6c – Aggressive driving
6c- AGGRESSIVE DRIVING
You are not alone on the road!
By definition:
Road rage is considered to be a willful and unrestrained disregard for the safety of other drivers.
Examples of aggressive driving, are speeding and/or tailgating even in heavy traffic conditions. Aggressive driving is usually caused by drivers being impatient.
May be as dangerous as aggressive drivers are the ones who are scared of driving, are not sure of themselves and anything else, and react inappropriately.
I fear them more than aggressive drivers because their reaction is unpredictable.
Accidents never just happen. They are caused.
.
Plan your trip and destination, especially before traveling on freeways where you will not have the opportunity to stop. Decide in advance, and write it down as a list of directions before leaving. Prepare your trip on Google Maps rather than using your GPS while driving, and get ready to exit way in advance.
If you miss an exit (that may also be caused by distraction), then go to the next exit even if it is 5 miles away, interrupting freeway traffic is not worth the risk.
WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW :
The driver suddenly realize that was the exit …
This driver hesitates and stops in the middle of the freeway lane then cross the lanes sideways ignoring vehicles comiing behind, and showing a complete disregard for the markings and the consequences.
.
This person should have his/her license revoked for LIFE!!!
But if someone is injured or killed, fleeing the scene of an accident becomes a category B felony with penalties of 2 to 20 years in prison and $2,000 to $5,000 in fines.
The Nevada State Police defines an Aggressive Driver as one who operates a motor vehicle in a selfish, bold or pushy manner, without regard for the rights or safety of other users of the streets and highways.
Aggressive driving behavior is dangerous, in particular, excessive speed and reckless driving. It may be contagious, as people may retaliate by doing the same thing to the perpetrator and become as guilty as the perpetrator. This behavior can quickly escalate to a “road rage” level.
Slow drivers may also irritate other drivers, who may then react recklessly.
You must go with the flow of traffic with a maximum of 5 mph below average.
A new Nevada law says that if you are driving under the speed limit on the left lane of a freeway you will get a ticket for obstruction to traffic.
Take some additional lessons with a professional to boost your self-confidence. (And may also take your dog with you to boost his confidence.? (LOL) Too bad they are not allowed…
Plan your route in advance especially for freeway travel.
Accidents Do Not Happen, They Are Caused.
What is Considered Aggressive Driving?
The aggressive behavior list includes:
- Excessive Speed,
- Frequent or Unsafe Lane Changes,
- Cutting somebody off (unsafe passing),
- Failure to Signal or signaling too late,
- Tailgating,
- Failure to Yield the Right of Way,
- Disregarding Traffic Controls,
- Impaired Driving,
- Cell phone / electronic device use.
What is Road Rage?
Road rage is using the vehicle as a weapon or physically assaulting a driver or their vehicle, and is NOT aggressive driving. These are criminal offenses (road rage), and there are laws in place to deal with these violent crimes.
They are extreme acts of physical assault that result from disagreements between drivers and are a form of aggression.
5 Ways to Avoid Road Ragers
- 1. Drive predictably and considerately. This means signaling, checking for space when merging, not looking at your cell phone, and other safe driving practices. …
- 2. Honk only if you have too. …
- 3. Avoid angry motorists when you see them. …
- 4. Ignore obscene gestures. …
- 5. Don’t be afraid to report road rage to the authorities.
If you encounter an aggressive driver…
The Nevada State Police recommends these basic tips for dealing with an aggressive driver:
- Remain calm,
- Keep your distance,
- Do not pass unless you have to,
- Change lanes once it is safe (don’t jump lanes without looking),
- If you cannot change lanes and an aggressive driver is behind you, stay where you are, maintain the proper speed and do not look at this driver. Do not respond with hostile gestures, since they could provoke road rage on his part.
- You may pull off the road to call 911 (or *911 from a cell phone) to report an aggressive driver or a driver you believe may be impaired with drug or alcohol abuse.
NEVER RETALIATE. “Road rage” is like a box of chocolates…you never know what you are going to get! but the outcome is never good, nobody wins..
- (Special note: If you witness an act of aggressive driving, the police cannot issue a ticket simply because you’ve got a plate number. A police officer must witness the infraction and positively identify the driver of the vehicle in order to issue a ticket. However, if you travel a route on a regular basis and witness aggressive behavior at certain times, or all of the time, the State Police would be interested in knowing that about the location.)
Research finds that aggressive driving is a factor in up to 56 percent of deadly vehicle crashes. Motorists are concerned with others’ aggressive driving while many are guilty themselves.
