Photo: Piotr Powietrzynski/gettyimages
Washington — A recent survey of U.S. drivers found that 96% admitted they’ve been aggressive behind the wheel within the past year.
The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety conducted the survey of more than 3,000 drivers aged 16 or older as part of a three-part study. A little more than 10% of the drivers who said they had engaged in aggressive behaviors also admitted to lashing out with violent behaviors, including:
- Following other vehicles with the intent to confront the driver
- Stepping out of their vehicle
- Throwing objects at other vehicles
- Attempting to run other vehicles off the road
- Physically threatening other drivers
Respondents listed several reasons for their aggressive behaviors:
- Wanting to get to a destination more quickly
- Perceived threats to safety
- Seeking control over “sometimes chaotic” driving environments
- Attempting to educate other drivers on the correct way to behave
- Retaliating against perceived slights
- Punishing other drivers for bad behavior
AAA says the results also show that the most significant predictor of whether people will drive aggressively is “the extent to which other drivers in your area engage in aggressive driving behaviors.”
Around 20% of the respondents said they know someone who was threatened by another driver with a weapon during a road rage incident, and 12% know someone who was injured or killed in a road rage incident.
“This work also concludes that road etiquette and manners can be a protective factor against aggressive driving,” David Yang, president and executive director of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, said in a press release. “Let’s change our driving culture so we can achieve the safe mobility vision for all road users.”
AAA offers tips to help control road rage:
- Stay calm and don’t engage aggressive drivers: no eye contact, no gestures, no response.
- Give space and let aggressive drivers pass. Keep your distance.
- Call 911 if threatened and go to a public place. Don’t drive home.
- When starting to feel angry behind the wheel, take a deep breath before reacting.
- “Choose time over tension”: Leave early, give space and arrive safely.
McCraren Compliance offers many opportunities in safety training to help circumvent accidents. Please take a moment to visit our calendar of classes to see what we can do to help your safety measures from training to consulting.
Original article published by Safety+Health an NSC publication