| More and more drivers are
acting out their anger when they get behind the wheel of a car. After
being cut off, tailgated or slowed down by another vehicle, these angry
drivers commit incredible acts of violence—including assault and murder.
The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety studied more than 10,000
incidents of violent, aggressive driving committed between 1990 and 1996.
That study showed at least 218 people were killed, and another 12,610 were
injured when drivers got angry.
Although many drivers involved in these incidents were men between the
ages of 18 and 26, people of all ages can become aggressive drivers. All
it takes is for a person to be in a bad mood, or for the wrong set of
circumstances to be present. What's more, when drivers explain why they
became violent, the reasons often are incredibly trivial: "He
wouldn't let me pass," or "she kept tailgating me" are
typical examples. One driver accused of murder said, "He practically
ran me off the road—what was I supposed to do?"
How can you avoid becoming the victim of an aggressive driver? While
there are no sure techniques, these three basic principles can help:
Don't Offend
Surveys show remarkably consistent results when drivers were asked what
angers them most. A few specific behaviors seem unusually likely to enrage
other drivers:
Cutting them off. When you merge, make sure you have plenty of room.
Use your turn signal to show your intentions before making a move. If you
make a mistake and accidentally cut off someone, try to apologize with an
appropriate gesture. When other people cut you off, slow down and give
them room to merge into your lane.
Driving slowly in the left lane. When you're in the left lane and
people want to pass, move over and let them by. You may be "in the
right" because you're traveling the speed limit, but you also may be
putting yourself at risk by making drivers behind you angry. The law in
many states and provinces requires you to travel in the right lane and use
the far-left lane only for passing. Besides, it's simple courtesy to move
over and let others by.
Tailgating. Drivers get angry when people follow them too closely.
Allow at least a two-second space between your car and the one ahead
(e.g., when you see the car ahead pass a fixed point, you should be able
to count at least "one thousand, two thousand" before you pass
the same point). If you think another car is driving too slowly but you
can't pass, pull back and allow more space—not less. Always leave room
to get out of the way if something unexpected happens. You should be able
to see the headlights of the car behind you in your rearview mirror. If
you feel another car is following too closely, signal and pull over to let
the other driver go by.
Gestures. Almost nothing makes another driver angrier than an obscene
gesture. Keep your hands on the wheel and avoid making any gestures that
might anger another driver, even "harmless" expressions of
irritation like shaking your head. Be a cautious and courteous driver.
Signal every time you merge or change lanes and whenever you turn.
Sparingly—if ever—use your horn. If you and another driver see a
parking space at the same time, let the other person have it. And, if
another driver seems eager to get in front of you, say, "Be my
guest." When you respond this way for a while, "be my
guest" becomes your automatic response, and you won't be as offended
by other drivers' rudeness.
Don't Engage
One angry driver can't start a fight unless another driver is willing
to join in. You can protect yourself against aggressive drivers by
refusing to become angry at them. Orator Robert Ingersoll said,
"Anger blows out the lamp of the mind." An angry person can do
things they later may regret—and that includes you.
If you're tempted to retaliate against another driver, stop and think,
"Would I want to fly in an airplane with a pilot acting this
way?" Think about the consequences your angry actions could cause;
then cool down and continue your trip.
Steer clear. Give angry drivers lots of room. A driver you may have
offended can snap and become dangerous. When other drivers try to pick a
fight, put as much distance as possible between you and them. Never pull
off to the side of the road and try to settle things "man to
man."
Avoid eye contact. If another driver is acting angry with you, don't
make eye contact. Looking or staring at another driver can turn an
impersonal encounter between two vehicles into a personal duel. Once
things get personal, the situation can get out of hand fast.
Get help. If you believe the other driver is following you or is trying
to start a fight, get help. If you have a cellular phone, call the police.
Otherwise, drive to a place with other people around, such as a police
station, convenience store, shopping center, or a hospital. Use your horn
to get someone's attention, which usually discourages an aggressor. Do not
get out of your car, and do not go home.
Adjust Your Attitude
The most important actions you can take to avoid aggressive driving
take place inside your head. By changing your approach to driving, you can
make every trip more pleasant. Try these ideas for a pleasant change:
Forget winning. For too many motorists, driving becomes a contest. Are
you one of those drivers who allow the shortest possible time for a trip
and then race the clock? If something happens to slow you down, do you get
angry? The solution: Allow more time for your trip. You'll be amazed how
much more relaxed you feel when you have a few extra minutes. Instead of
trying to "make good time," try to "make time good."
Listen to soothing music or a book on tape. Practice relaxation
techniques, such as deep breathing. You'll arrive much calmer, fresher and
in a less stressed-out frame of mind.
Put yourself in the other driver's shoes. Instead of judging the other
driver, try to imagine why he or she is driving that way. Someone speeding
and constantly changing lanes may be a volunteer fireman or a physician.
Someone who jerks from one lane to another may have a bee in the car or a
crying baby in the back seat. Whatever the reason, it has nothing to do
with you. Stay cool and don't take other drivers' actions personally.
If you think you have a problem, ask for help. Courses in anger
management have been shown to reduce heart attacks. These same techniques
can help angry drivers. Dramatic changes in attitude and behavior have
been recorded among drivers who successfully reinvented their approach to
the road. Look for anger-management courses in your area. Self-help books
on stress reduction and anger management also can be helpful.
Violent, aggressive driving clearly is on the rise, but you can avoid
becoming a victim. Follow these suggestions, and you may find that driving
becomes a new, more enjoyable experience.
Reprinted with permission of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety (AAAFTS).
This information originally appeared in their pamphlet, "Preventing
Road Rage: How To Avoid Aggressive Driving." Visit the AAAFTS website
at http://www.aaafts.org. If you want to reproduce this story in any
format, you first must obtain permission of the AAAFTS. Address your
requests to Scott Osberg, director of research, e-mail: sosberg@aaafts.org. |
