Aggressive Driving Part 1 of 2

Aggressive Driving Part 1 of 2

I’m sure you’ve experienced it, or (opps!) unfortunately you’re most likely guilty of the behavior at some point in your driving experience. According to AAA, aggressive driving is extremely common among U.S. drivers. And “according to AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety’s 2019 data, nearly 80 percent of drivers expressed significant anger, aggression or road rage behind the wheel at least once in the previous 30 days.”
Many drivers have increasingly become very concerned about aggressive driving. You may not even realize you have participated in aggressive driving behavior. So first you need to know what it is to recognize it. Some drivers may view this as normal driving, because they’ve never taken any drivers courses. Next, lets’ explore more about aggressive driving risks and tips to stop and avoid aggressive driving behaviors here.

Exactly What is Aggressive Driving?

“Any unsafe driving behavior, performed deliberately and with ill intention or disregard for safety, can constitute aggressive driving.” Examples of aggressive driving behaviors include:  

• Running red lights
• Changing lanes without signaling
• Tailgating
• Weaving in and out of traffic
• Cutting in front of another driver, then slowing down
• Speeding in heavy traffic
• Blocking cars attempting to pass or change lanes
• Using your bright headlights to “punish” other drivers
• Flashing your lights to “punish” other drivers
• Using your brakes to “punish” other drivers

Any of these look or sound familiar? If so, is improvement in your future?

Then What is Road Rage?

Road rage is defined as Extreme cases of aggressive driving that can escalate into road rage. Aggressive driving played a role in 56 percent of fatal crashes over a five-year period, according to one analysis. Examples of road rage include:

• Cursing and rude or obscene gestures
• Excessive honking
• Throwing objects

• Getting out of the vehicle to confront another driver
• Forcing a driver off the road
• Sideswiping
• Bumping or ramming another vehicle on purpose

Hopefully, you’ve not done any of these, either.

How Commonly do U.S. Drivers Exhibit Aggressive Driving Behaviors?

“According to estimates by the AAA Foundation’s Annual Traffic Safety Culture Index, millions of drivers engaged in the following angry and aggressive behaviors in the 30 days before the survey, including”:

• Aggressive driving by switching lanes quickly/or very close behind another car:  26 percent (57 million drivers)
• Made rude gestures or honked at other drivers: 32 percent (71 million drivers)
• Driven 15 mph over the speed limit on a freeway: 48 percent (106 million drivers)
• Driven through a red light: 31 percent (68 million drivers)
• Passed in front of a vehicle at less than a car length: 22 percent (49 million drivers)
• Speeded up when another vehicle tried to overtake you: 25 percent (55 million drivers)
• Followed vehicle in front of you closely to prevent another vehicle from merging in front of you: 34 percent (75 million drivers)
• Merged into traffic even when another driver tries to close the gap between vehicles: 28 percent (62 million drivers)

What you can do about it in Part 2