You reach forward and switch the radio off. What we have here is the perfect
recipe for Road Rage!
Aggressive driving resulted in over 200 deaths from 1990 to 1996. Over
10,000 cases of aggressive driving occurred during this same period,
according to a study conducted by the American Automobile Association's
Foundation for Traffic Safety, http//www.aaafts.org . The number of injuries
during this period was 12,610. Perpetrators of road rage used guns in 37% of
the cases, their vehicles 35% of the time, followed by fists, tire irons,
bats, or whatever else was handy at the time.
What is road rage? This study defined road rage as incidents in which an
angry driver attempted to injure or kill another driver, passenger, or
pedestrian in response to a traffic dispute. You have probably seen the guy
who gives the obscene gesture or tailgates another vehicle, showing his
authority over the road. Typical scenes like this can end up deadly if they
are allowed to escalate. The State of Virginia, alone, had 84 traffic-related
shootings from 1992 to 1996.
To avoid confrontations on the road, he very cautious. You have no idea
whom the other driver is, or what he or she is capable of doing. The other
driver may have had a terrible day or simply be a jerk. Why test fate when it
isn't necessary?
Dr. Redmond Williams, director of Behavioral Medicine Research Center at
Duke University. advises that when you are being tailgated, ask yourself four
questions:
Is the action important to
you?
Is your reaction
appropriate?
Can you change the other
driver's behavior?
Is it worth the risk?
If you answer no to any of these, it is best just to ignore the action and
go on. The fact is that the other driver's action may not be aggressive at
all. He/she may just be a lousy driver.
AAA Foundation recommends that if you arc confronted by an aggressive
driver, avoid making eye contact with the aggressor. If the aggressor persists
and you don't have a cellular phone, drive to an area with a lot of people.
Don't stop on the side of the road, as most drivers will not stop to help
you. Avoid driving to your home, since that just lets the individual know
where you live.
Finally, be polite when you are on the road. Try to remember to signal
when changing lanes. Don't cut in front of other drivers, even if it means
you will have to go to the next exit and back-track to get to your
destination. Bottom line - use common sense and avoid emotional responses.
