Road Rage Accidents In Oklahoma City

We’ve all sighed, muttered under our breath, or even cursed out loud when another driver cuts us off in traffic or causes a near-miss. In some cases, we ARE the driver who makes an error that frustrates another motorist. Fortunately, most people soon forget about it and move forward with their day. In some cases, however, a negative experience on the road spurs a driver beyond frustration and into irrational anger and aggressive driving actions that put others at risk. This is road rage, a dangerous phenomenon that’s becoming increasingly common in Oklahoma City and elsewhere. Make sure to contact a car accident lawyer in Oklahoma City for legal guidance.

Startling Road Rage Statistics

Road rage incidents are not as uncommon as you might think. In a 2024 survey, 96% of surveyed drivers reported witnessing a road rage incident during the six months prior to the study. The following national statistics on road rage are alarming:

  • According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), as much as 66% of traffic fatalities in the U.S. are caused by aggressive driving
  • At least 12,610 injuries and 218 murders were attributed to road rage over a seven-year study
  • There has been a 500% increase in road rage cases in the past decade
  • At least 50% of drivers react aggressively to the mistakes of other drivers

Drivers who become outraged while behind the wheel may cease to behave rationally and engage in reckless or aggressive driving behaviors that endanger the target of their road rage and others on the road.

What are the Common Causes of Road Rage In Oklahoma City?

Drivers who experience road rage not only drive recklessly and show poor judgment in their actions behind the wheel, but they also sometimes become confrontational, resulting in acts of intentional violence as well as car accidents. Sadly, road rage is often triggered by the following common human experiences:

  • Frustration
  • Fear of being late for work or an appointment
  • Stress
  • Anxiety
  • Emotional problems
  • Mental illness
  • Intoxication
  • Disregard for traffic laws

When a driver experiences any of the above, another driver’s careless mistake or thoughtless action can escalate their emotions into dangerous road rage, resulting in car accidents and acts of violence.

Recognizing Road Rage In Oklahoma City

It’s important to know the signs of road rage so you can quickly identify it in other drivers and evade them as soon as possible to avoid an accident. It’s also crucial to recognize these behaviors in yourself so you can diffuse the situation and seek a place to calm down before returning to the road. Common signs of road rage include the following:

  • Weaving or erratic lane changes
  • Unnecessary horn-honking
  • Shouting, swearing, and making rude gestures
  • Yelling threats at other drivers
  • Aggressively tailgating
  • Brake-checking (intentionally and repeatedly hitting the brakes in front of another car)
  • Improper passing on the side of the road, in medians, or on sidewalks
  • Excessive speeding
  • Engine revving
  • Intentionally blocking other drivers
  • Disregarding signals and signs
  • Intentionally following or stalking another driver
  • Ramming

In the worst cases, a driver with road rage may intentionally cause an accident or exit their vehicle for a physical confrontation. An alarming 37% of road rage incidents involve guns.

How Can an Oklahoma City Road Rage Accident Lawyer Help?

If you’ve suffered injuries in an accident caused by a driver who exhibited road rage behaviors, call the injury lawyers in Oklahoma City at Dan Davis Law so we can hold the aggressive driver financially accountable for their actions. A successful claim could recover compensation for damages such as property damage, medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Punitive damages may also be available if the driver engaged in egregious wrongdoing. Contact us today.