Road Rage in Road Island

Drivers violate the Rhode Island Aggressive Drivers Law when they speed, tailgate, ignore traffic controls, and drive recklessly. If provoked, they may make nasty faces and hand gestures, yell, honk, and even threaten other drivers physically with their cars.

What should you do if you encounter road rage?

• Prepare. Always wear seat belts, since aggressive drivers may test your driving skills.
• Avoid bad drivers at all costs. Slow down. Let them pass.
• Never stare or make faces.
• Never speed up or brake sharply.
• Disregard gestures.
• Try to remember a license plate number and car description, and report the incident to the police. If you have a cell phone, call authorities immediately.

Taunting behavior

A motorist passed another vehicle and then repeatedly slammed on his brakes to taunt its driver. The following driver lost control, crashed, and suffered traumatic brain injury. When the plaintiff's attorney demonstrated that the defendant drove negligently because of road rage, a jury found the defendant responsible. The parties reached a monetary settlement after the verdict.