Road Rage: Dying to Drive :

This guy better get out of my way -- he’s driving too slowly in the fast lane. That light is not going to get any greener! This a-hole behind me better quit tailgating; I’ll just slam on my brakes to teach him a lesson. This jerk just cut me off -- that’s it, here comes the finger!

Sound familiar?

With all the idiots on the road these days, it’s no surprise that a highly competent and careful driver like you would get frustrated. Work pressure, dense traffic congestion, weather, noise levels and time constraints are all factors that can contribute to road rage. Vein-popping, middle-finger-thrusting, horn-honking, high-beam-flashing, tailgating, gun-toting, vehicle-ramming road rage. Everyone has experienced it in some form, according to the AAA Foundation, which estimates nearly 100 percent of drivers have encountered road rage or its precursor, aggressive driving.

It’s hard sometimes to differentiate the two. Road rage is defined by the federal government as “any act intended to threaten, injure or kill another person” and usually results in some sort of assault and battery. Aggressive driving does not necessarily result in injury, but does involve multiple traffic violations committed by a driver within a few minutes (weaving in and out of traffic, tailgating, unnecessary braking, excessive speeding, etc).

Drive like a maniac -- aggressive driver. Get out of your car and shoot someone for cutting you off -- road rage. Luckily, you’re one of the good ones. Sure, you occasionally “fly the bird,” honk your horn or maybe even do a little tailgating, but that was just to show those imbeciles you’re not to be messed with.

Well, if you’re not part of the solution, then you’re part of the problem.

According to the AAA Foundation, evidence indicates a 12 percent increase per year in road rage cases. Police report about 1,200 road rage cases a year as assault and battery, as well as vehicular homicide. One source estimates about 200 people a year are killed in road rage duels.

While statistics show most road rage cases tend to be young males with poor education, a history of violence, and drug or alcohol problems, it’s becoming increasingly apparent that anyone can succumb to road rage. More women are committing acts of road rage than ever before, and even our precious celebrities are road raging, including the likes of Michael J. Fox, Hugh Grant and Gene Hackman.

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