It has become a cultural norm on the highway with disrespect condoning hostility.

            To qualify as an aggressive driving offense, the person’s driving must be an immediate hazard to another person or vehicle. Drivers know it when they see it. Cars racing down a crowded road, darting in and out of lanes, tailgating, and drivers yelling and gesturing at others, are all behaviors that are recognized as aggressive driving.

            In some instances the driving behavior escalates into assault with the vehicle itself or with a weapon, increase the severity of the event from a traffic incident to a criminal offense. Drivers are becoming more and more fearful of the treat of violence on the highways and evidence indicates are occurring with greater frequency. 

            The time has come for emotions – based rivers educations in primary school. Classes need to start at this young age before the children learn an attitude of disrespect on the roads. It is a matter of developing emotional fitness to start driving as a teenager. The lesson need to teach the psychology of driving, courtesy and alternative behaviors. This will greatly help youth working to protect themselves from growing up with aggressive driving and becoming part of road rage. In essences, divers need to learn good manners.

            Characteristics of an aggressive driver include placing top priority on getting to his destination in the fastest possible time; competing with other fast cars; refusing to give others vehicles the right of way; feeling contempt for drivers who do not think, look, act on drive like they do; and believing that they have the right to punish other drivers.

If you’re an aggressive driver, consider following:

v     Recognize anger in yourself and others.

v     See the point of view of the person who makes you angry.

v     Think clearly about what gets you mad

v     Integrate expressions of anger with expressions of love and respect.

v     Notice what your body feels like when you  are angry.

In order to reduce aggressive driving and increase safety on the roads, the following can be considered:

v     Increasing public awareness of the dangers of aggressive driving

v     Increasing resources to support

v     Traffic enforcement

v     Studying and making recommendations on traffic calming techniques

v     Strengthening traffic legislation

v     Demanding better education for new drivers; and

v     Promoting transportation planning that focuses on safety.

Article contributed by AAM

Click here for more 'Car Detailing Tips and  Techniques'

Go to Main Page