Pick any major highway in Alabama, and it is only a matter of time before a road rage shooting occurs. When you hear of road violence in the United States, are you thankful if it is not in Alabama? Perhaps that is because you know the next one could be here.

Lethal road rage is on the increase. The federal government predicts about 40 to 50 road rage deaths per month in our country, which is about 1 per state per month every month.

2021 had the highest number of road rage deaths ever. Though it is unclear why road rage is turning so deadly, one theory is that the pandemic has added almost intolerable stress to some people’s lives.

So, what do you do if you are in an aggressive situation with another driver? The American Safety Council advises that you do not react or retaliate – whether the fault is yours or not. The Council says to remind yourself that the other driver is behaving irrationally. It also suggests you avoid eye contact. In short, don’t engage, do drive safely, and retreat if necessary.

As I mentioned last week, road rage, in all forms, is increasing. AAA surveyed drivers and found that 8 out of 10 say they were part of or witnessed a road rage incident within the last 30 days. It cited some examples, including excessive horn honking, shouting at another driver, and aggressive lane changes.

The incidents of road rage are not going away. As the Council says, think twice before you flash your lights or flip the finger. The situation can become dangerous very quickly.

Join us on NBC 15 LawCall here in Mobile every Sunday night at 10:30, right after the news. We are taking a fall break and will offer 5-minute segments for the rest of the year and a live call-in segment every Monday on NBC 15 at around lunchtime. You can also call the Eiland & Ritchie offices. We specifically set aside a few hours Monday morning to answer your questions.

Allen Ritchie

Alabama Personal Injury Lawyer

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