Arrive Alive

Aggressive Driving

What is Aggressive Driving?

Aggressive driving is often demonstrated by drivers who take their anger, resentment and frustration with them behind the wheel. These attitudes can lead to crashes and nasty confrontations. Many instances of this aggressive behaviour involve drivers who cut you off, make unsafe lane changes, speed, follow too closely, run red lights, and disobey traffic signs and signals. Add to that less than ideal picture, the blaring of a horn, angry voices shouting and rude hand gestures. All of these driving patterns can lead to road rage or the kind of highway madness that has drivers engaging in physical fights or using their vehicles to ram other drivers, sometimes forcing them off the road.

How to avoid aggressive driving?

When you find yourself in a stressful driving environment or when your mood makes you irritable and impatient, calm down, take a deep breath and relax. An aggressive state of mind will come through in your driving behaviour and affects your safety and the safety of others. Be courteous, content and considerate. Accept the fact that you're bound to meet all sorts of different drivers on the road. Don't take things personally. Try to follow some simple courteous driving practices:

  • When you merge, make sure you have plenty of room. Always use your turn signal to show your intentions before making a move. If someone cuts you off, slow down and give them room to merge into your lane.
  • If you are in the right lane and someone wants to pass, move over and let them by. You may be "in the left" because you are traveling at the speed limit - but you may also be putting yourself in danger by making drivers behind you angry.
  • Allow at least a two-second space between your car and the car ahead. Drivers may get angry when they are followed too closely. If you feel you are being followed too closely, signal and pull over when safe to do so, allowing the other driver to pass.
  • Use your horn rarely, if ever.
  • Keep your hands on the wheel and avoid making any gestures that might anger another driver. That includes "harmless" expressions of irritation like shaking your head.
  • If another driver is acting angry, don't make eye contact.
  • Give angry drivers lots of room. If another driver tries to pick a fight, put as much distance between you as possible. And, remember "it takes two to tango". One angry driver can't start a fight unless another driver is willing to join in.

Advice provided by the Road Accident Fund [www.raf.co.za]

Also View

Avoiding aggressive driving

10 Point plan to avoid Road Rage

Road Rage in South Africa

South African research on Road Rage

Road Rage – A South African Perspective

Road Rage Article 

Road Rage Study

Faster Vehicles Become Victims of Road Rage

Loading...

Search Road Safety Articles

Latest Pages

Safe Driving in the Dust

Safe Driving in the Dust

Dust is generated by the wind blowing over loose topsoil or sand, picking up so much material that visibility is seriously reduced or by vehicles travelling at speed across it. There are numerous occupational safety, health and environmental hazards and associated risks pertaining to or as a result

Read More

The Health Risks of Exposure to Dust

The Health Risks of Exposure to Dust

First responders come across many situations where dust is present, such as factories, dusty roads, concrete-cutting facilities and even workshops. Dust is found in many places on a job site and can be hazardous to your health a somewhat detailed explanation of these hazards is explained below. The

Read More

Buying Quality Auto Parts and Safety on the Road

Buying Quality Auto Parts and Safety on the Road

On the Arrive Alive website, we emphasize the importance of vehicle roadworthiness and maintenance. The auto parts industry plays a significant role in enabling vehicle owners and mechanics to keep vehicles in roadworthy condition! But what are the risks, pitfalls and advice we need to know when searching

Read More

Toll Roads in South Africa

Toll Roads in South Africa

Why have toll roads? Roads form the main artery of economic competitiveness, growth and social development. To Build roads costs billions of rands. Toll roads assist us in meeting the demands of social services, which are important for the growth of our country. Toll roads accelerate the availability

Read More

Learner drivers: A Guide for parents and learners

Learner drivers: A Guide for parents and learners

While passing a K53 driving test is not the only preparation needed to drive safely on South African roads, it is the only legal requirement to receive a license. It is up to teachers of new drivers to share their experiences to develop their skills. Seasoned drivers need to spend time not just prepping

Read More

Disclaimer

Disclaimer

Please note: You are presently at the website established for the domain name www.arrivealive.co.za. This website is a public-private partnership to enhance awareness of road safety via the internet. The www.arrivealive.co.za website was developed solely with the intention to enhance road safety

Read More

Load More Pages

Partners

View All