Aggressive Driving
Nueces County
Safe Communities
Coalition
Aggressive driving has become a
serious problem
• Look familiar?
Scenes like this
are becoming
all too common
on roadways
across the
nation!
DOT Wisconsin
What exactly is Aggressive Driving?
According to NHTSA
aggressive driving occurs
when an individual
commits a combination of
moving traffic offenses so
as to endanger other
persons or property.
Have you..?
• If you’ve ever been passed on the
wrong side, tailgated, cut off, or
hemmed in by another vehicle, you’ve
been the victim of an aggressive driver.
• Drivers may be fined up to $200 for
each moving violation associated with
aggressive driving and could spend time
in jail!
Did You Know?
• According to a NHTSA survey, over six
of ten drivers consider unsafe driving by
others, including speeding, a major
personal threat to themselves and their
families.
• According to AAA, 40% of the
respondents in one survey admitted to
driving aggressively when they are late
or in a hurry.
Did you know?
• Weaving, tailgating, distracted drivers,
and unsafe lane changes were some of
the behaviors identified.
• 98 percent of respondents said it was
important that something be done to
reduce unsafe driving.
NHTSA
Why is it getting worse?
• 72% of people surveyed believed that
aggressive driving has gotten worse. Why?
• Lack of responsible driving behavior;
remember it’s not a sport!
• Reduced levels of enforcement due to budget
constraints.
• More travel and congestion. The number of
miles driven in the US has increased by 38%
while the number of available roads has only
increased by less than 1%. (National Safety Council)
Who are aggressive drivers?
• High risk drivers, climbing into the
anonymity of an automobile, can take
out their frustrations on anybody at any
time.
• Their frustration levels are high and
levels of concern for fellow motorists
are low.
DOT Delaware
They May Look Like This!
• How often do you
see this type of
reaction from
other drivers…or
maybe even
yourself?
What do aggressive drivers do?
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Run stop signs and red lights
Tailgate
Weave in and out of traffic
Pass on the right
Make improper and unsafe lane changes
Make hand and facial gestures
Scream, honk, and flash their lights
…and more
• Drive at excessive speeds
• Follow too closely
• Change lanes frequently and abruptly without
notice
• Pass on the shoulder or unpaved portions of
the roadway
• Leer at and/or threaten - verbally or through
gestures - motorists who are simply in front
of them
Reasons for Aggressive Driving?
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Mood
Poor Planning
Inability to Control Emotions
Medical Conditions or Medications
Lack of Rest - Poor Sleep
Unbalanced Diet
Anxiety and Panic Disorders
NY State Police
Aggressive Driving Statistics
• For 2011, NHTSA reported 3,016 traffic
fatalities in Texas.
• It is estimated that approximately 35% of
traffic fatalities were caused by aggressive
driving.
• Most of the aggressive driving accidents
involved males age 18-26.
• However, women and drivers over 50 are also
responsible for aggressive driving accidents.
Additional Facts
• Some of the cases involved cars being
driven into crowds of people.
• Some cases involved cars being driven
into police officers.
• Road Rage can cause inattentive driving
and result in hitting of stationary
objects.
Aggressive Driving
• is evidenced in Corpus Christi by
the average of over 12,000
speeding citations issued by the
Corpus Christi Police Department
each year from 2009 to 2011, and
• the 24,483 citations issued for
running red lights in 2011.
Aggressive Driving in
Nueces County
• As an indicator of Aggressive driving,
Speeding contributed to 35.5% of all
fatal crashes in Nueces County in 2011.
• Speeding contributed to the 4.66 traffic
crash deaths per 100,000 population in
the County that was higher than the
rate for Texas as a whole at 4.54 in
2011.
FARS/NHTSA
Aggressive Diving and Nueces
County Traffic Crashes
This Project has conducted several
studies over the past decade. A
consistent finding has been that those
who reported speeding, running red
lights, running stop signs, tailgating,
gesturing at other drivers, and other
aggressive behaviors were significantly
more likely to report traffic crashes
than non-aggressive drivers.
More Facts
• Aggressive driving can reduce your fuel
economy by as much as 33% on the
highway and 5% in town. (US. Dept. of Energy)
• Drivers who slam on their accelerators
and slam on their brakes will waste
much more gas than those who use
their gas and brake pedals gently and
anticipate traffic slowdowns.
How many of you..?
• Many drivers underestimate the safety
impact for them of distractions or
aggressive driving, although they are
quick to point it out in other drivers.
Are you an aggressive driver?
• Do you take your frustrations from life
with you when you get behind the
wheel?
• Does your personality change when you
get behind the wheel?
• Do you tailgate other drivers?
• Do you exceed the posted speed limit?
• Do you run stop signs and/or red lights?
Have you qualified yet?
• Do you pass vehicles on the right, or in no
passing zones?
• Do you make hand and/or facial gestures
directed at another driver, or where only you
can see them?
• Do you fail to yield to pedestrians?
• Do you fail to use your turn signal?
• Do you fail to yield to emergency vehicles?
How did you do?
• Believe it or not:
If you answered “Yes“ to any of
the questions, YOU are also
considered to be an aggressive
driver.
City of Santa Rosa, CA
Avoid Being an Aggressive Driver
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Manage time effectively
Regular exercise routine
Relaxation exercises while driving
Do not drive when angry
Keep a positive attitude when driving
Give other drivers a break
Treat other drivers like you want to be
treated
Continued…
• Keep your emotions in check. Don’t
take your frustrations out on other
drivers.
• Plan ahead and allow enough time for
delays.
• Focus on YOUR OWN driving. Yelling,
pounding on the steering wheel, and
honking your horn won’t make traffic
move any faster!
In addition…
• Try playing relaxing music in the car
• Think of your car as a refuge from the
chaos and madness on the road around
you
• Use public transportation when feasible
• Try to maintain safe following distance
at all times
• Think before acting out
Avoiding Aggressive Drivers
• Get out of their way
• Do not challenge in any way
• Avoid eye contact
• Wear your seatbelt
• Ignore gestures
• Don’t take it personally
• Keep your head together and keep
cool
How to Avoid Danger
• First, be a cautious, considerate driver.
Avoid creating a situation that may
provoke another motorist.
– Don’t tailgate or flash your lights at
another driver
– If you’re in the left lane and someone
wants to pass, move over.
– Use your horn sparingly
Avoiding Danger
• Second, if you do encounter an angry
driver, don’t make matters worse by
triggering a confrontation.
– Avoid eye contact
– Steer clear and give angry drivers plenty of
room
– Don’t make inappropriate hand or facial
gestures
– If you’re concerned for your safety, call
911
Report Aggressive Driving
• Should you find yourself being harassed
by another driver, and/or being
followed, do not stop or go to your
home, proceed cautiously to the nearest
police station and report the incident.
• When you can safely do so, you or a
passenger may use a cellular phone to
call the police.
Info for Making a Report!
• Description of the aggressive
driver’s vehicle
• License plate number
• Location
• Direction of travel
NHTSA
Something To Think About!
• If you feel yourself losing control, ask if it is
worth your life or the life of another person.
• You may be the one to get the fine, jail time,
or injury.
• Avoid the challenges of confrontations with
an aggressive driver and support law
enforcement’s efforts to rid the streets and
highways of this menace.
• Drive Safely
• Be Attentive
• Always Buckle Up
• More info
Nueces
County
– [email protected]
–www.nhtsa.gov
–www.txdot.gov
Revised 6/5/2013