According to a recent survey reported in an online magazine directed at insurance executives, Virginia ranks among the worst states for road rage incidents.
The survey concluded Virginia ranked seventh among all states with respect to the frequency of road rage.
Nearly 1 out of 10 Virginia drivers said that they frequently felt like their fellow Virginia motorists were driving aggressively or targeting them out of anger. Likewise, 9% also said that another driver got angry enough to confront them outside of their vehicle on at least one occasion.
Overall, just over 40% of drivers said they had witnessed road rage, with around 1 in 3 saying they had been victims of road rage themselves. Over 1 in 5 drivers that they had become angry themselves.
The survey defined road rage as behaviors in one of these categories:
- Forcing another car out of their lane or off the road
- Cutting another motorist off intentionally
- Leaving one’s vehicle to start a verbal confrontation
- Yelling, insulting, making rude gestures or swearing
- Blocking a car from merging or trying to change lanes
- Intentionally tailgating
- Angrily honking
Those who engage in road rage and cause wrecks can be held accountable
Most of the driving behaviors the survey classified as road rage are both illegal and dangerous. It is unfortunate that aggressive driving is so common in Virginia, since it can cause motor vehicle collisions that lead to serious injuries or even fatalities.
Road rage goes beyond careless behavior. People who cannot control their anger really should not be operating a heavy piece of machinery like a vehicle. If they do cause serious wrecks in their anger, they should be held accountable.
In addition to any criminal charges, drivers who hurt someone because of their road rage should have to pay full compensation to their victims.