Road Rage: Dangers, Causes and Prevention By Jon Duncan, Daniel Hutchinson, Christina Weaver and Violetta Zarchynska English

What is Road Rage? Although there are many symptoms of road rage or aggressive driving, the American Psychology Association has defined it as “Driving behaviors that endanger or potentially endanger others and are accompanied by intentional acts of aggression toward others, negative emotions while driving, and taking risks.”

What causes road rage? Researchers have not been able to determine a specific cause, but reports indicate there are a number of factors including increased traffic and congestion, a general decline in manners, courtesy and civility, an increased inability to deal with conflicts in other areas of our lives, and a sense of “territory” that leads us to feel as if we own the road.

Who is at risk? Although anyone can become aggressive while driving, people with anxiety, mood, or substance abuse problems tend to be more prone to these types of behaviors, as are those with “Type A” personalities.

Why is road rage a problem? Recent studies have shown that over 10,000 people are injured or killed in road rage incidents each year. Despite the efforts of local governments, law enforcement agencies and communities to increase road rage awareness, reports of road rage incidents have increased by roughly 7% each year since 1990.

According to the Experts: Larson, a psychiatrist at Yale University, addressed a subcommittee on aggressive driving and reported that “Often aggressive drivers will ‘deduce’ the motivation of the other driver from the make of his car.”

According to the Experts (cont.) He told the committee that “BMWs, pick-up trucks, sports cars or off- road vehicles may be given aggressive motivations. Thus aggressive drivers react to the ‘personality’ they associate with the make and model of the vehicle. Larson even indicted ‘Ford Tough’ and similar advertised slogans.”

Do guns cause road rage? A study conducted by researchers at Harvard University found that drivers who carry guns in their vehicle are more likely to exhibit road rage and aggressive behaviors than unarmed drivers. 23% of self-proclaimed road ragers carry guns in their car, compared to 16% of drivers without guns.

Or do crossbows cause road rage? A Little Rock Arkansas man was convicted of committing a terrorist act when he fired a crossbow at another car in an alleged road-rage incident. A similar incident occurred in Philadelphia in July Studies have yet to confirm a link between crossbows and aggressive driving

Common Triggers  84 % say other drivers talking on a cell phone causes the most anger.  Other main “triggers” are seeing other drivers who text, put on makeup, or shave while driving.

Steps to Avoid Aggressive Driving 1. Don’t offend  Make sure you have plenty of room when you merge, and use your signal to show the move.  Don’t drive slowly in the left lane. Even if you are driving at the speed limit, if someone wants to pass you let them go.  Don’t tailgate. Often drivers get angry when they are followed too closely; allow a two-second space between vehicles.

Steps to Avoid Aggressive Driving, cont. 2. Don’t engage  Refuse to become angry at the other driver.  Steer clear. Give angry and aggressive drivers plenty of space.  Avoid eye contact. Eye contact can turn into personal duel.  Get help. If another driver is acting very strange, call the police right away.

Steps to Avoid Aggressive Driving, cont. 3. Adjust your attitude  Forget winning. Driving is not a contest, so allow more time for your trip.  Put yourself in the other person’s shoes. Think for a minute why he/she is acting this way.  Ask for help if you need too. If you think you have problem, ask for help. Anger management classes can help.

Quiz: Do You Suffer from Road Rage?

1. I regularly speed in order to get to work or school on time. 2. I tailgate others, especially those in the left lane. 3. I verbally abuse drivers, whether they can hear me or not. 4. I frequently weave in and out of traffic to get ahead. 5. I have thoughts or daydreams of violence toward other drivers. 6. I feel the need to let other drivers know when they are driving poorly.

If you scored: 1 - 2: Slight Road Rage 3 - 4: Need Work on Issues 5 - 6: Raging Lunatic

Questions?