Slater and Gordon is urging people to break the drive this summer

Roy Morgan research commissioned by Slater and Gordon says 42 per cent of road users have noticed an increase in road rage post the pandemic. Slater and Gordon Head of Work and Road Claims Victoria, Craig Lynch lets drivers know how to stay calm, break the drive and what to do if there’s an accident.

Slater and Gordon is urging drivers to take extra care this festive season, as a recent study from Roy Morgan, commissioned by Slater and Gordon Lawyers, show that a significant percentage of drivers (42.1%) have noticed an increase in road rage since the end of pandemic restrictions.

Summer is a time for winding down spending time with family and friends, but during this time we often see an increase in road trauma in Australia . ^†

These stats are concerning, and it’s important to remember it only takes a split second for your whole life to change on the road.

Being alert is important but so is being patient and being in control of your emotions.

Being alert is important but so is being patient and being in control of your emotions.

^†Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics Australian Road Deaths Database 2022

Remember to BREAK THE DRIVE

Having a plan to stay calm on the roads, to keep yourself and others safe, can go a long way. Far too often people are severely injured because someone has lost their cool behind the wheel, and then lost control of their car. If you feel yourself losing your control of your emotions BREAK THE DRIVE.

Find a safe place to pull over and collect yourself before getting back on the road.

If you are in a car accident the first thing you should do is to make sure everyone is OK and to call 000 if emergency assistance is required. If you can, collect the other parties’ details and seek professional legal advice on the best steps for you to take next.

Learn more about what to do next in a motor vehicle accident

With just over 48% (48.3%) of female respondents and 35.5% of male respondent reported noticing an increase in road rage, the data is alarming. Having patience and a plan to stay calm on the road could be lifesaving.

Make sure you plan ahead. Things will be busy, so leave with plenty of time to get where you need to go. Ensure that you are having regular breaks, stay off your phone and stick to the speed limit.

We want everyone to be safe on the roads this summer.