Georgia Road Rage
It’s been a long, stressful day at work. You’re exhausted and want to go home. Suddenly you’re stuck behind a slow moving vehicle driving in the passing lane. Frustrated, you attempt to maneuver around them when they suddenly switch back into the right lane, cutting you off. You become angry and as you get closer to the vehicle you notice a sign that reads “baby on board.” This makes you relax and you go on your way. The problem is that many people are not able to calm themselves down, which leads to road rage.
Road rage can be thought of as any violent driving activity. Often times sparked by aggressive and/or poor driving, emotions can get the better of people leading to intense anger and feelings of revenge. Suddenly a bad situation turns into something much worse. The resulting aftermath can mean fines, higher insurance, jail time, and anger management / educational courses.
Causes and examples of road rage:
- Inappropriate Gestures
- Tailgating
- Flashing lights
- Sounding the horn
- Shouting
- Approaching or threatening another driver
First off, never approach another driver, particularly in a heated situation. Second, limit gestures to other drivers. Sometimes even a simple wave can be misinterpreted. Third, avoid driving aggressively. Leave with plenty of time to get to where you’re going and you won’t feel so rushed. Finally, if you feel too upset to drive, pull over for a few minutes and take a breather. Most likely, you’ll feel completely different about the situation and be ready to start driving again.
Road rage can quickly grab the attention of law enforcement. Charges may range from reckless driving, aggressive driving, assault/battery, or vehicular homicide. Every charge has its own potential consequences ranging from fines to loss of license or imprisonment. One thing is for sure, if someone appears to suffer from road rage, they will likely be required to take anger management courses.
Have you or someone you know been criminal charged because of an issue stemming from road rage?
If you are unfortunately charged with a crime related to road rage, please contact the law offices of Head, Thomas, Webb, & Willis. They’ll make you aware of your rights and guide you in the right direction. You charges may be completely dropped!
