Driving is a complex and demanding activity that requires attention, coordination, and judgment. However, some drivers may lose their temper, patience, or self-control on the road, and engage in aggressive driving behaviors that endanger themselves and others. Aggressive driving is not only a public safety concern, but also a health concern, as it can have negative effects on your physical and mental well-being. In this blog post, we will explore what aggressive driving is, how common it is, and how it can impact your health and your driving. We will also provide some tips on how to prevent and cope with aggressive driving, and how to seek professional help if needed.
What is Aggressive Driving?
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), aggressive driving is defined as “the operation of a motor vehicle in a manner that endangers or is likely to endanger persons or property.” Aggressive driving can include a variety of behaviors, such as:
Speeding: Speeding is driving faster than the posted speed limit or faster than the safe speed for the road conditions. Speeding can increase the risk of losing control of the vehicle, colliding with other vehicles or objects, or causing injuries or fatalities. Speeding can also reduce the time and distance available to react to hazards, and increase the severity of crashes. Speeding can be motivated by impatience, anger, thrill-seeking, or disregard for the law.
Tailgating: Tailgating is driving too close to the rear bumper of the vehicle in front, without leaving enough space to stop safely in case of a sudden brake. Tailgating can cause rear-end collisions, which can result in injuries, damages, or deaths. Tailgating can also provoke anger or retaliation from the driver in front, and escalate the situation into road rage. Tailgating can be motivated by impatience, frustration, intimidation, or ignorance of the safe following distance.
Running red lights or stop signs: Running red lights or stop signs is driving through an intersection without stopping or yielding when the traffic signal is red or the sign indicates to stop. Running red lights or stop signs can cause crashes, especially side-impact or T-bone collisions, which can be very dangerous and deadly. Running red lights or stop signs can also endanger pedestrians, cyclists, and other road users who have the right of way. Running red lights or stop signs can be motivated by impatience, haste, distraction, or disregard for the law.
Weaving in and out of traffic: Weaving in and out of traffic is changing lanes frequently and abruptly, without signaling or checking the blind spots, to pass other vehicles or to avoid traffic congestion. Weaving in and out of traffic can cause crashes, as it can surprise or confuse other drivers, and create unsafe gaps or conflicts. Weaving in and out of traffic can also increase the stress and anger of other drivers, and trigger aggressive reactions. Weaving in and out of traffic can be motivated by impatience, haste, thrill-seeking, or disregard for the law.
Cutting off other drivers: Cutting off other drivers is changing lanes or merging into traffic without leaving enough space or time for the other drivers to adjust their speed or position. Cutting off other drivers can cause crashes, as it can force the other drivers to brake hard, swerve, or lose control of their vehicles. Cutting off other drivers can also anger or offend the other drivers, and provoke aggressive responses. Cutting off other drivers can be motivated by impatience, haste, ignorance, or hostility.
Honking, flashing lights, or gesturing rudely: Honking, flashing lights, or gesturing rudely are ways of expressing dissatisfaction, annoyance, or anger to other drivers, using the vehicle’s horn, headlights, or hand signals. Honking, flashing lights, or gesturing rudely can cause distraction, confusion, or fear in other drivers, and impair their driving performance and safety. Honking, flashing lights, or gesturing rudely can also incite anger or retaliation in other drivers, and escalate the situation into road rage. Honking, flashing lights, or gesturing rudely can be motivated by impatience, frustration, resentment, or aggression.
Yelling or swearing at other drivers: Yelling or swearing at other drivers are ways of verbally abusing, insulting, or threatening other drivers, using loud or obscene language. Yelling or swearing at other drivers can cause distraction, embarrassment, or fear in other drivers, and affect their driving performance and safety. Yelling or swearing at other drivers can also provoke anger or retaliation in other drivers, and escalate the situation into road rage. Yelling or swearing at other drivers can be motivated by impatience, frustration, resentment, or aggression.
