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Road rage still a problem in Houston area

On Behalf of | Jul 20, 2012 | Car Accidents |

This blog has written repeatedly about accidents caused by someone’s negligent driving, but road rage has never been discussed. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, however, road rage has led to more than 900 car accidents in the Houston metropolitan area over the last five years.

Remember that no matter how enraging someone else’s driving is, it’s never acceptable to retaliate in a way that puts others’ safety at risk. It’s not just you and the other driver on the road. There are thousands of other cars on the road that could become caught up in an accident caused by road rage. If someone else’s driving is making you angry, it’s best to call the police.

  – Article By Richard Weaver

Fortunately, the accident numbers have decreased from year to year. A Houston Police Department spokesman said new measures taken, such as using unmarked cars to spot aggressive drivers, have helped. But police still report receiving numerous 911 calls daily about road rage.

But filing criminal charges against people who commit road rage can still prove difficult. In one Houston road rage incident, two women pulled into a parking lot after one cut off the other in traffic. A fight ensued, and one woman shot and killed the other. Claiming that she acted in self defense, the woman has so far avoided criminal charges.

In another case, a man was shot at because he honked at another car that cut him off. When he was shot, his car hit an SUV and then crashed into an apartment building. The aggressor is facing a murder charge, and he could be sued for wrongful death as well.

When someone’s driving makes you angry, think about the damage you could cause and be held liable for by retaliating. Ask yourself if it is really worth it.

Source: Houston Chronicle, “Hundreds of accidents blamed on Houston road rage,” Yang Wang & John Tedesco, July 20, 2012

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