Aggressive driving is a leading cause of car accidents

People who display road rage in New Mexico often make their aggressive attitudes obvious to other people on the road. If you have ever been yelled at or shown a rude hand gesture in heavy traffic, you probably understand. However, some drivers who don’t let you know exactly what’s bothering them can be just as aggressive and dangerous.

Aggressive driving behaviors

A driver’s aggressive attitude on the road can show itself in many different ways. The driver may speed, tailgate other cars or otherwise disobey rules of the road. Refusing to let other cars merge onto a highway is a dangerous display of aggressive driving that can lead to severe motor vehicle accidents. Another way drivers show their aggression is by making quick lane changes without signaling.

What the numbers show

Aggressive driving is a dangerous behavior that often has fatal consequences. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), aggressive driving is the cause of 66% of car accident fatalities. A survey taken by The Zebra in 2019 found that 82% of US drivers admitted that they had driven aggressively or had road rage sometime over the past year.

Aggressive driving accidents are preventable

Losing control of your emotions while you are behind the wheel of a fast-moving vehicle is never safe. That’s why it’s important to pull over and take a break if you ever start to feel too upset while driving, and you should be able to expect other drivers to do the same. It’s also a good idea to try to avoid getting too close to aggressive drivers whenever you notice them on the road.

If you were injured in an accident involving an aggressive driver, you may be entitled to significant financial compensation for your medical bills, lost income and other costs resulting from the crash. Talk to an experienced personal injury lawyer about your options. For more on what to do after a collision, please see our Car Accident FAQ.