Something new is happening in my city and it may be happening in yours. Educated female drivers are disappearing. Women drivers speed, tailgate, cut off other people, run stop signs, pass unsafely, and talk on cell phones. Driving habits like these are a hazard to passengers and everyone else on the road.
Since 1990, aggressive driving has increased seven percent a year, according to the Automobile Association for the Study of Traffic. Male drivers used to be the most aggressive, but things have changed. Women drivers are transitioning from risk-taking to road rage. A report in the “William and Mary Journal of Women and the Law” notes that “women’s share of non-fatal accidents in 2000 was greater than that of men.” The report’s title: “Soccer Moms and Road Fans: Remedies to Curb Aggressive Driving.”
RoadRagers.com has studied driving styles and compares them by gender in a 2004 report. Responses from the 11,120 study participants point to some alarming trends:
* 72.8% of female drivers said they had followed another driver to speed up
* 80.4% of female drivers said they use obscene gestures with other drivers
* 71.7% of female drivers said they honk their horn to show their irritation with other drivers
The Cincinnati, Ohio Police Department (Precinct 2) has posted a traffic violence report on its website. Based on information from the American Automobile Association, it says that traffic violations (speeding, vehicle following, lack of signage, reckless driving) often lead to road rage. Being late is the number one reason for road rage and this seems to be the case in my city. Apparently, being on time is more important than being alive.
The Massachusetts College of Emergency Room Physicians (MACEP) has posted information about road rage on its website, “Road Rage – Life in the Aggressive Lane.” According to MACEP, the aggressive driver is usually an “ordinary citizen with no history of crime, violence, or illegal drug use.” MACEP asks drivers to manage their stress to avoid violent reactions.
How can you curb aggressive driving and prevent road rage? These suggestions come from MACEP and my decades of experience as a driver.
1. Allow more travel time so things like not finding a parking space don’t become a problem.
2. Leave at another time to avoid congestion, traffic jams, and in my city, coal trains.
3. Set passenger rules for your kids: wear your seat belt, don’t yell, hit or listen to loud music. Enforce these rules and stop the car if necessary.
4. For a more comfortable ride, add a seat cushion, adjust the air conditioning or heating, and keep drinks within easy reach.
5. Get a good night’s sleep. Sleep deprived drivers can become highway troublemakers.
6. Do some relaxation exercises. Stretch your legs, arms, fingers and take a deep breath.
7. Ask someone else to drive if you’re angry or upset.
8. Learn to laugh at driving situations and at yourself.
Copyright 2006 by Harriet Hodgson
