Nearly 8 of every 10 U.S. drivers admit expressing anger, aggression or road rage at least once in the previous year, according to a survey released Thursday by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.
AAA said 56 percent of deadly crashes involve a form of aggressive driving, which could include following too closely, yelling at another driver, cutting them off or making angry gestures.
Study: Most drivers admit angry, aggressive behavior or road rage
The study hits close to home for Amy Flemming. Her story should make everyone think twice about being angry behind the wheel.
Amy held on when an angered pickup driver tried to run her and her husband off the road in Genoa Township. Derek Flemming, 43, was shot and killed by the driver of a pickup truck at the intersection of Grand River Avenue and Chilson Road.
Read back: Road rage shooting victim's wife: 'My heart was pounding'
Derek had gotten out of his vehicle and approached Martin Zale, the pickup driver. Zale shot Derek Felmming in the face. He was sentenced to 27-50 years in prison last summer.
Amy is now a widow with two heartbroken kids.
"I have a tremendous amount of PTSD from what I went through and anytime I am in a situation where people are angry or I feel like it's a a situation where people could become angry I have panic attacks," she said.
Men ages 19-35 are the most aggressive drivers on the road, according to the AAA study. Tailgating and gesturing can lead to deadly crashes, which have been increasing in recent years.
Amy Flemming's life was shattered just because of one incident of road rage.
"Not everybody understands that it's not just a loss of your life partner or your confidant, it is a loss of your house, your income, your way of life, your social status. It is really quite eye-opening and life-changing," she said.
If you would like to help Amy and her kids, go to this GoFundMe.
Self-reported Frequency of Aggressive Driving Behaviors | Graphiq