Posted on Wednesday, May 24th, 2017 at 8:09 pm
According to KSL News, a Sacramento man faces numerous charges in relation to an alleged road rage incident earlier this month in Utah. The Sacramento man is charged with several felonies including possession of a firearm by a restricted person, illegal discharge of a firearm, and aggravated assault. The charges stem from an incident of road rage earlier during the day.
A couple from Colorado reported that a man in a truck they passed about 10 miles back raced up behind them and rammed their vehicle. The drive then pointed a gun at them and shot at them. The couple stopped at a gas station and ran inside. When law enforcement officer stopped the suspect, he claimed he fired the gun because he thought the couple was shooting at him. A witness told officers he saw the man shoot at the couple.
After being taken into custody, the suspect tried to stab a lab technician at the hospital who was trying to take blood. He then tried to stab a law enforcement officer before being subdued.
Road Rage is a Serious Problem in the United States
The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety released a study last year suggesting that at least eight million drivers in the United States engaged in some type of road rage. According to respondents, they engaged in angry and aggressive behaviors while driving including:
- Tailgating
- Yelling at other drivers
- Using the horn to show annoyance or anger
- Using angry gestures
- Blocking another vehicle to prevent the driver from changing lanes
- Cutting off other drivers
- Getting out of their vehicles to confront other drivers
- Purposefully ramming or bumping another vehicle
Most incidents of road rage are not physically violent, and they are contained to the inside of the person’s vehicle. However, some incidents of road rage cause traffic accidents. Even if a driver does not ram another vehicle or try to run another vehicle off the road, tailgating, speeding, and other forms of aggressive driving can result in a terrible accident. When this occurs, the driver who caused the accident can be held liable for the damages sustained in the accident.
How Can You Avoid Road Rage?
You cannot control the actions of other drivers; however, you can take steps to reduce your stress while driving. You can also take steps to reduce the risk of a road rage accident by how you respond to aggressive drivers.
- Do not respond to aggressive drivers. Avoid eye contact and do not make gestures back at the driver.
- Avoid aggressive driving such as speeding, tailgating, and weaving in and out of traffic.
- Leave early. Giving yourself additional time to arrive at your designation reduces the urge to drive aggressively.
- Avoid congested areas during rush hour, if possible. If you must take these routes, take deep breaths, listen to calming music, and accept the fact you will move when traffic clears.
For more information, download a copy of the AAA’s Road Rage brochure.
Call a Sacramento Road Rage Accident Attorney
If you suspect a driver caused an accident because of a road rage incident, call our office to speak with an experienced Sacramento car accident attorney. Contact Tiemann Law Firm can be reached by telephone at (916) 999-9000.
