No, you’re not imagining it.
Aggressive driving is on the rise in Florida:
- In a South Florida road rage incident, the driver of a car and motorcycle rider chased each other at speeds of up to 130 mph, with the whole thing captured and posted as a video on social media.
- Edgar Kellar is accused of spraying another driver with pepper spray. The driver had asked Kellar to stop tailgating.
- Jay Anderson says he encountered road rage, ironically enough, on his way to teach a high-risk driver course at Lee Memorial Hospital in Ft. Meyers. Anderson was cut off by a driver on his cell phone, and, after motioning to the other driver to put the phone down, Anderson was threatened with a gun.
- Lester Bermudez Lozada shot a tow truck driver in Lehigh, Florida, after an argument about the driver blocking a driveway.
- 27 year-old Don Alvarez was shot and killed after a confrontation in traffic in Ft. Lauderdale.
- And one horrifying incident– captured on video —with a silver car on a Florida road swerving towards a motorcycle and knocking it down, along with the motorcycle’s driver and passenger. Then the car drives away—over the motorcycle.
Trish Routte with Crime Stoppers says tempers are flaring on Florida roadways. “We’re definitely seeing more incidents of rage,” she said. “People are just having a total lack of patience.”
And what, exactly, constitutes aggressive driving?
“Typically it’s two or more violations, either speed, changing lanes, violation of a traffic control device which is stop signs, red lights,” said Florida Highway Patrol Sergeant Elmore. However, he said that “Following too close is the number one that we see that actually creates problems with other drivers when it comes to aggressive driving.”
Aggressive driving is real, and it’s prevalent. The American Automobile Association (AAA) just released a survey that indicates nearly 90% of all respondents feel aggressive drivers are a “somewhat” or “very serious” threat to them personally. The same survey found that there’s plenty of blame to go around: a substantial number of drivers admitted that they engaged in aggressive behaviors such as speeding on both roadways and in neighborhoods, or running red lights.
The AAA Foundation has linked aggressive driving actions such as tailgating, erratic changing of lanes, or illegal passing as a factor in up to 56% of fatal crashes.
“I think we’re surprised at how often it’s occurring… and people tend to under report,” said Tamra Johnson from AAA.
So how to avoid getting caught up in a road rage incident? Some great advice in this AAA Foundation pamphlet you can download here, or consider these tips:
Avoid the behaviors most likely to offend such as:
- Cutting other drivers off
- Not using turn signals
- Driving slowly in the left lane
- Following too closely to the car ahead (tailgating)
- Making rude gestures
- Using your horn
Basically? Adopt a ‘be my guest’ attitude with other drivers, and don’t get yourself worked up. You’ll not only arrive alive, but with less aggravation. Road rage is alive and well—and aggressive driving causes accidents.
Have you or a loved one been injured in a motor vehicle accident or in a road rage incident in Florida?
If so, the attorneys at Thomas and Pearl want to speak to you. Thomas and Pearl have the staff to investigate accidents to help tell your story. Gathering of eyewitness testimony, recreating accident scenes, and analyzing police reports are only some of the techniques used by Thomas and Pearl to prove you were in the right. And expert medical opinions regarding your injuries to help justify proper compensation because of the aggressive driving of the other driver.
Before you speak with an insurance company that will attempt to settle your case in their best interest, call Thomas and Pearl. Your Thomas and Pearl attorney will be there to help you represent your best interests.
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