Beat Road Aggression

Aggression can lead to a devastating road traffic accident. That is exactly the same reason why a crash occurred at Interstate 80 in Richmond, California. The wreck killed a motorist and left the commute that morning in a standstill. According to witnesses, road rage caused the mishap when a brown 1989 Ford van together with a white 2000 GMC pickup from westbound coming from Carlson Avenue collided with each other. The victim was the driver of the van whom was at his 60’s.

Aggressive driving, in which rage is a subcategory according to the Smart Motorist website, is depicted as the untoward display of aggression between motorists and could lead to more extreme acts of physical assault. The rate of mishaps, which occurred yearly in United States, was of irregular number yet it could be said that it never went below the one thousand mark. As of 1996, there are about 1,201 of these road disasters.

There are three characteristics, which distinguishes an aggressive type of driver from others. According to the New York State Police whom were well acquainted with these individuals, they naturally display the following:

1. Operates a motor vehicle in a selfish, bold or pushy manner
2. Drives without regard to the rights of other road users
3. Drives devoid of consideration for the safety of other road users

Because of these rampant practices done by drivers, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) had created different campaigns in order to warn the public regarding the possible situations that they could be in that would prompt them to commit aggressive driving. Hence, they remind motorists of these guidelines:

·         Focus – Never allow the possibility of being distracted through talking via cellular phone, putting make up or drinking while driving.

·         Calm down – Upon getting into heavy traffic, it is best that the motorist would turn on the radio to listen to music to calm the nerves. By doing this, they would be able to have a good time while still inside the vehicle.

·         Driving on the Posted Speed Limit – Drivers are well advised to follow the posted speed limit so that they would be far from endangering their lives and other people.

·         Locate Substitute Route – There is a possibility that the road less traveled by people would be less congested.

·         Utilize Public Transportation – Using the public transportation can provide less stress at times especially if the route that the motorists are travelling is quite congested. 

·         Be late – If all of the tips are inapplicable then it is better to be late than to risk one’s life in a road traffic accident.

Among all of the aforementioned instances, it is important that people fully understand the importance of keeping calm in situations that dictates otherwise. A virtue is sometimes forgotten in this fast-paced world. Instead of being aggressive due to traffic or by being provoked by other drivers, it is better if people are street smart and be able to find ways to beat time through locating alternate routes.