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According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety (AAA), aggressive driving and road rage is on the rise. “At least 1,500 people are injured or killed each year because of senseless traffic disputes.” 

In South Florida, road rage incidents are high. Here are just a few that happened in the last month: 

• News Channel 8 reported April 29, 2016 on an incident near the Miami-Dade College campus in Kendall, FL. Video shows a man on the hood of a car holding on as it made a tight U-turn. Witnesses to the incident said an argument was sparked between passengers in two cars when suddenly one man jumped on the hood of the other car as the driver accelerated.
• In Cape Coral, one person was hospitalized with a non-life-threatening wound after gunfire erupted following an afternoon roadway confrontation. An undisclosed number of rounds of ammunition was fired, according to NBC-2 News on May 10, 2016. 
• Another NBC-2 story May 23, 2016 detailed parents being woken up with gunshots. When checking their children, they found bullet holes through the bedroom wall of their Lehigh Acres home. Investigators being interviewed said an altercation started as a case of road rage. The victims reported to the deputies at the scene that a Honda was driving on the wrong side of the road. When a driver honked to get the other driver’s attention, the Honda driver followed them home. 

What is road rage? 

Loosely defined by AngerManagementResource.com, road rage is "frustration manifested in actions including tailing slower drivers, obscene gestures and other actions that may lead to an accident.” 

The anger management website gives the following specific examples of road rage: 

• Tailgating, or following too closely
• Deliberately cutting off other motorists
• Driving too fast in any lane
• Driving too slowly in the fast lane
• Obscene gestures
• Yelling, screaming and cursing
• Running other motorists off the road
• Physical violence 

Being named, for the last three consecutive years, “Road Rage Capital of the United States” is not an honor for South Florida; however, this title was bestowed on South Florida by the Road Rage Survey conducted by AutoVantage. 

Is road rage against the law? 

Florida law does address the issue of road rage. The Florida legislature defines aggressive driving (often used synonymously with road rage) as, "At least two of the following: speeding, unsafe or improper lane change, following too closely, failure to yield right of way, improper passing, failure to obey traffic control devices.” Florida law states that road rage falls under the reckless driver category. Reckless drivers can face both criminal and civil penalties. There may also be punitive damages if road rage involves intentional acts of harm. 

How to avoid becoming a victim of road rage? 

Charles Mondalto, a crime expert, in How to Avoid Becoming a Victim of Road Rage, recommends the following: 

1. Obey posted speed limits and traffic laws.
2. Keep to the right if you are a slower driver.
3. If you see an individual driving recklessly and have a cell phone, call 911 with a description of the car and the license plate number, if possible.
4. Be cautious of other drivers, and expect the unexpected.
5. Do not make eye contact with an irate driver.
6. Do not confront an upset motorist.
7. If you are cut off, do not make any hand gestures to the other motorist.
8. If you are being chased by another motorist who appears to be in a rage, do not weave in and out of traffic. You could cause harm to yourself, passengers, and other motorists.
9. If you are being chased, drive with the flow of traffic. If you have a cell phone, call 911. Go to a place where you feel safe.
10. If you have to pull over, try to go to a well-lighted location where there are other people. 

“Being involved in an accident with a reckless driver may be traumatic. Should this happen to you or a loved one, contact our experienced legal team at Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.,” said Naples Personal Injury Attorney, Randall Spivey.

Naples Personal Injury Attorney, Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by just one (1%) percent of Florida attorneys. He has handled over 2,000 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida. For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at 239.337.7483 or toll free at 1.888.477.4839,or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com. Visit SpiveyLaw.com for more information. You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County 239.793.7748.