ROAD RAGE AGGRESSIVE DRIVING ON THE ROAD

AGGRESSIVE DRIVING zMore drivers have started acting out their anger when they get behind the wheel. yCut off yTailgated ySlowed down by a vehicle in front of them. zAngry drivers can commit incredible acts of violence. yAssault and murder

AGGRESSIVE DRIVING STATISTICS zAAA Foundation of Traffic Safety studied: yMore than 10,000 incidents of violent aggressive driving committed between 1990 and xIt found that at least 218 people were killed. xAnother 12,610 angry drivers got injured.

What is ROAD RAGE? zNo national definition for the term “road rage” yIt is commonly defined as a societal condition where motorist lose their temper in reaction to a traffic disturbance. yIn most cases, the traffic situations encountered are typical of today's normal driving conditions in higher traffic volumes.

Aggressive Driving z“Aggressive driving” refers to an angry motorist attempting to intentionally injury or kill another driver because of a traffic dispute. yAggressive drivers react negatively and use their vehicles to retaliate by making sudden, threatening maneuvers. “Road Rage” yThis makes “Road Rage” a serious issue of traffic safety for yourself and others.

What Causes Aggressive Driving Behaviors? zAggressive driving behaviors are triggered by a variety of stimuli. yProvoked by the actions of another driver. ySet off by road congestion. yMost are caused by the drivers’ own moods and reactions when they get behind the wheel.

Stated Reasons for Violent Traffic Disputes zArguments over parking spaces. zCutting another motorist off or refusing to allow passing. zMinor traffic crashes. zObscene gestures. zSlow driving. zLoud music. z Overuse of the horn. z Failure to use turn signals.

Violent Traffic Disputes zViolent traffic disputes are rarely the results of a single incident, but rather are the cumulative result of a series of stressors. “the last straw” zTraffic incident that turns violent is often “the last straw”

Aggressive Driver Profile zPersons who exhibit aggressive behaviors cross all ages, race, socioeconomic and gender lines. zEven people who are usually “mild-mannered” can blow their top behind the wheel. zPeople who are characteristically cynics, rude, angry or aggressive are pone to get angry more often. yThose people are “raging” at home, at work, and on the road.

Aggressive Driver Profile zMajority of perpetrators: yMales between the ages of 18 and 26. yHundreds of reported cases were 26 to 50 years old. yIn 86 cases the driver was between 50 and 75 years old.

Aggressive Driver Profile zNo one profile for aggressive drivers. yMost are relatively young, poorly educated males with criminal records, histories of violence, and drug or alcohol problems. yMany have recently suffered an emotional or professional setback. yHundreds of others are educated men and women with no such histories.

Aggressive Driver Profile zWhile most of the drivers are male: yApproximately 4% were female. yWomen used their vehicle as a weapon in 285 cases. yIn 31 known cases, women attacked police officers, usually while the officer was attempting to issue a traffic citation.

Common Motorist Irritants zTailgating to pressure a driver to go faster or get out of the way. zFlashing lights in order to signal drivers to move to another lane. zObscene gesturing. zChanging lanes without signaling. zBlasting the horn.

Common Motorist Irritants zFrequently changing lanes by weaving back and forth. zRacing to beat a yellow light that’s about to turn red. zTraveling in the passing or left lane at a slower speed, making it impossible of others to pass. zDriving with high beams on behind another vehicle or toward on coming traffic.

Common Motorist Irritants zCutting drivers off. zSlowing down after passing someone. zNot making a right turn in the right-hand turn lane. zNot reacting quickly after the light turns green.

How Can Motorist Protect Themselves? zNEVER UNDERESTIMATE the other driver’s CAPACITY for MAYHAM. zBE PATIENT KEEP your COOL zBE PATIENT and KEEP your COOL in traffic.

Practice Basic Traffic Courtesy zDo not make obscene gestures zUse your horn sparingly zDon’t block passing lane zDon’t switch lanes without signaling zAvoid blocking the right- hand turn lane zDo not take more than one parking space z If you are not disabled, don’t park in a disabled space z Do not allow your door to hit the car parked next to you z Do not tailgate z If you travel slowly, pull over & allow traffic to pass

Practice Basic Traffic Courtesy zAvoid unnecessary use of high beams headlights zDon’t let the car (cellular) phone distract you zDon’t stop in the road to talk with a pedestrian or other driver zDon’t inflict loud music on neighboring cars

Other Useful Attitudes zAssume other driver’s mistakes are not personal zBe polite and courteous, even if the other driver isn’t zAvoid all conflict if possible. If another driver challenges you, take a deep breath and get out of the way

Reduce Your Stress zAllow plenty of time for the trip. zListen to smoothing music. zImprove the comfort in your vehicle. zUnderstand that you can’t control the traffic, only your reaction to it.

Enraged Road Warriors enraged road warriors zMany otherwise peaceful motorist become enraged road warriors when they get behind the wheel. If you’re one of them, be advised that: ya) cars are not bullet proof; yb) a truly aggressive driver will follow you home; and yc) you’ve got to get out of the car eventually.

FINALLY zIf you are tempted to participate in a driving duel, ask yourself: yIs it worth being paralyzed or killed? yIs it worth a jail sentence? An impulsive action could ruin the rest of your life.