Avoid behaviors which are likely to provoke aggression
- Gestures – Obscene or offensive gestures irritate other drivers. Be aware that any gesture may be misinterpreted by another driver.
- Lane blocking – Don’t block the passing lane on multiple lane highways. Allow vehicles to pass you.
- Tailgating – Maintain a safe distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you.
- Signal use – Don’t change lanes without using your signal, and make sure you can change lanes without cutting another driver off. After changing lanes or turning, turn your signal off.
- Horn use – Use your horn sparingly. Noise is shown to be a contributor to stress.
- Failure to turn – In many areas, including New York State, right turns are allowed after a complete stop for a red light unless an intersection is marked otherwise. Avoid the right lane if you are not turning right.
- Parking:
- Don’t take up more than one parking space.
- Don’t park in a space reserved for people with disabilities unless you are disabled.
- Don’t open your door into the car next to you.
- When parallel parking, do not tap the vehicles in front or in back of yours.
- Always look carefully before backing out of a parking space.
- Headlight use – Flashing headlights to denote irritation is rude and unsafe.
Keep headlights on low beam, except where lighting conditions are poor. Dim your high beams for oncoming traffic, when approaching a vehicle from the rear or when another vehicle is passing you. - Merging – When traffic permits, move out of the right-hand acceleration lane of a freeway to allow vehicles easier access from on-ramps.
- Blocking traffic – If you are driving a cumbersome or slow-moving vehicle, pull over when possible to allow traffic to pass you. Do not block the road to stop and have a conversation with another driver or a pedestrian.
- Alarms – Be sure you know how to turn off the anti-theft alarm on any vehicle you are driving. If you are purchasing an alarm, buy one that turns off automatically after a short time.
Road congestion is a major contributing factor to traffic disputes:
- Consider altering your schedule.
Allow plenty of time to get where you are going. Can you change your schedule or route to avoid the worst congestion? And does it really matter if you are a little late? - Improve the comfort of your vehicle.
Listen to music or books on tape that reduces your anxiety, but avoid anger-inducing talk radio. Use your air conditioner. Make your seat more comfortable by adjusting your seating position or using a pillow. - Concentrate on being relaxed.
Take a deep breath. Don’t clench your teeth or grip the steering wheel too tightly. Try doing limited stretching exercises, especially with your neck. - Don’t drive when you are upset, angry or overtired.
Take a break to calm down, “cool off” or rest before you get behind the wheel.
- Avoid all conflict if possible.
If you are challenged, take a deep breath and get out-of-the-way, even if you are in the right. Arguing will only aggravate the situation. - NEVER RETALIATE. “Road rage” is like a box of chocolates…you never know what you are going to get
Road Rage and surprise Video - Finally, before reacting, think about the possible consequences of your actions.
Aggressive behavior behind the wheel could result in serious injury or even death to yourself or someone else. Don’t let an impulsive action ruin the rest of your life.
Reduce Your Stress
If you are making a long trip:
- Take regular breaks to stretch and walk around. Do not overlook this, even if you feel good!
- Eat light snacks as opposed to heavy meals. Heavy meal diverts blood to the digestive system and the brain slows down its activity. You lose attention and awareness.
- Avoid eating in noisy, crowded places since they can promote stress.
Use common courtesy:
- Give the other driver the benefit of the doubt.
- We all make mistakes. Do not assume that all unsafe driving actions are intentional or personal.
- Make a nice gesture to apologize if you made a mistake, to show that was not intentional.
- Be polite and courteous, even if the other driver isn’t.
Keep Your Cool, Think Before You React
- Drivers must pay more attention to their own levels of emotion.
Evidence suggests that drivers who allow their emotions to spiral out of control while driving are a much greater risk to themselves than to those around them.
Self-control is crucial in managing stress and aggression
- It is important to try not to elevate aggressive emotion with an outburst. Research shows that this does not help to overcome the situation and the risk of retaliation increases. Several psychologists suggest a “cooling off” period, such as going for a walk or using relaxation techniques.
- Although many people, particularly men, go for a drive to “cool off,” it is not recommended. Any activity that is an attempt to “cool off” must be distracting enough to interfere with the train of anger-inducing thought.
- If you need to isolate yourself to cool off, you may get in your car but do not start the engine, just listen to relaxing music for a while.
End of Lesson 6- “Sharing the Road”
End of Topic 6 c “Aggessive Driving”
Next: Quiz 6