Solution to Aggressive Driving

I was eight years old when I saw my first road rage incident. Another car drove dangerously next to us as our lane was ending and refused to let us in. After taking evasive action, my dad stuck his head out the window, yelled at the driver and showed him an obscene gesture. This is described as aggressive driving or road rage. According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), aggressive driving is described as “the operation of a motor vehicle in a manner that endangers or is likely to endanger persons or property.” Aggressive behavior includes actions such as, honking, tailgating, yelling, making angry gestures, cutting off a vehicle, preventing a vehicle from changing lanes, and speeding. The AAA estimates that 80% of drivers express aggression or road rage once per year. They estimate that half of all fatal accidents were associated with aggressive driving. Aggressive driving has seen an increase in the last twenty years, particularly due to the anonymity we have while driving. Because of the sudden increase in aggressive driving, officials are looking for ways to reduce and prevent aggressive driving. The AAA has recommended a few practical solutions.

• Be aware for your stress levels, the more stressed out you are, the more likely they are to drive aggressively.

• Leave home early, scheduling issue can cause you to speed to get to places on time.

• Listen to soothing music or audiobooks, even taking a deep breath can help prevent aggressive driving.

• Be tolerant and forgiving

• Don’t respond. Avoid eye contact, don’t make gestures, and call 911 if needed.

All these points are good starting points for preventing road rage, however, it doesn’t focus on ways we can prevent road rage in the first place. Road rage is usually caused by poor driving or errors. For example, using a phone while driving, keeping your high beams on, switching lanes without a turn signal, or accidently cutting someone off. Distracted driving is a direct cause of aggressive driving. One idea I have for reducing driving errors is for drivers to learn car control in a safe environment in the sport of autocrossing; an activity I often attend with my dad.

Autocrossing is a safe way to learn car control. Drivers compete for fastest time on a course lined by cones at speeds similar to normal driving. There is a 2 second penalty for hitting a cone so precision driving is needed. Some skills you learn are:

• Car setup and handling characteristics

• Car limits in safe environment

• Driving accuracy

• Car upset control

• Acceleration and braking skills

• Car skid control

You also get that need for speed fulfilled safely. I am working towards becoming an autocross driver and learning these skills by training with my dad. These defensive driving skills will help me to improve my situational awareness and prevent common errors that cause road rage. If every driver learns these skills, aggressive and distracted driving can be prevented, resulting in safer roads.

https://aaafoundation.org/prevalence-self-reported-aggressive-driving-behavior-united-states-2014/