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2.10 – Aggressive Drivers/Road Rage
2.10.1 – What Is Aggressive Driving?
Aggressive driving and road rage are not new problems. However, in today’s world, where heavy and slow-moving traffic and tight schedules are the norm, more and more drivers are taking out their anger and frustration in their vehicles. Crowded roads leave little room for error, leading to suspicion and hostility among drivers and encouraging them to take personally the mistakes of other drivers.
Aggressive driving is the act of operating a motor vehicle in a selfish, bold or pushy manner, without regard for the rights or safety of others.
Road rage is operating a motor vehicle with the intent of doing harm to others or physically assaulting a driver or his/her vehicle.
2.10.2 – Do Not Be an Aggressive Driver
How you feel before you even start your vehicle has a lot to do with how stress will affect you while driving.
- Reduce your stress before and while you drive. Listen to “easy listening” music.
- Give the drive your full attention. Do not allow yourself to become distracted by talking on your cellphone, eating, etc.
- Be realistic about your travel time. Expect delays because of traffic, construction, or bad weather.
- If you are going to be later than you expected – deal with it. Take a deep breath and accept the delay.
- Give other drivers the benefit of the doubt. Try to imagine why they are driving that way. Whatever their reason, it has nothing to do with you.
- Slow down and keep your following distance reasonable.
- Do not drive slowly in the left lane of traffic.
- Avoid gestures. Keep your hands on the wheel. Avoid making any gestures that might anger another driver, even seemingly harmless expressions of irritation like shaking your head.
- Be a cautious and courteous driver. If another driver seems eager to get in front of you, say, “be my guest.” This response will soon become a habit and you will not be as offended by other drivers’ actions.
2.10.3 – What You Should Do When Confronted by Aggressive Drivers
- First and foremost, make every attempt to get out of their way.
- Put your pride in the back seat. Do not challenge them by speeding up or attempting to hold-your-own in your travel lane.
- Avoid eye contact.
- Ignore gestures and refuse to react to them.
- Report aggressive drivers to the authorities by providing a vehicle description, license number, location and, if possible, direction of travel.
- If you have a cellphone, and can do it safely, call the police.
- If an aggressive driver is involved in a crash farther down the road, stop a safe distance from the crash scene, wait for the police to arrive and report the driving behavior that you witnessed.
Multiple-Choice Questions:
Define road rage:
- Operating a motor vehicle with the intent of doing harm to others or physically assaulting a driver or his/her vehicle.
- Driving just a few miles per hour above the speed limit to save a few minutes
- Taking the off-ramp without first getting into the proper gear
- The act of operating a motor vehicle in a selfish, bold, or pushy manner, without regard for the rights or safety of others.
Road rage is operating a motor vehicle with the intent of doing harm to, others or physically assaulting a driver or his/her vehicle.
Define aggressive driving:
- The act of operating a motor vehicle in a selfish, bold, or pushy manner, without regard for the rights or safety of others
- Driving just a few miles per hour above the speed limit to save a few minutes
- Staying in the left lane below the speed limit, angering other drivers
- Taking the off-ramp without first getting into the proper gear
Aggressive driving is the act of operating a motor vehicle in a selfish, bold or pushy manner, without regard for the rights or safety of others.
What should you do if confronted by an aggressive driver?
- Ignore gestures and refuse to react to them.
- All these are correct
- First and foremost, make every attempt to get out of their way.
- Put your pride in the back seat. Do not challenge them by speeding up or attempting to hold your own in your travel lane.
2.10.3 – What You Should Do When Confronted by Aggressive Drivers
- First and foremost, make every attempt to get out of their way.
- Put your pride in the back seat. Do not challenge them by speeding up or attempting to hold-your-own in your travel lane.
- Avoid eye contact.
- Ignore gestures and refuse to react to them.
- Report aggressive drivers to the authorities by providing a vehicle description, license number, location and, if possible, direction of travel.
- If you have a cellphone, and can do it safely, call the police.
- If an aggressive driver is involved in a crash farther down the road, stop a safe distance from the crash scene, wait for the police to arrive and report the driving behavior that you witnessed.
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