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The risks posed when road rage occurs

The latest information provided by the American Automobile Association (AAA) reveals a significant number of angry drivers traveling the roads throughout the United States. According to the federation of motor clubs, eighty percent confess to hostile acts while behind the wheel of their respective motor vehicles.

Honking the horn, tailgating too close, and extending the tried and true middle finger is the most common out of twelve total behaviors. Texting while driving can trigger frenzied responses.

The motivation behind the madness

Fueling the freak-outs is the growing number of motor vehicle fatalities that average almost 1.25 million annually combined with two out of five miles of congested interstates that result in traffic delays. Between consuming fuel while idling and the time it takes to get from place to place, the price tag is approximately $160 billion.

Road rage – a term coined decades ago – continues to be a problem, regardless of what form it takes and the level of intensity.

Questions surrounding over-the-top reactions to what many times turn out to be thoughtless acts are difficult to answer. Some claim that it is not about the offending driver but the individual reacting to it.

While the individual motivation of each driver becoming angry behind the wheel is worthy of analysis, that spark can create deadly dangers on the road. The driver triggered by outside actions out of their control is in a state of rage, representing significantly dangerous types of distraction.

Many times, a gesture or honk is not enough. Tailgating and other menacing moves against an offending motor vehicle operator could make a frustrating situation worse. The outcome can be tragic, leading to severe injuries and death.

Staying composed on the road is not only more healthy for a driver, but it can also prevent catastrophic collisions.

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