Threatening or assaulting other drivers: Threatening or assaulting other drivers are ways of physically harming, injuring, or killing other drivers, using weapons, fists, or vehicles. Threatening or assaulting other drivers can cause serious injuries, damages, or fatalities, and violate the law and human rights. Threatening or assaulting other drivers can also traumatize or terrorize other drivers, and affect their mental health and well-being. Threatening or assaulting other drivers can be motivated by anger, hatred, revenge, or psychosis.
Aggressive driving is different from road rage, which is a criminal offense that involves “an assault with a motor vehicle or other dangerous weapon by the operator or passenger(s) of one motor vehicle on the operator or passenger(s) of another motor vehicle caused by an incident that occurred on a roadway. Road rage is a more extreme and violent form of aggressive driving, and it can result in serious injuries or fatalities.
How Common is Aggressive Driving?
Aggressive driving is extremely common among U.S. drivers. According to a 2019 survey by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, nearly 80 percent of drivers expressed significant anger, aggression, or road rage behind the wheel at least once in the previous 30 days. Some of the most common aggressive driving behaviors reported by the drivers were:
Speeding on a freeway (51%): This is driving faster than the posted speed limit or faster than the safe speed for the road conditions on a freeway, which is a high-speed, multi-lane, divided highway. Speeding on a freeway can increase the risk of losing control of the vehicle, colliding with other vehicles or objects, or causing injuries or fatalities.
Tailgating (42%): This is driving too close to the rear bumper of the vehicle in front, without leaving enough space to stop safely in case of a sudden brake. Tailgating can cause rear-end collisions, which can result in injuries, damages, or deaths.
Yelling at another driver (35%): This is verbally abusing, insulting, or threatening another driver, using loud or obscene language. Yelling at another driver can cause distraction, embarrassment, or fear in other drivers, and affect their driving performance and safety.
Honking to show annoyance or anger (29%): This is using the vehicle’s horn to express dissatisfaction, annoyance, or anger to other drivers, in non-emergency situations. Honking to show annoyance or anger can cause distraction, confusion, or fear in other drivers, and impair their driving performance and safety.
Making angry gestures (24%): This is using hand signals to display anger or hostility to other drivers, such as shaking a fist, pointing a finger, or making an obscene gesture. Making angry gestures can cause distraction, embarrassment, or fear in other drivers, and affect their driving performance and safety.
Blocking another vehicle from changing lanes (12%): This is preventing another vehicle from moving into a different lane, by speeding up, slowing down, or staying in their blind spot. Blocking another vehicle from changing lanes can cause frustration, anger, or retaliation in other drivers, and create unsafe gaps or conflicts.
Cutting off another vehicle on purpose (11%): This is changing lanes or merging into traffic without leaving enough space or time for the other drivers to adjust their speed or position. Cutting off another vehicle on purpose can cause crashes, as it can force the other drivers to brake hard, swerve, or lose control of their vehicles.
Getting out of the vehicle to confront another driver (4%): This is exiting the vehicle to physically approach, confront, or attack another driver, in response to a real or perceived provocation. Getting out of the vehicle to confront another driver can cause serious injuries, damages, or fatalities, and violate the law and human rights.
Bumping or ramming another vehicle on purpose (3%): This is hitting or crashing into another vehicle intentionally, using the vehicle as a weapon. Bumping or ramming another vehicle on purpose can cause serious injuries, damages, or fatalities, and violate the law and human rights.
How Does Aggressive Driving Impact Your Health and Your Driving?
Aggressive driving can have serious consequences for your health and your driving, as it can affect your physical, mental, and emotional well-being, as well as your driving performance and safety. Some of the impacts of aggressive driving are:
Increased stress and anxiety: Aggressive driving can cause you to experience stress and anxiety, which can elevate your blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing rate. Stress and anxiety can also impair your immune system, digestion, and sleep quality, and increase your risk of developing chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and depression.
