Aggressive driving, or “road rage,” when it is particularly severe, is on the rise across Tennessee and the rest of the United States, and this spells trouble for all motorists. Research shows that road rage is a factor in more than half of all fatal car wrecks nationwide. Research also shows that Tennessee is among the worst states in the country for aggressive driving.
Per Bankrate, Tennessee currently ranks fourth in the nation when it comes to road rage incidents involving firearms, trailing only behind Florida, California and Texas.
Road rage statistics
According to one study, road rage plays a role in an estimated 1,800 crash-related injuries and 30 crash fatalities each year. Also, over a recent seven-year span, road rage contributed to 12,620 injuries and 218 murders. Many American motorists admit to driving aggressively or experiencing road rage, with almost 80% of drivers admitting to aggressive behaviors, such as tailgating or honking their horns, within the last year.
Road rage behaviors
Road rage takes many forms. Sometimes, it involves honking, yelling or making obscene gestures. Other times, it involves a driver cutting off another motorist, weaving dangerously in and out of traffic or blocking someone as they attempt to change lanes or exit the roadway. Tailgating, research shows, is the most common road rage behavior exhibited across the United States. Yelling, honking and gesturing took spots two, three and four.
Many instances of road rage also result from similar circumstances, such as drivers who are running late or feeling impatient while waiting for traffic lights to change or slower motorists to move.
