When you drive in California, the chances of you encountering an aggressive driver are higher than they would be if you lived in most other states. Research shows that California is one of the worst states in the nation for road rage, and that road rage and aggressive driving have a hand in a substantial percentage of California’s fatal and nonfatal car wrecks.
According to Bankrate, aggressive driving is a factor in more than half, or 54%, of all American car crashes. Meanwhile, road rage, which is a more severe form of aggressive driving, plays a role in half of all fatal car wrecks across the nation.
Where California ranks
California now ranks third in the United States in terms of the number of road rage incidents it sees each year that involve guns. Between 2014 and 2016, there were 82 such incidents within California state lines. Los Angeles, in particular, is a hotbed for aggressive driving and road rage and is among the worst cities in the nation for these driving behaviors.
What aggressive drivers are doing
Aggressive driving and road rage manifest in many different ways. Sometimes, road rage occurs when another driver shouts or makes obscene gestures at a different motorist. If another driver cuts you off or refuses to let you merge or change lanes, these actions may also constitute aggressive driving or road rage. Tailgating and running red lights may also fall under the road rage umbrella.
When a driver exhibits road rage and causes a crash as a result, you may have grounds to hold him or her accountable if you suffered an injury in the wreck.