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Unfortunately, more and more drivers have
started acting out their anger when they get
behind the wheel. After they've been cut off,
tailgated, or slowed down by a vehicle in
front of them, these angry drivers can commit
acts of violence, including assault and
murder. When the AAA Foundation for Traffic
Safety studied more than 10,000 incidents of
violent aggressive driving committed between
1990 and 1996, it found that at least 218
people were killed and another 12,610 injured
when drivers got angry.
Although many drivers involved in these
incidents are men between the ages of 18 and
26, anyone can become aggressive if they let
their anger take precedence over safe driving.
The AAA Foundation study found that men,
women, and people of all ages can drive
aggressively if they are in the wrong mood or
circumstances. What's more, when drivers
explained why they became violent the reasons
are often trivial.
How can you avoid being the victim of an
aggressive driver? While there are no sure
techniques, three basic guiding principles can
help:
Don't Offend
When surveys ask drivers what angers them
most, the results are remarkably consistent. A
few specific behaviors seem unusually likely
to enrage other drivers. You can protect
yourself by avoiding them:
Cutting 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 someone off, try
to apologize to the other driver with an
appropriate gesture. If someone cuts you off,
slow down and give them room to merge into
your lane.
Driving slowly in the left lane
If you are in the left lane and someone wants
to pass, move over and let them by. You may be
"in the right" because you are
traveling at the speed limit, but you may also
be putting yourself in danger by making
drivers behind you angry. In Texas the law
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 other drivers by.
Tailgating
Drivers get angry when they are followed too
closely. Allow at least a two-second space
between your car and the car ahead. (When you
see the car pass a fixed point, you should be
able to count at least "one-thousand,
two-thousand" before you pass that
point.) If you think another car is driving
too slowly and you are unable to pass, pull
back and allow more space, not less. That way
if the car does something unexpected you will
have time to get out of the way. You should be
able to see the headlights of the car behind
you in your rear-view mirror. If you feel you
are being followed too closely, signal and
pull over to allow the other driver to go by.
Gestures
Almost nothing makes another driver angrier
than an obscene gesture. Keep your hands on
the wheel. 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. Use
your horn rarely, if ever. If you and another
driver see a parking space at the same time,
let that person have it. And if another driver
seems eager to get in front of you, say
"Be my guest." When you respond this
way, after 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. A person who
is angry can do things they may later regret
and that includes you. If you're tempted to
retaliate against another driver, think about
what kind of a crash 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 truly dangerous. If the other driver
tries to pick a fight, put as much distance as
possible between your vehicle and the other
car, and then get away as quickly as possible.
Do not under any circumstances 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. And 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, use it to call
the police. Otherwise, drive to a place where
there are people around, such as a police
station, convenience store, shopping center,
or even a hospital. Use your horn to get
someone's attention. This will usually
discourage an aggressor. Do not get out of
your car. 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
allows the shortest possible time for a trip
and then races 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 at how much more relaxed you
feel when you have a few extra minutes. So
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
rushing to a hospital. Someone who jerks from
one lane to another may have a bee in the car,
or a crying baby. Whatever their 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 also help angry drivers. Drivers who
successfully "reinvent" their
approach to the road report dramatic changes
in attitude and behavior. Look for anger
management courses in your area. Self-help
books on stress reduction and anger management
can also be helpful. Violent aggressive
driving is clearly on the rise. But you can
avoid becoming a victim by using the tips in
this article. In the process you may find that
driving has become a completely new and more
enjoyable experience.
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