Press release
Source: AAA (Michigan, USA)
DEARBORN, Mich. -- Aggressive driving kills, says AAA Michigan. More than half of fatal car crashes involve some form of aggressive driving--speeding, running another driver off the road, tailgating or yelling obscenities.
A 2008 survey by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that 80 percent of respondents consider aggressive drivers to be a serious traffic safety problem. However, many of those same people said they drive aggressively. Relatively minor driving infractions--changing lanes without signaling, following too closely, driving too slowly, honking at other drivers--can easily escalate into potentially deadly altercations. Not every incident turns violent, but 60 percent of motorists admit losing their temper while driving--also known as road rage.
AAA recommendations to avoid aggressive driving:
Don't offend
- Signal when changing lanes and merging. Avoid cutting off other drivers.
- Do not drive slowly in the left lane. If faster traffic wants to pass, move to the right lane.
- Allow a two to four second space between your car and the vehicle ahead of you to prevent tailgating.
- Keep your hands on the wheel. Obscene gestures often incite other drivers.
Don't engage
- Do not take other driver's actions personally. There may be a reason why another driver is speeding or driving erratically.
- Give aggressive drivers lots of space.
- Avoid eye contact with aggressive drivers.
- Get help. If possible, drive to a safe public place where you can park and call police. Going to your home leads a potentially violent person to where you and your loved ones live.
- Do not get out of your car.
Adjust your behavior
- Forget winning; driving is not a contest.
- Give yourself plenty of time to get where you're going. Eliminate your need to rush.
- Practice relaxation. Soothing music and deep breathing help you arrive at your destination in a calmer frame of mind.
- If you find yourself driving angrily on a regular basis, ask for help. An anger management course may dramatically change your attitude.
Source: AAA (Michigan, USA)
DEARBORN, Mich. -- Aggressive driving kills, says AAA Michigan. More than half of fatal car crashes involve some form of aggressive driving--speeding, running another driver off the road, tailgating or yelling obscenities.
A 2008 survey by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that 80 percent of respondents consider aggressive drivers to be a serious traffic safety problem. However, many of those same people said they drive aggressively. Relatively minor driving infractions--changing lanes without signaling, following too closely, driving too slowly, honking at other drivers--can easily escalate into potentially deadly altercations. Not every incident turns violent, but 60 percent of motorists admit losing their temper while driving--also known as road rage.
AAA recommendations to avoid aggressive driving:
Don't offend
- Signal when changing lanes and merging. Avoid cutting off other drivers.
- Do not drive slowly in the left lane. If faster traffic wants to pass, move to the right lane.
- Allow a two to four second space between your car and the vehicle ahead of you to prevent tailgating.
- Keep your hands on the wheel. Obscene gestures often incite other drivers.
Don't engage
- Do not take other driver's actions personally. There may be a reason why another driver is speeding or driving erratically.
- Give aggressive drivers lots of space.
- Avoid eye contact with aggressive drivers.
- Get help. If possible, drive to a safe public place where you can park and call police. Going to your home leads a potentially violent person to where you and your loved ones live.
- Do not get out of your car.
Adjust your behavior
- Forget winning; driving is not a contest.
- Give yourself plenty of time to get where you're going. Eliminate your need to rush.
- Practice relaxation. Soothing music and deep breathing help you arrive at your destination in a calmer frame of mind.
- If you find yourself driving angrily on a regular basis, ask for help. An anger management course may dramatically change your attitude.