Road rage

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Two drivers emerging from their cars to express anger at a road situation Road rage in Ontario.jpg
Two drivers emerging from their cars to express anger at a road situation

Road rage is aggressive or angry behavior exhibited by people driving a vehicle. These behaviors include rude and verbal insults, yelling, physical threats or dangerous driving methods targeted at other drivers, pedestrians or cyclists in an effort to intimidate or release frustration. Road rage can lead to altercations, damage to property, assaults, and collisions that result in serious physical injuries or even death. [1] Strategies include (but are not limited to) cutting motorists off, inappropriate honking, flashing headlights, using obscene gestures, flipping off another driver, swerving, tailgating, brake checking, and physical confrontation.

Contents

According to a study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety that examined police records nationally, there were more than 1,250 incidents of road rage on average reported per year between 1990–1996 in the United States. Many of these incidents have ended with serious injuries or fatalities. These rates rose yearly throughout the six years of the study. [2] A number of studies have found that individuals with road rage are predominantly young (33 years old on average) and 96.6% male. [3]

In some jurisdictions, there can be a legal difference between "road rage" and "aggressive driving". In the U.S., only a few states have enacted special aggressive driving laws, where road rage cases are normally prosecuted as assault and battery (with or without a vehicle), or as vehicular homicide.[ citation needed ]

The legal definition of road rage encompasses a group of behaviors expressed while driving, or stemming from traffic-related incidents. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration defines road rage as when "an intentional assault by a driver or passenger with a motor vehicle or a weapon that occurs on the roadway or is precipitated by an incident on the roadway." [4] This definition makes the distinction that aggressive driving is a traffic violation and that road rage is a criminal offense.[ according to whom? ]

Types

Road rage can include: [5]

Effects on drivers

Drivers may become stressed by the actions of other road users Road rage.jpg
Drivers may become stressed by the actions of other road users

A stressed driver's behavior depends on that driver's coping abilities. Generally, drivers who score high on aggression tests use direct confrontation strategies when faced with stress while driving. Many drivers who experience road rage have admitted that they believe they commit more traffic violations. [6] Driving presents many stresses because of high speeds and the actions of other drivers. As stress increases, the likelihood of a person exhibiting road rage increases dramatically. [7] Typically, younger males are most susceptible to road rage. [8] Most reported cases of road rage occur because of cutting in and out of traffic, lane changes, disputes over parking spots or rude gestures. A report found that 6.8% of selected road rage incidents result in death. [9]

According to one study, people who customize their cars with stickers and other adornments are more prone to road rage. In the study, the number of territory markers predicted road rage better than did vehicle value or condition. Only the number of bumper stickers, not their content, predicted road rage. [10] [11]

Common targets of road rage are driving instructors and learner drivers; as these road users tend to follow road regulations very closely, with learners prone to making more mistakes, they are often antagonized by aggressive drivers. In 2019, a survey by British insurance provider Young Marmalade found that 77% of driving instructors face regular abuse and intimidation from other road users while teaching students, and that 8% of learner drivers have abandoned learning to drive as a result of road rage they have experienced. [12]

An electronic road sign in Massachusetts, discouraging road rage Keep Calm and Drive On, August 15, 2014 (14934776186).jpg
An electronic road sign in Massachusetts, discouraging road rage

Road rage is not an official mental disorder recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). However, according to an article published by the Associated Press in June 2006, the behaviors typically associated with road rage can be the result of a disorder known as intermittent explosive disorder that is recognized in the DSM. This conclusion was drawn from surveys of 9,200 adults in the United States between 2001 and 2003. The surveys were funded by the National Institute of Mental Health. [13]

Penalties

Road rage is a potentially serious act, and it may be seen as an endangerment of public safety. However, it is not always possible to judge intent by observation, so "road ragers" who are stopped by police may be charged with other offenses such as careless or reckless driving, or may be fined or arrested. Some consider road ragers to be criminals. [14] [15]

