Driver Education
Aggressive Driving Unit
Aggressive Driving 2002 - ISBOE
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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.

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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.
Drag Racing
8.
Speeding - In School & Construction Zones
9.
Improper U-Turn
10.
Failure To Signal
11.
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.
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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.
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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.
3.
4.
5.
6.
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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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
1.
Chasing in a duel.
2.
Driving drunk.
3.
Pointing a gun or shooting.
4.
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.
Being Detained (When Others Drive Too slowly)
3.
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 Driver’s Motives.
Mood Effects - AAA Study:
Identified Unsafe Driver’s 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
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Create a relaxing environment with music.
Remind yourself that you can’t 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.
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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.
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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
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Listen to the comments later & note how you
are really acting or thinking while driving.
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Ask others to comment on your driving
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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
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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 what’s really important in life.
Save your energy and your life-for something
really important.
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Summary
Emotional Challenges
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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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