As in all other parts of the country, Arizona has many drivers who give in to road rage. Unfortunately, Arizona road rage can be quite dangerous for everyone involved. As a driver, if you want to stay safe, it is important to remain calm and discourage road rage in those around you.    

What is Road Rage

Road rage is when someone is driving extremely aggressive, even violently. Legally, someone who is pulled over and cited for Arizona road rage is given an “aggressive driving” ticket. This can manifest itself in a number of ways. Some of the most common road rage incidents include:

• Laying on the horn and using high beams to blind the other driver

• Cutting off other cars deliberately

• Shouting violently and rude gestures

• Intentionally causing accidents or damage

• Threatening the other driver with a weapon

In most cases, those displaying signs of road rage will be pulled over and charged with other thinks, like reckless driving. However, keep in mind that road rage can cause very serious accidents, so a fit of road rage could end up with as much as a murder charge.

Incidents Increasing

In the United States, road rage is on the rise. One study shows that over 300 serious injuries or deaths on the road every year have been a direct result of road rage. A national study by the AAA Foundation shows that there are over 1200 cases of road rage documented every year across the country – and that number is growing every year.

Arizona road rage is increasing for two reasons. First, the population is growing, and many of the new residents come to Arizona from California, a state known for aggressive driving. The second reason that road rage is on the rise is that the roads in Arizona are typically clean and strait, with few potholes. That might sounds like a good thing, but overall, it means that people are driving faster, which leads to driving more aggressively.

How to Avoid Confrontation

The best way to avoid road rage confrontation is just to stay in the car and get out of the other driver’s way. Whether you’re driving in Arizona or any other part of the country, adding to the road rage by honking your horn, making rude gestures, and taking part in road rage yourself only makes the situation more dangerous.

Cooler Heads Prevail

If you’re worried about road rage in yourself, there are a few things you can do to avoid this kind of violent confrontation. Here are some great tips to help you stay cool:

• Plan ahead so that you have more than enough time to get to your destination, even if the traffic in slow.

• Avoid eye contact with other drivers who seem to be driving aggressively.

• Map out alternative routes to your destination that take you out of high-traffic areas.

• Pull over. Allow other drivers who are showing signs of road rage to pass you by.

• Use public transportation to avoid driving altogether.

Remember, you can also call the police or otherwise report bad drivers if someone showing signs of road rage is confronting you. Don’t get caught up in it yourself – the costs are too high!

How it Starts and Ends

Arizona road rage usually starts with someone needing to get someone quickly. Highway traffic is often unpredictable, and being late for something important is a sure-fire way to feel flustered on the road. In some people, this leads to road rage. One study of people who have experienced road rage shows that this may actually be an aggression reaction problem in the brain.

Road rage also has a tendency to start when others are displaying signs of rage while driving. If someone gestures rudely or tailgates you with high beams, it is easy to become defensive and gesture back or block them from passing you. If you have problems ignoring rude and angry people, you might have problems with Arizona road rage.

More important than how road rage starts is how it ends. There are three possible outcomes. The first is that the driver makes it to his or her destination safely. This is a typical outcome, but remember – you’re playing with fire. It is also possible that one of the other two outcomes occurs: you get pulled over and cited for aggressive driving or other offenses or you get into an accident, possibly causing death or injuries.

Reporting Road Rage

Reporting road rage is a good way to ensure that you’re doing your part to help keep Arizona’s roads safe. If you’re experiencing road rage, you have a number of reporting choices. First, you can call the police as you’re seeing it happen. Remember, if you are alone, pull off the road to make the call.

In addition, you can report the road rage online by registering the license plate number and offense of the offender. There are many websites that allow you to do this, but some of the most popular are www.roadragers.com and www.aboveaveragedriver.com. Even if you choose not to report road rage incidents you see, make sure that you keep a cool head so that no one has to report you!