Maryland Road Rage

When a woman somehow angered another motorist on I-895 in Baltimore, he got out of his vehicle and smashed in the back window of the woman’s car. When she exited her car and tried to photograph him, he attempted to grab the phone and pushed her to the ground. It’s another serious incident of road rage that causes concern for motorists and highway patrol alike.

What Constitutes Road Rage? 

Road rage reveals itself with everything from speeding recklessly to aggressively honking one’s horn, flashing crude gestures, yelling, tailgating, cutting other drivers off, and blocking other drivers. In the worst-case scenarios, drivers have been known to ram into other vehicles, force cars off the road, and even shoot at other motorists. 

Rising Incidents 

Unfortunately, incidents of road rage seem to occur regularly. These events can be terrifying and dangerous. Some examples of irrational outbursts on Maryland roadways include:

1. When a Glen Burnie driver pulled over to allow a fire engine with lights flashing to pass, a motorist who was infuriated because the initial driver pulled over in front of him rather than behind him exited his vehicle and started screaming at the driver. Enraged, he then returned to his vehicle and rammed the initial driver twice. The victim immediately started driving to a police station, followed by the assailant, who turned away when he realized where they were headed.
2. A man pointed a firearm at a driver who’d angered him while driving in Howard County and was arrested shortly thereafter.
3. A family that was traveling on I-695 aggravated another driver by slowing for merging traffic. The angry driver got out of his can and pointed a gun at them, then followed them to a parking lot, where police found and arrested him.

A Serious Problem 

More drivers seem to be getting evermore irritated on roadways across the country, leading to more and more road rage incidents. Studies show that an injury or death occurs every 18 hours somewhere in the United States as a result of lost tempers.

Responding to Road Rage 

When aggressive drivers cross your path, the last thing you want to do is further provoke them. Suggestions include:

1. Trying not to make eye contact;
2. Permitting them to pass as soon as you can safely do so;
3. Calling 911 and reporting the incident along with the license plate number if you can get it;
4. Do not drive to your home; instead head to a police station, or, if there isn’t one nearby, go to a crowded public place.

The Aftermath 

If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a road rage incident, nothing can erase the physical and emotional suffering you’ve had to endure. But the dedicated Baltimore personal injury attorneys at The Law Office of Hasson D. Barnes can fight to collect maximum damages to address your financial losses, as well as exigent costs related to the incident. To discuss your situation, schedule a confidential consultation in our Baltimore office today.

Source:

cbsnews.com/baltimore/news/road-rager-smashed-window-assaulted-woman-ahead-of-baltimore-harbor-tunnel-officials-say/