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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