Aggressive driving has become a growing, disturbing trend across the country, and Florida isn't immune to it. In a recent AAA survey, 80% of drivers admit to experiencing road rage behind the wheel at least once in the previous 30 days. Unfortunately, the consequences are clear: traffic deaths are alarmingly high everywhere (including in the Sunshine State).
What Is Road Rage?
Road rage means letting your anger and frustrations get the better of you while driving. Instead of controlling your emotions, they push you to make risky decisions. Aggressive, careless driving can show in a lot of ways, including:
Tailgating another vehicle
Yelling at another driver
Honking to show annoyance or anger
Making angry gestures
Blocking others from changing lanes
Cutting off other vehicles on purpose
Exiting a vehicle to confront another driver
Bumping/ramming another vehicle on purpose
Road Rage Is Making Headlines in Florida
In 2022 alone, 554 people were injured or killed in gun-related road rage accidents. That comes out to someone dying or being hurt every 16 hours. Sadly, Florida has the second-most deadlygun-related road rage shootings in the country. These headlines show just how dangerous road rage has become in the state:
Two men engaged in gunfire during a road rage confrontation in Nassau County in October 2022. Two girls, a 5-year-old and a 14-year-old, were hit and ended up in the hospital.
A road rage shooting on I-4 (Plant City, Florida) killed a woman and injured a man in April 2023. According to witnesses, the shooter was driving "recklessly in traffic" and displaying classic road rage behaviors.
A man and a woman shot at another driver, then got out of the vehicle to physically attack her in Brandon, Florida. She did not sustain injuries.
What to Do in a Road Rage Incident?
If other drivers are acting aggressively on the road, the best you can do is disengage. Put more distance between your vehicles and pull over, if needed. Never honk back or yell at the other driver. Take note of where the incident happened and call 911.
You can talk to family members about road rage to bring awareness to this issue. Explain its risks and you might make a difference.
3 Ways to Avoid Road Rage
Statistically speaking, you'll likely experience road rage in the first person. Be prepared for a day when your emotions boil over and threaten to spill onto the road.
Give yourself plenty of time to get where you're going. You're more likely to engage in risky driving behaviors and get angry behind the wheel if you're in a rush. Making sure you're not short on time is the best way to nip those feelings of frustration in the bud. Always account for traffic and slow drivers before starting your journey.
Pull over if you're experiencing intense emotions. If you're having a bad day and feel like you'll lose your cool, pull over. Collect yourself, take a deep breath, and implement calming tactics.
Be understanding and forgiving. You can never know what other drivers are going through, so cut them some slack. Maybe the senior driver going too slow is facing health problems, and maybe that driver who just cut you off is still learning to check their blind spots. The point is you shouldn't lose your cool at anyone behind the wheel. Instead, take a deep breath and the higher ground.
Defensive Driving in Florida Spares Your Nerves
The best way to up your road rage defenses is to take a Florida traffic school course. You'll learn practical ways to deal with serious emotions behind the wheel, as well as how to respond when you're confronted with aggressive driving. What's more, getting a defensive driving certification could even lower your auto insurance monthly payments. It's all wins!
Updated 5/3/23
