver insurance discounts.

Read more:

• How You Can Avoid Becoming a Contributor to Road Rage
• Road Rage: Definition and Consequences

What should I do if road rage caused an accident?

If you end up being in an accident due to road rage, it’s important to first make sure everyone involved in the incident is okay. If not, call 911 and get help to the scene. Depending on the circumstances of the accident, you will likely have to pay fines, especially if you are found to be the cause of the crash. 

Unfortunately, your car insurance rates will probably also go up as a result of the road rage incident. Because your company keeps tabs on your driving record, even a minor accident can affect insurance rates.

Case Studies: The Impact of Road Rage on Driving Skills and Judgment

Case Study 1: Impaired Decision-Making

John experiences road rage when another driver cuts him off on the highway. Fueled by anger, John begins tailgating the other driver, honking his horn excessively, and making aggressive gestures. In this state of heightened emotions, John’s decision-making becomes impaired.

He fails to consider the potential consequences of his actions and loses focus on safe driving practices, increasing the risk of an accident.

Case Study 2: Decreased Patience and Awareness

Sarah encounters a slow driver in the left lane, which triggers her road rage. She starts weaving in and out of traffic, speeding, and displaying aggressive behavior. As a result, Sarah’s patience diminishes, and she becomes less aware of her surroundings. Her impatience may lead to making risky maneuvers, disregarding traffic rules, and failing to notice potential hazards on the road.

Case Study 3: Reduced Response Time

Mike becomes involved in a heated argument with another driver during a traffic jam. As their argument escalates, Mike’s anger intensifies, leading to aggressive driving behaviors. In this heightened emotional state, his response time decreases significantly. Mike fails to react promptly to sudden changes in traffic conditions, increasing the likelihood of rear-end collisions or other accidents.

Case Study 4: Impaired Judgment and Consequences

Samantha experiences road rage when a driver cuts her off at an intersection. She decides to retaliate by tailgating and swerving dangerously around the other driver. Samantha’s impaired judgment leads her to disregard the potential consequences of her actions. As a result, she puts herself, the other driver, and innocent bystanders at risk of accidents or injuries.

Final Thoughts on How Road Rage Affects Driving

Everybody gets mad at times, it’s just part of life. But when feelings of anger are especially intense, and they happen while driving, it can lead to road rage. 

Clearly, the effects of road rage on driving skills are never positive. Strong anger and driving really do not mix, so it is a good idea to know your own triggers when behind the wheel, practice safe driving techniques, and try to stay as calm as you can when on the road.