Summary

With road rage on the rise, Oklahoma attorney Tim Gilpin breaks down the dangers and costs of aggressive driving, offers five essential habits to help prevent road rage, and covers how to protect yourself and your passengers if you are targeted by another driver.

We’ve all been there. It’s a quarter to five and you’re stuck in highway traffic when someone cuts across three lanes to jump the line, coming within inches of your car when they do. Your adrenaline spikes as you lay on the horn, quickly contemplating your next move. Do you speed up and try to cut the other driver off to teach them a lesson? Try to get next to them and give them a piece of your mind? Or do you just crank up your Bruno Mars playlist and move past it?

While it can be all too easy to let our instincts take over when aggressive drivers cross our paths, a split-second decision to either react or move on can mean the difference between a moment of frustration and a dangerous or even life-changing road rage incident. 

Of all the dangers Oklahoma drivers experience on our roads, road rage is one of the most preventable. One of the keys to preventing it starts with understanding that just about every driver on the road is potentially susceptible to losing their cool. Follow this guide from personal injury attorney Tim Gilpin to protect yourself and everyone else on the road from road rage and aggressive driving. 

The Consequences of Road Rage

According to a 2025 study from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety (FTS), not only is road rage on the rise, but most drivers are susceptible to engaging in either road rage or aggressive driving. The study found that 96 percent of drivers had either engaged in road rage or aggressive driving within the year prior to reporting — up 18 percent from 2014. Even more concerning, the study found that 11 percent of drivers had engaged in violent behaviors while on the road. 

That means more drivers than ever are giving in to the impulse to engage in aggressive or violent road rage. Even if you’re not the person who started it, engaging in these behaviors can lead to devastating consequences, including fines, higher insurance premiums, civil liability, criminal charges, or even life-threatening injuries. 

Causes of Road Rage

The key to avoiding road rage begins with understanding how it begins. Road rage often starts with a single act of aggressive behavior from one driver that leads to an escalation. 

Aggressive behavior may include:

• Driving over the speed limit
• Weaving in and out of traffic
• Passing on the right
• Honking one’s horn repeatedly
• Tailgating other vehicles
• Riding or tapping brakes to “teach” another driver a lesson
• Driving slowly or preventing a vehicle from passing
• Making it difficult to let other drivers change lanes
• Cutting other vehicles off
• Yelling or insulting another vehicle’s occupants
• Using offensive gestures
• Driving recklessly

Most of the time, the causes of aggressive driving and road rage begin with what’s going on in our lives outside the vehicle. Many drivers who self-reported these behaviors experienced a range of emotions including frustration, anger, fear, anxiety, and even pleasure associated with aggressive driving. While most considered themselves ordinarily capable of coping with these emotions, some found themselves “triggered” by other drivers on the road. 

Other factors contributing to aggressive behavior and road rage may include:

• A need to get someplace fast
• A desire to retaliate or punish another driver for bad driving
• A desire to teach other drivers a lesson
• A need for situational control 
• The perception of a threat
• Local driving culture
• Age and gender

The takeaway? Road rage is always a risk when you’re out on the road, and engaging in aggressive behavior — no matter the reason — can only serve to make things worse. 

Cooling Your Commute

Preventing or deescalating potential road rage incidents begins with planning for a safe, calm drive every time. 

Follow these steps to manage your mindset behind the wheel:

1. Don’t drive when you’re emotional

We all know it’s sometimes hard to avoid driving when life has been life-ing and you’re not in a zen frame of mind. But depending on the circumstances, driving while emotionally compromised can be every bit as dangerous as driving under the influence of a substance or driving while you’re fatigued. 

If you can, trade places with someone in a calmer state of mind and let them take the wheel for a while. If you can’t avoid getting behind the wheel while you’re experiencing intense emotions, take a moment to engage in some deep breathing exercises and try to bring down the temperature first. Or try distracting yourself with some soothing music or thinking of something else. 

2. Turn your car into a sanctuary

When you’re feeling strong emotions, listening to intense music or a distressing news story can be like adding fuel to the fire. Turn on your favorite classical music playlist or a relaxing podcast or audiobook, and you’re instantly transported to a calmer head space. 

3. Factor in buffer time

The best way to eliminate the stress that comes from running late is to give yourself plenty of time to account for traffic jams, red lights, and other travel time saboteurs. Even if GPS predicts a 20-minute travel time, you never know when a car wreck could slow highway traffic. For best results, factor in a little buffer time for these unexpected scenarios so you don’t end up frustrated and anxious about arriving at your destination on time. 

4. Give other drivers some grace

It’s all too easy to assume the worst of other drivers when you’re caught up in the chaos of city traffic. But not all bad driving comes down to selfish or incompetent drivers — sometimes, people just make mistakes. 

Instead of jumping to conclusions and assuming the worst of other drivers, focus your energy on the mental defensive driving technique of assuming the best rather than the worst of your fellow drivers. Maybe they’ve got a baby crying in the back seat, or perhaps they’re a younger driver with a learner’s permit. You never know what other drivers could be going through, and giving them a little break can go a long way in deescalating your own feelings when you encounter problematic driving. 

5. Don’t engage with aggressive drivers

If you find your vehicle the target of aggressive driving or road rage, respond defensively rather than engaging. Whether another driver is screaming out their window at you, tailgating, or driving erratically, do your best to move away from them and avoid drawing even more attention to yourself. 

Avoid making eye contact, checking your brakes, or doing anything else that could potentially escalate the situation. Do your best to make your vehicle invisible and let them move on down the road. 

Dealing With Road Rage

Even if you’re driving defensively and keeping it friendly on the road, there’s always a chance you could draw the ire of another driver in a dangerous state of mind. And the unfortunate truth is that you can never tell if they might have a weapon in their console or be under the influence of a substance, potentially making a risky situation even more unsafe. 

If you find yourself the target of another driver’s road rage:

1. Do not pull over.

2. Drive to a crowded public place or local police station. 

3. Call 911 and ask for help. 

Call Oklahoma Car Accident Attorney Tim Gilpin

The key to preventing road rage starts with remaining calm and driving defensively. And no matter where you’re headed, it’s always better to show up late than to end up involved in a road rage incident. Remember: No bad driver is worth risking your safety, freedom, or life. 

Have you or someone you love been injured in a car accident caused by an aggressive driver or road rage? Oklahoma auto accident lawyer Tim Gilpin can help. Whether you were recently injured in a road rage accident or you’ve already spoken with an insurance adjuster, contact Tim at Gilpin Law Office to connect with a motor vehicle accident attorney today. Call 918-583-8900 or complete an online form to get your free consultation.