Increased cortisol levels: Cortisol is a hormone that is released in response to stress, and it helps your body cope with stressful situations. However, prolonged or excessive cortisol levels can have negative effects on your health, such as weakening your bones, muscles, and skin, increasing your blood sugar and cholesterol levels, and reducing your memory and cognitive function.
Reduced reaction time and impaired decision-making: Aggressive driving can impair your cognitive abilities, such as your attention, concentration, memory, and judgment. This can reduce your reaction time and impair your decision-making, which can affect your driving performance and safety. For example, you may not notice or respond to traffic signals, signs, or hazards, or you may make risky or reckless maneuvers, such as speeding, tailgating, or cutting off other drivers.
Increased risk of crashes and injuries: Aggressive driving can increase your risk of getting involved in crashes and injuries, as it can cause you to lose control of your vehicle, collide with other vehicles or objects, or provoke other drivers to retaliate. According to the NHTSA, aggressive driving played a role in 56 percent of fatal crashes between 2003 and 2007, most of which were attributed to excessive speed.
How to Prevent and Cope with Aggressive Driving?
Aggressive driving can be prevented and coped with by adopting some strategies, such as:
• Plan ahead. Before you drive, plan your route, check the traffic conditions, and allow enough time for possible delays. This can help you avoid stress and frustration on the road, and make you less likely to drive aggressively.
• Relax and breathe. If you feel stressed, angry, or anxious while driving, try to relax and breathe deeply. This can help you calm down, lower your blood pressure and heart rate, and reduce your cortisol levels. You can also listen to soothing music, practice positive affirmations, or use aromatherapy to help you relax and breathe.
• Be courteous and respectful. Treat other drivers with courtesy and respect, and follow the rules of the road. This can help you avoid conflicts and confrontations, and create a safer and more pleasant driving environment. For example, you can signal your intentions, yield the right of way, maintain a safe distance, and apologize for any mistakes.
• Ignore and avoid. If you encounter an aggressive driver, do not engage or retaliate, as this can escalate the situation and put you in danger. Instead, ignore and avoid them, and report them to the authorities if necessary. For example, you can avoid eye contact, steer clear of their vehicle, and pull over or exit the road if you feel threatened.
• Seek professional help. If you have a chronic or severe problem with aggressive driving, you may benefit from seeking professional help, such as counseling, therapy, or anger management. These services can help you identify and address the underlying causes of your aggressive driving, such as stress, anxiety, depression, or trauma, and teach you coping skills and techniques to manage your emotions and behaviors.
How Can Driving To Independence Help You with Your Driving?
Driving To Independence is a comprehensive driver evaluation and training program that offers individualized service to each of its clients with assessments focused on specific needs or situations. Whether you are a new driver, a senior driver, or a driver with a disability or a medical condition, Driving To Independence can help you achieve or maintain your independence and safety while driving. Some of the services that Driving To Independence provides are:
Driver rehabilitation: Driver rehabilitation is a type of rehabilitation that helps individuals facing challenges caused by a physical or cognitive impairment or age to achieve safe, independent driving or transportation options through education or information dissemination. Professionals who work in the field use adaptive equipment and modified vehicles to help people attain independent community mobility.
Senior safety assessment: A senior safety assessment is a type of home safety assessment that can alert you to potential hazards in an older person’s home. It can help you identify any changes or repairs needed to help keep them safe, such as removing throw rugs, improving lighting, installing grab bars, or using night-lights. A senior safety assessment can also help you determine if an older person can drive safely, or if they need any assistance or modifications to their vehicle.
Driving To Independence has been providing quality service to its clients since 2001, and has a professional staff that participates in continuing education and maintains up-to-date knowledge and techniques for this unique area of driver rehabilitation. Driving To Independence also has evaluation vehicles that are inspected annually and have up-to-date adaptive driving equipment for your training. Driving To Independence can help you achieve your driving goals and improve your health and well-being. To learn more about Driving To Independence and our services, call us at (480) 449-3331.