Car accidents on the rise due to road rage, officials say

DELMARVA – The holiday weekend just passed and police departments across Delmarva are releasing their crime data, with an increase in accidents due to road rage reported.

“When people drive aggressively unfortunately that’s when accidents happen and that’s when crashes occur, and people get killed,” says Sergeant Jessica Shehan, the Public Information Officer with Virginia State Police.

A total of 1,585 arrests were made in the state of Virginia for reckless driving, as well as 852 driving citations in Queen Anne’s and Talbot Counties. So why are drivers becoming aggressive behind the wheel?

“When we are feeling threatened or stressed that we have what we call the fight or flight response so you actually have information that’s being processed in your brain that you’re in danger and you need to respond by fleeing the situation or removing yourself from the situation or fighting back,” says Nurse Practioner Marguerite Russo, with Behavioral Health Crisis Center.

Police say if you see road rage in the act, be sure not to engage.

“We would like to see is that people don’t engage in one another, so if you do see someone driving recklessly somewhere that you stay calm and you don’t tailgate or somebody else, you just stay calm,” says Sergeant Shehan.

And if you or someone you’re driving with is experiencing this rage, there are a few tips you should keep in mind.

“It’s important that we’re able to remain calm when we drive, that we’re able to get from point A to point B safely, that people are remembering to wear their seatbelts and to pay attention to the road in front of them, but most importantly just to stay calm with others around them,” says Sergeant Shehan.

Russo also says that feeling people experience is emotionally driven but the best way to navigate a poor situation on the road is to drive away calmly. If you do encounter a situation, call the police immediately at 911 or you can dial #77 in the state of Virginia. Health officials say the best thing you can do in these situations is be aware. And most importantly take care of yourself before putting yourself in a worse situation.

To view some of the mental health resources with the Behavioral Health Crisis Center click here.