Road rage is a very dangerous threat to drivers on the roadways today. According to a recent study by AAA, incidents of aggressive driving have increased by 51% since 1990. In some areas of the country, aggressive drivers are perceived as a bigger safety threat than are impaired drivers. We see examples of aggressive driving every day— road racers, distracted people on their cell phones, tailgaters, frequent lane changers, and red light runners. Agressive driving may include these behaviors:
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Whipping in and out of lanes
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Failing to signal when turning or switching lanes
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Tailgating
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Failing to yield the right of way
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Disregarding traffic controls or signs
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Driving while intoxicated or impaired
Part of the problem may be the roads themselves. The roads today are more crowded than ever. The number of vehicle miles driven each year has gone up 35% in the past 10 years, and there are many more vehicles on the roads. Also, people are busier, and time—and road congestion—causes frustration when they are delayed. Furthermore, Americans today favor larger vehicles such as 4-wheel drive trucks and SUVs, which have larger, more fuel-efficient engines and are capable of traveling comfortably at speeds far in excess of many highway speed limits.
Take a minute to test yourself. See if you have developed aggressive habits that could threaten your safety, the safety of your passengers, and the safety of others on the road.
Yes or no, do you...
___ Overtake other vehicles only on the left?
___ Yield to faster traffic by moving to the right?
___ Keep to the right as much as possible on narrow streets and at intersections?
___ Maintain appropriate distance when following other motorists, bicyclists, motorcyclists, etc.?
___ Provide appropriate distance when cutting in after passing vehicles?
___ Use headlights in cloudy, rainy, and other low light conditions?
___ Yield to pedestrians?
___ Stay in your lane?
___ Come to a complete stop at stop signs; before right turns on red?
___ Stop for red traffic lights?___ Approach intersections and pedestrians at slow speeds to show your ability to stop?
___ Follow right-of-way rules at fourway stops? (Those to your right have the first right-of-way.)
___ Obey posted speed limits at all times—and slow down in inclement weather?
___ Drive at slower speeds in construction zones?
___ Maintain speeds appropriate for road conditions?
___ Use vehicle turn signals for all turns and lane changes?
___ Make eye contact and signal intentions where needed?
___ Acknowledge intentions of others?
___ Use your horn sparingly around pedestrians, at night, around hospitals?
___ Avoid unnecessary use of high beam headlights?
___ Yield, move to the right, and stop for emergency vehicles?
___ Come to a complete stop for school buses when they are loading/unloading children?
___ Refrain from flashing headlights to signal a desire to pass?
___ Drive trucks at posted speeds, in the proper lanes, using nonaggressive lane changing?
___ Make slow, deliberate U-turns where allowed?
___ Resist “rubbernecking” around roadway crashes?
___ Avoid returning inappropriate gestures?
___ Avoid challenging other drivers?
___ Try to get out of the way of aggressive drivers?
___ Refrain from momentarily using HOV lanes to pass vehicles?
___ Focus on driving and avoid distracting activities such as smoking, using a cell phone, reading, or talking to your passenger(s)?
___ Avoid driving when drowsy?
___ Avoid blocking the right turn lane whenever possible?
___ Avoid taking more than one parking space?
___ Avoid parking in a disabled space if you are not disabled?
___ Avoid letting your door hit the car parked next to you?
___ Avoid stopping in the road to talk with a pedestrian or other driver?
___ Avoid subjecting other drivers to your loud music?
Score yourself:
# of “no” answers How you rate
1 - 3 Excellent
4 - 7 Good
8 - 11 Fair
12+ Poor
*Adapted from a survey developed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
