Aggressive driving is a dangerous epidemic

Most Americans know what road rage feels like. Most understand the tightness in their chest and overwhelming frustration when another vehicle cuts you off. While frustration alone is not problematic, it can become a problem when it grows into road rage. Road rage itself is a major factor behind why American roads can be so dangerous. 

However, road rage does not have to escalate. WebMD describes those who act on road rage to generally be vindictive, angry and selfish. Often road rage offenders have offended at least 27 times before. Those who experience the worse symptoms of road rage may have difficulties with anger and violence in their personal life also. 

In 2016, CNN reports, 80 percent of all polled drivers expressed anger or aggression when driving in a year. Another half of those respondents tailgated other drivers on purpose, whereas almost half of those drivers yelled at others or honked their horns. Around 30 percent made obscene gestures to show their frustration.

Fatal car crash deaths due to aggression are on the rise. To make matters more serious, there are nearly two instances a day of gun violence in road rage situations. 

There are a lot of reasons why drivers may become angrier. Often, it comes down to their professional and personal lives. To avoid road rage, they need to take matters into their own hands. They can use tactics to reduce stress levels in everyday life before they get behind the wheel. When driving, it is crucial that drivers remain courteous and polite. Drivers should refrain from acting aggressively, becoming distracted or otherwise thinking little of the other drivers and passengers on the road. One major rule is to never escalate a problem and assume all negative actions or behaviors are accidents.