Road Rage

If you’re looking for one tip on how NOT to become a victim of road rage, well here you go. STAY OUT OF THE LEFT LANE! Thank you and good night. Okay, it’s not quite that easy but that is an important one; more on that later. 

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles describes road rage as violent or visibly angry behavior by a driver, which can result in crashes or other incidents on roadways. Signs include sudden acceleration or braking; following too closely; cutting off other drivers; preventing other vehicles from merging into your lane; excessively hitting the horn or flashing headlights; shouting obscenities or threats; making obscene hand gestures; intentionally causing a crash; getting out of a vehicle in an attempt to start a confrontation; using a weapon or threatening to use a weapon; and/or throwing objects from the vehicle. If another driver is threatening you or intentionally driving dangerously around you, remain calm and try to put as much distance between you and them as possible. Slow down and let them pass. Do not make eye contact; do not make obscene gestures. If you need help, call *FHP (*347) or 911.

* In 2023, 92% witnessed an act of road rage in the past year (The Zebra).

* A total of 12,610 injuries and 218 murders have been attributed to road rage over a seven-year period in the United States (Safe Motorist).

* In 2022, someone was shot and killed in a road rage incident every 16 hours (Everytown Research).

* 66% of traffic fatalities are caused by aggressive driving (NHTSA).

* Road rage has been responsible for about 300 deaths since 2013 (NHTSA).

* 30 murders annually are linked to road rage (American Psychological Association).

* 50% of drivers respond to the careless acts of other drivers with aggressive behavior themselves (American Psychology Association).

* 94% of traffic accidents are caused by driver error (NPR).

* 37% of aggressive driving incidents involve a firearm (AutoVantage Club).

* 500% increase in reported cases of road rage over the last 10 years (CNN).

A report in FORBES Advisor stated that in 2023-2024, 41% of drivers witnessed an act of road rage, 32% experienced road rage from another driver, and ​​22% felt road rage themselves. Among the drivers they surveyed, the top reasons cited for feeling road rage include:

* Another driver was driving badly (40%)

* Another driver was driving aggressively (38%)

* Another driver cut me off (31%)

* I was already feeling stressed (29%)

* Another driver was tailgating me (27%)

In my Situational Awareness How to be Safe PowerPoint, I discuss road rage. Specifically, how not to become a victim. Often, the question that comes up is just how serious is road rage and aggressive driving in our area, and what are the local law enforcement agencies doing to combat road rage? I reached out to Collier County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Scott Kaplin who oversees the Sheriff’s Special Operations Division Motor Squad, traffic enforcement guys to the rest of us. I asked Scott to give us some comments on the subject.

Sgt Kaplan just how serious are road rage incidents and aggressive drivers in Collier County?

Road rage and aggressive driving are serious concerns in Collier County, as they can lead to dangerous situations on the road. These incidents can escalate quickly, leading to accidents, injuries, or even confrontations.

What does the Collier County Sheriff's Office do to combat aggressive drivers and road rage incidents?

The Collier County Sheriff's Office actively works to reduce aggressive driving and road rage through a combination of enforcement, education, and public awareness. CCSO conducts increased patrols, particularly in high-traffic areas, to deter reckless behavior. The Safety Traffic Enforcement Bureau (STEB) utilize motorcycles and unmarked vehicles to conduct targeted operations aimed at reducing dangerous driving.

What should people do if they observe aggressive drivers or a road rage incident? Who should they call? Is this a 911 call or should they call the non-emergency number?

If someone witnesses a road rage incident that poses an immediate threat to safety, call 911. Do not follow the vehicle. For less urgent cases where there's no immediate danger, they can contact our non-emergency line at 239-252-9300.

What can drivers do to not become a victim of road rage? In my PowerPoint presentation one of the big recommendations is stop hanging out in the left lane unless you're passing another can or turning left. Your thoughts on left lane drivers and any other suggestions like don't gesture at someone who cuts you off, etc.?

* Remain calm and avoid engaging with aggressive drivers.

* Avoid using gestures, honking excessively, or driving too closely to another vehicle.

* Give aggressive drivers plenty of space and avoid making eye contact.

* If someone is driving aggressively, it’s best to safely change lanes or slow down to let them pass.

What can a driver do IF they become a victim of road rage? One of the things I recommend in my PowerPoint is not to engage the road rage suspect in any way, drive into a public parking lot like a Racetrack gas station, pull up to the front door, DON'T get out of the car, just honk the car horn over and over to attract witnesses and maybe help. 

Stay calm

* Do not stop to confront the other driver.

* Drive to a public, safe location if possible

* Call 911 immediately if the aggressive driver poses an immediate threat or is following you.

* Report the incident to law enforcement and provide as many details as possible to the dispatcher. Example of details include vehicle's description, license plate number, driver description if possible, and direction of travel.

So, let's discuss hanging out in that left lane. In my discussions, I talk about not becoming a target or the trigger of an attack. Regarding aggressive drivers, you should avoid inadvertently becoming the trigger to someone’s rage. The example I use is the driver speeding up behind you just got chewed out by his boss, his wife is leaving him, his girlfriend is mad at him, his dog bit him, he is out of beer, and his tires are bald, AND you have the audacity to be driving the speed limit in the left (passing) lane. See my point? Stay out of the left lane. Speeding and just bad drivers are not in your purview to “teach a lesson to” by setting up a rolling roadblock. 

Something else to ponder: you do not need a permit of any kind to have a firearm in a vehicle in Florida. I bring up this point NOT because this is either a good thing or a bad thing. I mention it because potentially every car on the road around you has a gun in it, and you are giving an obscene gesture, “brake checking,” or cutting off a car with a gun in it! 

Here are some last points I use in my PowerPoint food for thought,

Now is the time to be polite. 

It's not the Grand Prix - you’re not going to win anything by being first over the line. 

You might be right, BUT is it really worth it? 

Stay in the right lane until you need to pass or turn left. DON'T BE A TRIGGER!

Give the guy in the front room. Yes, someone will cut in - let them (see number two above).

Ignore the universal hand signal, horn honking, and “the look.” DON'T respond in kind.

If you feel threatened, call 911, pull into a public area. Stay in your car and honk the horn (A LOT) to get attention.

Stay safe and as Sergeant Kaplin stated, and I agree with wholeheartedly, DON’T HESITATE TO CALL 911 if you suspect a crime is occurring, and just to add to that any suspected medical emergency or suspicious incident.