Australia

In New South Wales, Australia, road rage is considered an extremely serious act. Any person who "engages in a course of conduct that causes or threatens an impact involving the other vehicle" while intending to cause a person bodily harm can be charged with predatory driving, a serious offense that can send the culprit to jail for up to five years. [16] Offenders can also be fined A$100,000 and disqualified from driving, regardless of intent to physically harm the victim. If the predatory driving results in physical assault or harm, and/or the victim's car is intentionally damaged, penalties can be much more severe.[ citation needed ]

Most common-law countries prohibit common assault, which could apply to road rage in which the personal safety of the victim is seen to be threatened. The common law regards assault as both a criminal and civil matter, leading to both public criminal penalties and private civil liabilities.[ according to whom? ]

Germany

Road rage, insults, and rude gestures in traffic can lead to fines and prison sentences for drivers who shout insults or make offensive gestures while driving. [17]

New Zealand

In New Zealand, road rage in itself is not an offense, but drivers are usually charged with other offences committed during an act of road rage (usually assault or unlawful possession of an offensive weapon). [18] Drivers have a legal duty to take reasonable care to avoid endangerment of human life when operating a vehicle (s 156 Crimes Act 1961); failure to discharge this duty, such as an act of aggressive driving, can give rise to liability in criminal nuisance (s 146 Crimes Act 1961). Ramming a vehicle constitutes intentional or reckless damage to property, a criminal offense, with a maximum penalty of seven years of imprisonment (s 269 Crimes Act 1961). New Zealand courts currently have no powers to disqualify drivers who physically assault another road user. [19]

Singapore

Road rage is a crime in Singapore. Offenders found guilty of road rage may be liable to an imprisonment term of up to two years and / or a fine of up to $5,000 for causing damage. [20]

United Kingdom

In the UK, road rage can result in criminal penalties for assault or more serious offenses against the person. The Public Order Act 1986 can also apply to road rage. Sections 4A and 5 of the 1986 Act prohibit public acts likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress. Section 4 also prohibits threatening, abusive or insulting words or behavior with intent to cause a victim to believe that violence will be used against himself or another. [21]

United States

In some jurisdictions, such as the Commonwealth of Virginia, it is easier to prosecute road rage as reckless driving instead of aggressive driving simply because the burden of proof does not require intent to successfully convict.[ according to whom? ]

It is likely that those causing serious injury or death during road-rage incidents will suffer more serious penalties than those applicable to similar outcomes from simple negligence. In April 2007, a Colorado driver was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to two consecutive life terms for causing the deaths of two motorists in November 2005. [22] [23]

Fourteen U.S. states have passed laws against aggressive driving. Only one state, California, has turned "road rage" into a legal term of art by giving it a particular meaning. [24] In Virginia, aggressive driving is punished as a lesser crime (Class 2 misdemeanor) than is reckless driving (Class 1 misdemeanor). [25]

Rankings

United Kingdom

In the UK, most aggressive driving occurs in the East Riding of Yorkshire, [26] while the least occurs in Durham, [27] according to 2022 surveys.

United States

A 2007 study of the largest U.S. metropolitan areas concluded that the cities with the least courteous drivers (most road rage) are Miami, Phoenix, New York, Los Angeles and Boston. The cities with the most courteous drivers (least road rage) are Minneapolis, Nashville, St. Louis, Seattle and Atlanta. [28] In a 2009 AutoVantage survey, New York, Dallas/Fort Worth, Detroit, Atlanta and Minneapolis/St. Paul were rated the top five American cities for road rage. [29]

According to the Texas Department of Transportation, there were 2,510 road rage-related accidents in Texas in 2022, with the largest number occurring in the cities of San Antonio and Houston. The cities with the highest per capita rates were Midlothian, San Antonio and New Braunfels. [30]

