Once again, it’s the time of year when we return to classes and structured schedules for everyone from kindergarten to graduate students. Oftentimes, this can lead to an increase of automobiles on the road and this is especially true for college towns. As is always the case, it’s important to remain focused and diligent on the road but it’s especially important for the back-to-school season.
Something that typically occurs amongst drivers when the roads are blocked up with increased traffic is road rage and violent situations can ensue, causing damage and injury to everyone involved. Ensuring that you can keep yourself and others safe is of the utmost importance and knowing how the back-to-school season can lead to increased car accidents and road rage incidents is the first step to being safe on the road. Read more below about some of the statistics that come along with this time of year.
Facts About Increased Accidents and Road Rage During Back-to-School
According to the National Safety Council, most children who lose their life in bus-related incidents are four to seven years old. This is due to drivers illegally passing a stopped bus.
There is a difference between aggressive driving and road rage. Aggressive driving is defined as when an individual driver commits a combination of moving traffic offenses so as to endanger other persons or property. Road rage takes it one step further with violence and extremely deliberate and unsafe driving that poses an immediate and significant risk to property and others.
The most common types of road rage include yelling, tailgating, or honking at other vehicles.
Road rage is a factor in more than half of all fatal car crashes.
Over a seven-year period, road rage caused 218 murders and 12,610 injuries.
2021 was the deadliest year for road rage resulting in an average of 44 people shot and killed or injured per month.
According to AAA, drivers between the ages of 25 and 39 are the most likely to exhibit road rage behaviors.
What Triggers Road Rage?
There are three main trigger factors when it comes to road rage and they are:
Impatience while waiting at traffic lights or for parking
Impatience waiting for passengers to enter their vehicle
Anger when a multi-lane highway narrows.
The common theme here is that road rage occurs when increased traffic causes delays.
Being aware of the statistics is a good way to protect yourself and slow down. Pay attention to the reasons traffic has increased and plan to leave early for school so as to prepare for delays and still arrive on time.
What to Do if You’re A Victim of Road Rage
If you or any passengers within your vehicle are injured due to an accident caused by road rage or aggressive driving, it’s important to make sure that you contact a personal injury attorney immediately. Injuries can last a lifetime and it’s important that you're compensated for your pain and suffering.
If you’re looking for an auto accident lawyer in Atlanta, don’t hesitate to reach out to the professionals at Lloyd H. Thomas Law.
