How to Prevent Road Rage in Your Fleet
Road rage is a surprisingly common problem that has seen a meteoric rise. From 2006 to 2015, road rage fatalities rose from 80 to 467—a 483.75% increase. Even highly trained and experienced drivers can experience road rage depending on the circumstances. Other aggressive drivers can strain a commercial driver’s patience. Running late, lengthy traffic jams, and long workdays are also contributing factors to incidents of road rage.
What is Road Rage?
Sudden, explosive anger behind the wheel characterizes most incidents of road rage. Drivers let their anger get the better of them after too many inconveniences or instances of annoyance while driving. Yelling is the most common example of road rage, but it can take many forms. These include:
- Inappropriate honking
- Speeding
- Tailgating
- Weaving
- Cutting off other vehicles on purpose
- Blocking other vehicles from changing lanes
- Driving on a median, sidewalk, or road shoulder
- Following the driver that triggered the rage
- Ramming or sideswiping the perceived offender
- Forcing another vehicle off the road
- Exiting the vehicle to confront another driver
Tips to Keep Calm
Commercial drivers can take several steps to reduce the likelihood of road rage. Alleviating any stressors before getting behind the wheel is critical, as a driver’s fuse is likely to be much shorter if they’re already annoyed. Taking the time to calm down before driving can help the driver keep a level head while on the road.
Running late is one of the primary causes of road rage; leaving 10-15 minutes early can help prevent it. If drivers leave ahead of schedule, they’re not as stressed or irritated by slow traffic. They’re also less likely to engage in dangerous driving behaviors to make up for the lost time.
Driver safety training is an effective means of reducing road rage. Fleets that provide monthly training have 25% fewer safety violations compared to the industry average and 50% fewer than fleets that only offer bi-annual training. Contact Interstate Motor Carriers to learn more ways to reduce your trucking company’s risk.