Road rage cases skyrocket as the weather heats up [Video]

Summer heat isn’t just making drivers sweat. Studies have shown that people’s tempers flare in extreme heat, which can lead to aggressive driving and an increase in road rage.

Extreme heat has been associated with a range of mental health impacts including increases in irritability and symptoms of depression and with an increase in suicide, according to the American Psychiatric Association. It can also affect behavior, contributing to increased aggression, incidence of domestic violence, and increased use of alcohol or other substances to cope with stress.

Research has also linked high temperatures to problems with memory, attention and reaction time. It can reduce alertness and cognition and make you feel unmotivated and sluggish.

Add rising heat and tempers to the frustrations of driving, and it’s a recipe for disaster.

“You never know what’s going on with another driver,” AAA spokesperson Morgan Dean told WRIC. “You don’t know how far they’re …