See also

Related Research Articles

In the terminology of law, an assault is the act of causing physical harm or unwanted physical contact to another person, or, in some legal definitions, the threat or attempt to do so. It is both a crime and a tort and, therefore, may result in criminal prosecution, civil liability, or both. Additionally, assault is a criminal act in which a person intentionally causes fear of physical harm or offensive contact to another person. Assault can be committed with or without a weapon and can range from physical violence to threats of violence. Assault is frequently referred to as an attempt to commit battery, which is the deliberate use of physical force against another person. The deliberate inflicting of fear, apprehension, or terror is another definition of assault that can be found in several legal systems. Depending on the severity of the offense, assault may result in a fine, imprisonment, or even death.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Driving</span> Operation of a vehicle

Driving is the controlled operation and movement of a land vehicle, including cars, motorcycles, trucks, and buses. A driver's permission to drive on public highways is granted based on a set of conditions being met, and drivers are required to follow the established road and traffic laws in the location they are driving. The word "driving" has etymology dating back to the 15th century. Its meaning has changed from primarily driving working animals in the 15th century to automobiles in the 1800s. Driving skills have also developed since the 15th century, with physical, mental and safety skills being required to drive. This evolution of the skills required to drive have been accompanied by the introduction of driving laws which relate not only to the driver but also to the driveability of a car.

Drunk driving is the act of operating a motor vehicle with the operator's ability to do so impaired as a result of alcohol consumption, or with a blood alcohol level in excess of the legal limit. For drivers 21 years or older, driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher is illegal. For drivers under 21 years old, the legal limit is lower, with state limits ranging from 0.00 to 0.02. Lower BAC limits apply when operating boats, airplanes, or commercial vehicles. Among other names, the criminal offense of drunk driving may be called driving under the influence (DUI), driving while intoxicated or impaired (DWI), operating [a] vehicle under the influence of alcohol (OVI), or operating while impaired (OWI).

Battery is a criminal offense involving unlawful physical contact, distinct from assault, which is the act of creating reasonable fear or apprehension of such contact.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Driving under the influence</span> Driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of an impairing substance

Driving under the influence (DUI) is the offense of driving, operating, or being in control of a vehicle while impaired by alcohol or drugs, to a level that renders the driver incapable of operating a motor vehicle safely. Multiple other terms are used for the offense in various jurisdictions.

Vehicular homicide is a crime that involves the death of a person other than the driver as a result of either criminally negligent or murderous operation of a motor vehicle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Moving violation</span> Violation of the law committed by the driver of a vehicle while it is in motion

A moving violation or traffic violation is any violation of the law committed by the driver of a vehicle while it is in motion. The term "moving" distinguishes it from other motor vehicle violations, such as paperwork violations, parking violations, or equipment violations. The United States Department of State makes reference to moving violations in its enforcement guidance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tailgating</span> Unsafe driving practice when a driver follows another too closely

Tailgating is the action of a driver driving behind another vehicle while not leaving sufficient distance to stop without causing a collision if the vehicle in front stops suddenly.

In criminal law and in the law of tort, recklessness may be defined as the state of mind where a person deliberately and unjustifiably pursues a course of action while consciously disregarding any risks flowing from such action. Recklessness is less culpable than malice, but is more blameworthy than carelessness.

Many countries have adopted a penalty point/demerit point system under which a person's driving license is revoked or suspended based on the number of points they have accumulated over a specific period of time. Points are given for traffic offenses or infringements committed during that period. The demerit points schemes of each jurisdiction vary. These demerit schemes are usually in addition to fines or other penalties which may be imposed for a particular offence or infringement.

Aggressive driving is defined by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as the behaviour of an individual who "commits a combination of moving traffic offences so as to endanger other persons or property."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reckless driving</span> Major moving traffic violation

In United States law, reckless driving is a major moving violation related to aggressive driving that generally consists of driving a vehicle with willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property. It is usually a more serious offense than careless driving, improper driving, or driving without due care and attention, and is often punishable by fines, imprisonment, or the suspension or revocation of one's driver's license. In Commonwealth countries, the offense of dangerous driving applies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Traffic collision</span> Incident when a vehicle collides with another object

A traffic collision, also known as a motor vehicle collision, or car crash, occurs when a vehicle collides with another vehicle, pedestrian, animal, road debris, or other moving or stationary obstruction, such as a tree, pole or building. Traffic collisions often result in injury, disability, death, and property damage as well as financial costs to both society and the individuals involved. Road transport is statistically the most dangerous situation people deal with on a daily basis, but casualty figures from such incidents attract less media attention than other, less frequent types of tragedy. The commonly used term car accident is increasingly falling out of favor with many government departments and organizations, with the Associated Press style guide recommending caution before using the term and the National Union of Journalists advising against it in their Road Collision Reporting Guidelines. Some collisions are intentional vehicle-ramming attacks, staged crashes, vehicular homicide or vehicular suicide.

