Driver Education Aggressive Driving Unit

Aggressive Driving 2002 - ISBOE

Aggressive Driving Statistics

One-third of all crashes: related to aggressive

driving behaviors - NHTSA

Aggressive driving: plays a part in two- thirds

of all traffic fatalities - USDOT

Aggressive Driving: One of the top three

driving highway safety concerns along with DUI & non-use of seat belts USDOT
Aggressive Driving is more of a threat than DUI

-1996 AAA Survey

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Aggressive Driving Statistics

Illinois State Police reported aggressive &

reckless driving as the single largest call for service in Chicago.

Aggressive Driving & Illinois Law - Aggressive driving actions are charged under Illinois reckless driving statutes. - Fines and penalties may be levied up to $1500 require traffic school, and/or attend victim impact panel discussions.
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12 Illinois Aggressive Driving Violations

In Illinois, aggressive driving is defined as committing any two or more of the following violations in a single act or series of acts.

Improper Lane Usage Improper Passing On the Right Improper Shoulder Driving Following Too Closely Disobeying Police Officer
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12 Illinois Aggressive Driving Violations

6.

Disobeying Traffic Control Device Or Sign

7.
8. 9. 10. 11.

Drag Racing
Speeding - In School & Construction Zones Improper U-Turn Failure To Signal Failure To Yield

12.

Disobeying Railroad Crossing Signal

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Legislative Penalties For The Aggressive Driver

Penalties May Include Any Or All Of The Following

Fines Prison Time Required Aggressive Driving Education Suspension of License Revocation of License
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What is Aggressive Driving?

Driving which creates undue risk or endangers

the safety of another person or vehicle.

Involves the operation of a motor vehicle in a

manner which endangers or is likely to endanger persons or property NHTSA

Aggressive driving may range from personal

risk-taking behavior to hostile actions towards other motorists.

NHTSA characterizes aggressive driving as a

traffic offense.

Aggressive Driving 2002 - ISBOE

What is Road Rage?

Driving which creates undue risk or endangers

the safety of another person or vehicle.

Road rage refers to a display of aggression by

an angry or impatient motorist who attempts to injure or kill another driver over a traffic dispute
NHTSA characterizes road rage as a criminal

offense vs. aggressive driving which is viewed as a traffic offense.

Aggressive Driving 2002 - ISBOE

Symptoms of Aggressive Driving

Thoughts of violence against other users Always driving in a hurry

Constantly criticizing other drivers

Not observing laws you do not agree with Believing that your driving is not part of the

problem
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Emotional Impairments Associated With Aggressive Driving

Category 1: Impatience and Inattentiveness
1.
2.

Driving through red lights. Driving through yellow lights. Rolling stops. Cutting corners or rolling over double center lines. Blocking intersections. Failure to yield.
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3.
4.

5.
6.

Emotional Impairments Associated With Aggressive Driving

Category 1: Impatience and Inattentiveness
7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.

Improper lane change or weaving. Driving 5 to 15 miles per hour over the limit. Following too closely. Not signaling when required. Erratically slowing or speeding up. Taking too long/ inefficient driving.
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Emotional Impairments Associated With Aggressive Driving

Category 2: Power Struggle
1. 2.

3. 4. 5.

Closing the gap to prevent entry. Threatening or insulting by yelling, gesturing, or honking repeatedly. Tailgating to punish or coerce. Cutting off to retaliate. Braking suddenly to retaliate.
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Emotional Impairments Associated With Aggressive Driving

Category 3: Recklessness & Road Rage Chasing in a duel.

1. 2. 3. 4.

Driving drunk.
Pointing a gun or shooting. Assaulting with the car or battering object.

5.

Driving at very high speeds.

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Aggressive Driving Profiles

Steering Clear Of Highway Madness - Dr. John Larson Identifies 5 categories of aggressive drivers.

Speeders Getting to a destination as fast as possible. Passive Aggressors View driving events as
win/lose situations.

Narcissists Angered by drivers who do not drive the

way they want them to.

Vigilantes Believing it is their right or duty to teach a

lesson.

Competitors Always wanting to win & be first.

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Aggressive Driving Trigger Events

Dr. Arnold Nerenberg - Characterizes four major traffic situations that trigger aggressive driving.

1.

Feeling Endangered

2.
3.

Being Detained (When Others Drive Too slowly)

Watching Others Disregard Rules of the Road

4.

Feeling the Need To Retaliate

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Aggressive Driving
Personality Emotions - Attitudes
Aggressive Predisposition:
High Anger Drivers Drive more aggressively.

Perception Of Other Drivers Actions:

Beliefs Regarding Other Drivers Motives.

Mood Effects - AAA Study:

Identified Unsafe Drivers More Affected By Mood.

Restrained Behavior:
Drivers Are Less Restrained Regarding Behavior Because They Feel They Will Not See Other Drivers Again.
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Aggressive Driving
Personality Emotions - Attitudes
Territorial Nature:
People See Their Vehicle As Part Of Their Personal Space.

Learned Behavior:
Children Grow Up Watching Their Parents Drive Aggressively Along with Media Reinforcement.

Acceptance:
Societal Acceptance Of Aggressive Driving Increasing.

Power & Control:

An Addictive Sense of Power & Control Are Attributed To Aggressive Driving
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Aggressive Driving Solutions

Before You Drive

Create a relaxing environment with music. Remind yourself that you cant change other drivers, but you can change your response to them. Practice self conscious driving: Think positively regardless of the bad driving around you.
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Aggressive Driving Solutions

While You Drive

Adopt the values of cooperation, tolerance

and rationality.

Monitor your thoughts. Recognize that everyone makes mistakes.

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Aggressive Driving Solutions

While You Drive

When you do get angry create a distraction - Count to 20 - Turn on the radio.

Calm yourself by talking through the situation. Breathe deeply, use breathing techniques to relax and regain control.

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Am I An Aggressive Driver?

Tape record yourself while driving

Listen to the comments later & note how you

are really acting or thinking while driving. Ask others to comment on your driving Websites with road rage quizzes:

http://www.
aloha.net/-dyc/surveys/#Tests nhtsa.dot.gov/people/outreach/employer/nets98/pdf_2/Agdriv.pdf

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Summary - Be Wise

Avoid all conflict if possible. If challenged: - take a deep breath - get out of the way (Even if you are right.) Instead try to be more forgiving and tolerant. Recognize the absurdity of traffic disputes. Focus on whats really important in life. Save your energy and your life-for something really important.
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Summary Emotional Challenges

Driving is emotionally challenging because unexpected events happen constantly. Drivers must learn to challenge the thoughts that provoke anger before it leads to aggressive & unmanageable driving. This may necessitate drivers undergoing a driving personality makeover!
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