A woman was driving in an unfamiliar area and moved into the middle lane to turn left. After realizing this was not the turn she needed to take, she turned her blinker on and got back in the right lane before coming to a stoplight. Once at the light, she was startled when a 60-year-old man began banging frantically on her window. She rolled it down to ask what the problem was. Once she did, the man reached through the window and punched her in the face because he thought the woman had cut him off when she turned back into the right lane.
This horrifying example is just one of many road rage incidents in Tennessee. In fact, according to a poll from AAA, 80 percent of drivers say they have expressed extreme anger, aggression and road rage at least once a year. Approximately 51 percent say they have deliberately tailgated another driver and 33 percent say they have made angry gestures. The poll goes on to say two out of three drivers believe road rage is a bigger problem now than it was three years ago.
HOW TO AVOID A ROAD RAGE INCIDENT
Spotting a road rage driver is not difficult because they display deliberately aggressive behaviors, such as the following:
- Speeding
- Weaving in and out of lanes
- Cutting you off suddenly and without warning
- Rude gestures
- Excessive honking
- Tailgating
- Getting out of his or her car to confront you
- Threatening you, assaulting you or pulling out a firearm
Unfortunately, road rage incidents can get out of hand very quickly. If you are faced with an aggressive driver, keep your cool because nothing good will come from getting as angry as he or she is. Avoid eye contact or making any type of gesture, as he or she could misinterpret it and escalate the situation. If someone approaches your vehicle on foot to demand a confrontation, stay in your car. Your car is the only thing protecting you from potentially becoming an assault victim. Immediately call the police.
The Law Office of Stanley A. Davis is a personal injury law firm in Nashville that helps victims injured in car crashes caused by road rage.
“For the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” James 1:20
Source: https://wkrn.com/2016/07/14/woman-says-she-was-punched-in-face-during-road-rage-incident-in-clarksville/