According to the California Department of Motor Vehicles, as of December 2018, there were 8,028,826 vehicles registered in Los Angeles County alone. And, at times, it may seem as if each one of those vehicles is on the same road you are traveling.
At Binder & Associates, our Encino, California personal injury attorneys understand that long days met with congested traffic patterns and aggressive drivers at the end can cause great stress and anxiety during your commute. Unfortunately, they can also cause serious auto accidents, truck accidents, and motorcycle accidents that leave our residents with severe injuries that can change their lives forever.
What Is Aggressive Driving?
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration describes aggressive driving as a motorist engaging in any of the following activities — alone or combined — while behind the wheel.
Including:
- Frequent or unsafe lane changes
- Failing to signal
- Not yielding the right of way
- Tailgating
- Disregarding traffic signs and signals
- Speeding
- Cutting another driver off
- Using a handheld device while driving
Horn honking, rude gestures, and yelling at other motorists are all considered aggressive behavior and can lead to retaliation from the other driver, which is why it is important to steer clear from allowing dangerous emotions to ultimately jeopardize your safety by causing an accident.
Avoiding Aggressive Drivers Throughout Encino, California
The NHTSA reports that 66% of all traffic fatalities are caused by aggressive driving, with speed killing over 9,700 motorists last year alone, accounting for 26% of all traffic fatalities throughout the United States.
At Binder & Associates, our auto accident attorneys provide the experience and dedication to delivering results that you will need to recovery from a vehicle collision in Encino, California when negligence results in injury.
However, we would much rather help keep our community safe from aggressive drivers by offering the following tips:
- Avoid cutting other drivers off by ensuring there is enough room to merge before proceeding
- Provide other drivers with the opportunity to merge by slowing down and giving them room
- Do not block traffic by remaining in the left lane when others are trying to pass
- Do not follow the driver in front of you too closely by tailgating
- Avoid making rude gestures towards other drivers, and use appropriate and appreciative gestures when another driver allows you to merge/go ahead
- Do not engage angry or aggressive motorists for any reason by avoiding eye contact or responding
In a perfect world, we would all be able to allow more time for travel and apply a Zen-like approach when going from point A to point B. In reality, sometimes we run late. Other times, traffic can cause severe frustration that is not easy to contend with.
Listening to soothing music or books on tape while you drive, or practicing relaxation techniques, like taking deep breaths may help keep frustration from taking over.
If you have been involved in a vehicle accident that was caused by a negligent driver, contact our Encino, California personal injury attorneys at Binder & Associates today by calling (818) 659-8588 to schedule a free consultation with one of our accomplished lawyers and learn more about how we can pursue the financial recovery you deserve.
