Road rage isn't just about aggressive driving with which you violate traffic laws. The act involves an awareness that you are putting pedestrians, other drivers, and passengers in danger—an act that can get you convicted of a criminal offense. In fact, some states, like California, not only have special laws relating to road rage but also consider road rage a felony assault with a deadly weapon.

If you want to avoid the insurance and other potential complications associated with road rage, it's important to know what kinds of behaviors constitute road rage, as well as the consequences you may face if you resort to road rage.

Road-Rage Behaviors

Road rage can take different forms but often occurs when a person is stressed, distracted, or in a hurry. It also frequently occurs when someone finds themselves in congested or delayed traffic or encounters another driver who is driving dangerously. Actions toward other drivers on the road that usually are seen as road rage include

• Flashing headlights

• Blasting a horn

• Deliberately cutting off another vehicle

• Running a red light to follow a driver who committed a traffic offense

• Aggressively tailgating a vehicle that is going too slow

• Chasing or intentionally running into another vehicle

• Making verbal threats or seeking a physical confrontation with another driver

Consequences of Road Rage

Since your driving history is a huge factor that insurers consider when setting your auto-insurance rate, road rage can affect it in multiple ways.

1. Reimbursement. If you are involved in an accident that your insurance company determines was caused by reckless behavior, including road rage, the insurer may limit the amount of the payout you receive. It may not be enough to cover the damage to your vehicle.

   In some cases, your insurer may not pay at all. Insurance companies don't pay in certain situations, and road rage as the cause of an accident may be one of them. You could find yourself paying for property damage and bodily injury to others out of your own pocket.

2. Higher insurance rate. Traffic violations, accidents, and a criminal offense on your driving record generally increase the premiums you pay, since an insurer would consider you a higher risk.

3. Policy cancellation. Although your insurance company many not cancel your auto insurance immediately following an accident, it may not renew your policy when the insurance premium comes due.

4. Criminal prosecution. In addition to problems with your insurance coverage, road rage can lead to a revoked or suspended driver's license, fines, and probation or imprisonment.

Avoidance Behaviors

Avoiding a road-rage incident can keep you and other drivers safe as well as keep your auto-insurance premiums in check. Talk to insurance companies like Holt Insurance Services to see what premium cuts they offer for avoidance behaviors. You can prevent becoming involved in an accident by

• Controlling your anger. Even if you feel that you are justified, teaching the other driver a lesson can cost you big in the end.

• Letting the police officers do their jobs. It's not up to you to mete out justice. If you encounter someone driving unsafely, report this to the police instead of taking matters into your own hands.

• Enrolling in a defensive driving class. The course will help you improve your driving skills and may get you a discount on your auto insurance.