Latest Blogs

According to a new study released in July 2016 by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety (American Automobile Association), a significant number of U.S drivers reported engaging in angry and aggressive behaviors while driving over the past year: 

• Purposefully tailgating: 51 percent (104 million drivers)
• Yelling at another driver: 47 percent (95 million drivers)
• Honking to show annoyance or anger: 45 percent (91 million drivers)
• Making angry gestures: 33 percent (67 million drivers)
• Trying to block another vehicle from changing lanes: 24 percent (49 million drivers)
• Cutting off another vehicle on purpose: 12 percent (24 million drivers)
• Getting out of the vehicle to confront another driver: 4 percent (7.6 million drivers)
• Bumping or ramming another vehicle on purpose: 3 percent (5.7 million drivers) 

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that about two-thirds of crash deaths involve aggressive driving. 

Nearly 8 of every 10 drivers in the United States admit expressing anger, aggression or road rage. While that may be dangerous enough, an estimated 8 million drivers engaged in more extreme behavior on streets and roads that might be considered "road rage,” reported US News. 

At the present time no agency keeps official statistics on road rage events across the United States, but reports of “aggressive driving” incidents have increased by about 7 percent every year since 1990, according to AAA. 

Why are road rage Incidents Increasing? 

As roads are becoming more congested, road rage incidents seem to be on the rise, according to AAA and NHTSA.

1. 90 percent of people drive to work every day.
2. 1 out of 3 drivers who live in one of the largest cities in the United States spends over 40 hours per year being stuck in a traffic jam.
3. There are simply more vehicles on the road. In the past decade, the number of motor vehicles grew 17 percent while the population increased by 10 percent. 

Stay calm behind the wheel. 

The following tips from Edmunds.com will help drivers stay calm behind the wheel: 

1. Plan ahead. Allowing yourself enough travel time will prevent a time crunch.
2. Obey the speed limit. Obeying the speed limit will ensure proper traffic flow.
3. Identify alternate routes. Try to find routes that will enable you to avoid traffic congestion on busier roads.
4. Just be late. Being late for work or an appointment is better than endangering your life or the life of someone else.
5. Drive sober. Don’t drink and drive.
6. Keep the kids content. With young children, take regular stops and bring plenty of items to keep them occupied.
7. Don't let traffic congestion get to you. Keep in mind that traffic congestion is often a regular part of driving and is best handled with a calm attitude. 

“If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident involving an incident of road rage, contact the experienced attorneys at Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. to determine your rights,” said Fort Myers Vehicle Accident Attorney, Randall Spivey.

Fort Myers Vehicle Accident Attorney Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by just one (1%) percent of Florida attorneys. He has handled over 2,000 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida. For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at 239.337.7483 or toll free at 1.888.477.4839,or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com. Visit SpiveyLaw.com for more information. You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County 239.793.7748.