In United Kingdom law, dangerous driving is a statutory offence related to aggressive driving. It is also a term of art used in the definition of the offence of causing death by dangerous driving. It replaces the former offence of reckless driving. Canada's Criminal Code has equivalent provisions covering dangerous driving.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bike rage</span> Angry or aggressive behaviour involving cycling

Bike rage refers to form of road rage in which acts of verbal or gestural anger or physical aggression between cyclists and other users of bike paths or roadways, including pedestrians, other cyclists, motorcyclists, or drivers. Bike rage can consist of shouting at other road users, making obscene gestures or threats, hitting or punching, or in rare cases, even more violent acts. The term can refer either to acts committed by cyclists or by other road users against cyclists. Bike rage is related to other explosive outbursts of anger such as road rage.

The laws of driving under the influence vary between countries. One difference is the acceptable limit of blood alcohol content before a person is charged with a crime. Thresholds range from the limit of detection (zero-tolerance) to 0.08%. Some countries have no limits or laws on blood alcohol content.

Driving without due care and attention or careless driving is a legal term for a particular type of moving traffic violation related to aggressive driving in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Ireland. It is often punishable by fines or endorsements like suspensions on a driver's license.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Distracted driving</span> Driving while engaging in other activities

Distracted driving is the act of driving while engaging in other activities which distract the driver's attention away from the road. Distractions are shown to compromise the safety of the driver, passengers, pedestrians, and people in other vehicles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hit and run</span> Failing to stop after causing or contributing to a traffic collision

In traffic laws, a hit and run or a hit-and-run is the criminal act of causing a traffic collision and not stopping afterwards. It is considered a supplemental crime in most jurisdictions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hollywood Stuntz gang assault</span> Road incident in New York City, United States

On September 29, 2013, motorist Alexian Lien was assaulted while driving on the Henry Hudson Parkway in New York City. Lien had gotten into an altercation earlier in the day with motorcyclists who were participating in a rally called Hollywood's Block Party. One of the bikers pulled in front of Lien and slowed dramatically. Lien said that he struck the bike from behind, stopped his vehicle, and was quickly surrounded by bikers, who began attacking his SUV. He testified that he feared for his life. Lien accelerated, driving his SUV over Edwin Mieses, paralyzing him, and also running over several motorcycles. Lien then fled the scene in his SUV. A chase ensued, which ended in Lien being pulled from his vehicle and beaten. The media later reported that the involved bikers were members of a loose association of high-performance motorcycle enthusiasts known as "Hollywood Stuntz" who had previously been observed and filmed engaging in reckless driving and threatening motorists.

