According to The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, aggressive driving has become a major concern of the public, ranking at or near the top of traffic safety issues in national surveys.
The Foundation defines aggressive driving as “any single unsafe driving behavior performed deliberately and with ill-intention.” As many as 56 percent of fatal crashes involve one or more unsafe driving behaviors typically associated with aggressive driving. Speeding is the most common contributing factor and is involved in nearly one in three deadly crashes.
TIPS TO COMBAT AGGRESSIVE DRIVING
- Don’t have a “Do as I say, not as I do” attitude
- Plan your trip
- Avoid dangerous interactions and confrontations
- Avoid eye contact with aggressive drivers
- Do not take the actions of other drivers personally
- Be a courteous and patient driver
- Do not tailgate and use the left lane only when passing
- Use signals and with plenty of warning
- Use the horn only as a safety device
- Obey the speed limit
- Identify alternative routes
- Just be late
- Get out of the way and let an aggressive driver pass
- Don’t challenge aggressive drivers
For More Information:
- http://nwohio.aaa.com/traffic-safety/aggressive-driving
- William Bowers, Ohio State Highway Patrol: 419-352-2481
- Sandy Wiechman, Safe Communities Coordinator: 419-372-9353 or swiechm@bgsu.edu