Aggressive driving Essay

Aggressive driving refers to dangerous driving that disregards safety and courtesy. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety plaque defines aggressive driving as occurring when individuals commit a combination of moving traffic offenses so as to endanger other persons or property. Driving behaviors that norm aloney constitute aggressive driving includespeeding,racing, a great deal changing lanes,cutting off other drivers,failing to signal,running red lights,failing to yield,tailgating,slowing quickly to discourage a tailgater, andboxing other cars in and using other intimidation maneuvers.In addition, aggressive drivers may further try to intimidate their victims by shouting or making obscene gestures at them. several(prenominal) different legislatively-defined driving offenses are similar in some ways to aggressive driving. magic spell statutory descriptions vary from state to state, they include the following Careless, inattentive, distracted, or negligent driving involves fail ing to exercise normal care, or endangering people or property, musical composition driving a vehicle. Many states are adding to their statutes specific language prohibiting use of certain technologies while driving. both(prenominal) states include negligent driving under foolhardy or impaired driving statutes so that defendants plead to the lesser negligent-driving charge to avoid the more unplayful charge. Reckless driving is a more serious form of careless or negligent driving. It is variously defined as creating a substantial or unjustifiable insecurity of harm, a conscious or wanton disregard of safety, and/or a gross deviation from reasonable behavior in the situation. Aggressive driving addresses many of the same behaviors covered by reckless driving statutes, but adds a notion of a pattern of behaviors occurring over a short period and/or lifeion. As intention is intemperate to prove, states with statutes that require the standard of intention be met a lot see aggress ive driving charged as reckless driving.Driving behaviors includedin the definition of aggressive driving could result from aggression, selfishness, or competition. As many of the behaviors that constitute aggressive driving could overly occur in the absence of aggression (if a driver is inattentive, for example), some state legislatures use a threshold of three or more potentially aggressive driving behaviors committed in a sequence or over a short period in their statutory definitions. Aggressive driving definitions should cover hostile, competitive, and selfishly motivated driving behaviors. pathway rage is a more extreme form of aggression that involves criminal intimidation and/or violence precipitated by driving activities. Road rage involves an intent to harm, can involve use of the vehicle as a weapon, or can take place outside the vehicle(s) involved. Driving provokes anger more often than other activities. Driving is a goal-oriented activity, the purpose being to get fro m point A to point B expeditiously yet people easily and frequently thwart driving goals. Driving is also a stressful activity that exposes drivers and passengers to potentially significant dangers. Incivility amongst drivers is common and reliably provokes anger in its recipients. For all these reasons, drivers report frequently feeling baseless. Anger may, but usually does not, lead to aggressive driving or thoroughfare rage. Situational, cultural, and individual factors combine to cause angry drivers to behave aggressively behind the wheel.Prevalence of Aggressive DrivingTwo-thirds of traffic fatalities involve behaviors commonly associated with aggressive driving, such as speeding, running red lights, and improperly changing lanes. One-third of all traffic injuries result from aggressive driving. Speeding, a common element in aggressive driving, contributes to about one-third of fatal crashes Several studies have shown that somewhere between 20 percent and 35 percent of drive rs have honked their nozzles, yelled, obscenely gestured, and cursed at other drivers. Estimates indicate that from 6 percent to 28 percent of drivers have tailgated or blocked other drivers vehicles. These behaviors can be part of a pattern of acts that constitute aggressive driving, and they can also provoke anger that could lead to aggressive driving in others. Research findings are mixed on whether aggressive driving is more prevalent straightaway than in the past. What is known is that aggressive driving occurs frequently and is a significantcontributor to injury and fatality collisions. While the violent and assaultive acts that constitute road rage are rare, they deserve police attention. . Occasionally, motorists have found themselves in unpleasant situations involving abusive gestures or language from another driver who takes issue with how they drive. fretting and frustration can quickly spark an aggressive or careless driver who tailgates, speeds, fails to yield the ri ght of way among other behaviors. Aggressive driving behaviour may lead to incidents of road rage where motorists have been threatened and/or subjected to retaliatory actions by angry motorists. If people drive responsibly they will bowdlerize the chances of conflict on the road and help make our roads safer. Experts recommend the following tips to help avoid road conflictsPlan your route in advance. Some of the most erratic and inconsiderate driving occurs when motorists are lostMake a conscious decision not to take your problems with you when drivingCombat the precedent signs of stress by getting fresh air and breathing deeply and slowly. Listen to relaxing music Avoid presbyopic drives if you can. If you take a long trip, stop every few hours for a rest. Before and during a long drive, avoid heavy meals which tend to make a person lethargic causal agency in a courteous and considerate manner. Give way at absorb intersections and where traffic lanes mergeDont compete or retal iate. If persons driving annoys you, dont try to educate them. Leave traffic enforcement to the policeDont take other drivers mistakes personallyAvoid honking your horn unless absolutely necessary and, if you must, tap on it lightlySay, Sorry if you make a mistake. An apology can reduce the risk of conflictIf you are being physically threatened, stay in your car and lock the doors. If you have a cell phone call the police. Use your horn and lights to attract attentionIf you think you are being followed, do not drive home. Go to a police station or a busy public placeDont carry a defensive weapon it might provoke a potential assailant.