References

  1. ↑ Bjureberg, Johan; Gross, James J. (2021). "Regulating road rage". Social and Personality Psychology Compass. 15 (3). doi: 10.1111/spc3.12586 . PMC   8114946 . PMID   33995563.
  2. ↑ Mizell, Louis (March 1, 1997). "Aggressive Driving: Three Studies". National Transportation Library. AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.
  3. ↑ Sansone, Randy A.; Sansone, Lori A. (July 2010). "Road Rage: What's Driving It?". Psychiatry. 7 (7): 14–18. PMC   2922361 . PMID   20805914.
  4. ↑ "Aggressive Driving and Other Laws". National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Retrieved 2024-09-09.
  5. ↑ "Chapter 8: Defensive Driving". New York DMV. 2013-11-25. Retrieved 2020-11-03.
  6. ↑ "What Causes Road Rage | Road Rage Defined | How to Deal with Road Rage". www.safemotorist.com. Retrieved 2016-04-22.
  7. ↑ Shamoa-Nir, Lipaz (2023). "Road rage and aggressive driving behaviors: The role of state-trait anxiety and coping strategies". Transportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives. 18: 100780. Bibcode:2023TrRIP..1800780S. doi: 10.1016/j.trip.2023.100780 .
  8. ↑ Davis, Susan. "Road Rage: What It Is, How to Avoid It". WebMD. Retrieved 2016-04-22.
  9. ↑ Mann, Robert E.; Smart, Reginald G. (2002-10-01). "Deaths and injuries from road rage: cases in Canadian newspapers". CMAJ. 167 (7): 761–762. ISSN   0820-3946. PMC   126507 . PMID   12389837.
  10. ↑ Kaplan, Matt (13 June 2008). "Bumper stickers reveal link to road rage". Nature. doi:10.1038/news.2008.889 . Retrieved August 28, 2016.
  11. ↑ Szlemko, William J.; et al. (21 May 2008). "Territorial Markings as a Predictor of Driver Aggression and Road Rage". Journal of Applied Social Psychology. 38 (6): 1664–1688. doi:10.1111/j.1559-1816.2008.00364.x.
  12. ↑ "Stop dangerous driving around learner drivers". Driver Hub. Young Marmalade . Retrieved 9 February 2020.
  13. ↑ "'Road rage' gets a medical diagnosis". msnbc.com. 2006-06-05. Archived from the original on August 31, 2013. Retrieved 2019-09-20.
  14. ↑ "Man charged over road rage incident". ABC News. March 31, 2010. Retrieved August 19, 2011.
  15. ↑ "McSherrystown man charged in road-rage incident". York Dispatch. 2011-08-10. Retrieved August 19, 2011.
  16. ↑ "CRIMES ACT 1900 - SECT 51A Predatory driving". classic.austlii.edu.au. Retrieved 2020-10-27.
  17. ↑ Robert Szostek (November 24, 2009). "Road rage, insults, rude gestures can lead to fines, prison in Germany" (PDF). U.S. Army Europe Office of the Provost Marshal Public Affairs Office. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 2, 2017.
  18. ↑ Sewell, Rochelle (July 29, 2017). "Road rage: Why human behaviour changes behind the wheel". Stuff. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  19. ↑ Experts, Disha. 101 Essays for IAS/ PCS & other Competitive Exams. Disha Publications. ISBN   9789386320940.
  20. ↑ Chong, Elena. "Bus driver jailed one week for road rage". Straits Times. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
  21. ↑ "Public Order Act 1986". Statutelaw.gov.uk. Retrieved 2013-03-12.
  22. ↑ Nicholson, Kieran (2007-04-16). "Road-rage killer unrepentant". The Denver Post. Retrieved 2013-03-12.
  23. ↑ Road-rage driver offers blame at sentencing: Local News: The Rocky Mountain News Archived May 28, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  24. ↑ "V.C. Section 13210 - Court-Ordered Suspension: Road Rage". Dmv.ca.gov. 2008-05-22. Archived from the original on 9 March 2013. Retrieved 2013-03-12.
  25. ↑ Michael Winter (2015-02-20). "Suspect in Las Vegas road-rage killing knew victim". Usatoday.com. Retrieved 2015-11-02.
  26. ↑ Horner, Emily (20 October 2022). "East Riding of Yorkshire ranked the road rage capital of UK". The Press (York) . Retrieved 10 June 2023.
  27. ↑ "Road Rage Capitals: The UK's Angriest Drivers". 23 August 2022. Retrieved 10 June 2023.
  28. ↑ "Road Rage Survey Reveals Best, Worst Cities". Theautochannel.com. Retrieved 2013-03-12.
  29. ↑ "Top 10 Best & Worst US Cities for Road Rage". Marketingcharts.com. 2009-06-24. Retrieved 2018-04-11.
  30. ↑ "Texas Road Rage Accidents in 2022". Ramsey Law Group. 20 February 2023. Retrieved 10 June 2023.

General sources

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