Road rage may seem like a big city problem, but Overton County Sheriff John Garrett said at least one road rage incident occurs daily in the Upper Cumberland area.
Garrett said it varies from drivers riding bumpers, cutting each other off and throwing indecent hand gestures. Garrett said that can escalate to violence.
“The best thing to do if you’re on the roadway and another motorist out there does something that would upset you or you would feel to be dangerous, don’t confront them,” Garrett said “Contact law enforcement and let them know someone’s driving recklessly or erratically and let law enforcement handle that. Don’t try to take matters into your own hands.”
Garrett said drivers who struggle with road rage typically are triggered by sudden and unpredictable events that could interrupt their busy schedule or carefully-timed daily routine.
“Let’s face it, driving, just driving normally, can be dangerous enough,” Garrett said. “But when someone does something out of the way it tends to infuriate other drivers and depending on how one conducts themselves or how they control their temper or their road rage as we like to say will depend on the outcome.”
Garrett said victims of road rage drivers should try to stay away from the vehicle. Garrett said pull into a well lit and populated area. Garrett said, if possible, seek safe areas to stop, such as police stations or sheriff offices.
“A lot of times, we as drivers feel we are the only ones on the roadway that know how to operate a motor vehicle properly,” Garrett said. “And when someone else is operating a motor vehicle that is slowing us down from our busy schedule or they cut us off inadvertently whether they are there are just a lot of little factors that goes through with upsetting other drivers.”
The Journal of Consumer Research reports 92 percent of Americans witnessed road rage in the last year. 89 percent reported being a victim. Tailgating and switching lanes quickly were the most common issues reported.
“If at least one party will separate themselves from that then the other person will let it go at some point,” Garrett said. “But in some cases they won’t.”
Garrett said Overton County has not had a shooting related to road rage. A Cookeville restaurant was the target of a road rage related shooting last February. Garrett said he keeps a close eye on the Upper Cumberland and Tennessee news.
“I can’t imagine anything out there that would be worth that,” Garrett said. “That’s just, it’s too much. That’s way overboard and out of balance. No reason for it.”
