What triggers road rage? Despite how dangerous it is to get involved in an argument and its possible legal consequences (personal injury or property damage), it is common to see drivers getting carried away by anger.
There are many reasons, but there are big differences according to individual studies carried out by various institutions around the world. The main ones seem to be a mixture of temperament and environment which ‘warms the mood’.
These reports or studies attribute aggressive driving to day-to-day stress, work, personal or family problems; and it is also clear, to the big traffic congestions, the traffic jams.
Anonymity, which is the perception that the other driver will not be contacted, favors this behavior. Hence, it looks ‘easy’ to yell at the top of your lungs at another driver, insult in a ferocious way, or whistle uncontrollably. Some suggest that sometimes the automobile brings out the worst in people.
And on the other hand, the accompaniment influences the behavior. While going with friends or alone can increase aggression, traveling with children, a partner or a co-worker helps reduce aggression.
Interpretations of the incident play a role as well. This is where thoughts like personalizing come into action. “I closed myself on purpose.” Catastrophize, “he could have killed me”, or generalize, “people don’t know how to drive”.
Calm and patient, and knowing how to assimilate situations help to avoid conflicts on the streets.
Other analyzes speak of the attitude of some drivers who believe they are more ‘experts’ than the rest. This predicts aggressive behavior, so drivers who believe they have greater control of the situation, more skill or dexterity behind the wheel, are more likely to drive risky and aggressive.
Research suggests that young men are more prone to aggressive driving.
But no matter your age, anger is a powerful, reactive emotion that can lead you to do things you wouldn’t normally do. So driving the vehicle is dangerous if you don’t know how to control it.
Maintaining provocative attitudes when driving multiplies by 10 the risk of suffering an accident with victims and by 30 the chances of an accident with serious injuries. To which must be added other consequences such as lawsuits for personal injuries or damage to property of others.
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Fights in the streets can bring delicate consequences such as personal injury lawsuits.
