Northern Exposure: Is Road Rage Different By Region?

Unfortunately, the Southern hospitality that our region is known for does not extend to the road.  According to a study by AutoVantage , Atlanta was the only city to be in the top 5 cities for the highest incident of road rage in 2013 as well as 2014.  We earned the angry driver reputation by being most likely to hit another vehicle on purpose, as well as being home to the most speeders and tailgaters.

Motorists all over the nation are at risk to be the victim of a road rage incident.  The study did find that road rage was not specific to one region of the country, though links can be found to heavy congestion and long drives.  These occurrences are becoming more and more common and more and more dangerous. As smart drivers, it is imperative that we do not let an instance of being cut off by an over-zealous driver escalate to a life or death stand-off.

Quiet as it is kept the overwhelming majority of us have engaged in some level of this deadly culprit. Whether it be a glare, a toot on the horn or a menacing tail for a few seconds many of us have found ourselves on the offensive within a road rage engagement. Add the inclement weather variables for the northern part of the country and the elixir can be toxic.

The overall slower pace and courteous gestures that make the South noteworthy needs to transition to our road manners. The line is drawn here at the outset, and the road rage door cannot be opened. You never know what someone else has gone through in that day, and it is safer to chalk the encounter up to the great stroke of luck that no one was injured.

Knowing that you are fully insured is a load off that helps to keep all motor vehicle encounters in the proper light. So even if an accident occurs you are covered. Consulting with the knowledgeable staff at LG Insurance Group is a great step in the right direction. Serving Marietta GA as well as all of northern metro Atlanta with valuable insurance packages for Personal, Life, Home and Auto we have your peace of mind at our fingertips.

Drivers, Local Authorities Deal with Tough Winter’s Potholes

Trusted Choice® survey shows about 50% of U.S. car owners report vehicle pothole damage.    

Poor road conditions have cost consumers and the insurance industry at least $27 billion over a five year period, according to a 2014 survey commissioned by Trusted Choice® and the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”). The survey also reveals that from 2009 to 2014 half of car owners experienced damage to their vehicles as a result of potholes. As millions of Americans encounter potholes as the rough winter wraps, Trusted Choice® urges drivers to be cautious now and as repairs continue.

The snow, ice and freezing rain during the rough winter months left their mark on our roads in metro Atlanta and across the country.  Severe potholes have led to accidents which may impact insurance rates, as premiums are determined by past claims, accidents and driving violations. Potholes and poor road conditions aren’t just an inconvenience, they are an expensive and dangerous result of harsh winters.

The pothole survey also found that 31% of car owners who reported pothole damage to their vehicles filed a claim with their insurance company. A surprising 65% of respondents who needed repairs said they (or a third party) paid out of pocket for the vehicle to be fixed. Only about 3% said local authorities stepped in to foot the bill. For about 40% of respondents, that bill was more than $500.

This survey highlights how widespread the pothole problem is on our roadways and that the costs are enormous to both the insurance industry and to consumers.  And now, local authorities are struggling to keep up with the extensive road repairs.

While motorists in the Midwest, Northeast and North Central regions of the country reported the most pothole damage, surprisingly the numbers were not that different even in the Southern and Western regions which typically experience milder winters.

Trusted Choice® independent agents offer the following tips to motorists to help avoid costly damage from potholes and stay safe as they hit the roads after a tough winter:

Pothole safety tips:

  • Keep an eye on traffic patterns. A number of cars that slows down or move quickly to other lanes may be a sign of major potholes or road damage ahead.
  • Avoid the urge to swerve out of the way of a pothole at the last minute. You may swerve into the path of an oncoming vehicle. Risking damage to your car is wiser than risking the loss of your life or that of another person.
  • Report potholes to your state or local transportation department. Some states and localities have pothole hotlines. Motorists who think their state or local government will pay for damage to their cars may be out of luck. Laws in this area vary by jurisdiction and, even where such remedies are available, conditions may apply such as a requirement that the jurisdiction had notice of the pothole.
  • If you hit a pothole and suspect damage, pull over as soon as it is safe. If you notice damage, record details and specific damage—just as you would in the event of a collision with another motorist—in case you need to file an insurance claim.
  • Check in at least annually with your independent insurance agent to ensure that you have the right coverage.

The pothole survey was conducted for Trusted Choice® and the Big “I” by MFour Mobile Research, Inc. using MFour’s Surveys on the Go® Smartphone Application Panel which includes Apple and Android mobile device users. MFour is an independent research company headquartered in Costa Mesa, California. Interviews of a nationally representative sample of 2,565 U.S. car owners were conducted in June 2014 and weighted by age and gender to represent the general U.S. population over age 18. More information about MFour can be obtained at www.mfour.com.