Faddis and Faddis

Safety on the Road

Putting the Brakes On Road Rage

Curbing road rage could help you and other drivers be safe behind the wheel.  Road Rage occurs when people lose their tempers and then drive aggressively, cutting into lanes, tailgating, speeding or honking. According to a recent survey, the behavior is often caused by traffic problems, construction and people being in a rush, but many also say other motorists are to blame. In fact, survey respondents said road rage was most frequently caused by another person’s bad or careless driving.

Which cities have the angriest drivers? According to the fourth annual In the Driver’s Seat Road Rage Survey commissioned by AutoVantage, a leading national auto club, drivers in The Big Apple tend to be the most ticked off. They’re followed by motorists in Dallas/Fort Worth, Detroit, Atlanta and Minneapolis/St. Paul. This year, New York City unseated Miami, which was 2008’s least-courteous locale. The most courteous cities for drivers were Portland, Cleveland, Baltimore, Sacramento and Pittsburg.

Respondents said the behaviors that make them angriest include:

• Drivers who talk on their cell phones (84 percent see this everyday)
• Driving too fast (58 percent)
• Tailgating (53 percent)
• Drivers eating or drinking while driving (48 percent)
• Texting or e-mailing while driving (37 percent)

Steering Clear Of Road Rage

You might quell your own road rage by following a few tips from the experts:

• Give yourself plenty of time to reach your destination.
• Listen to traffic reports and avoid congested areas.
• Avoid confronting other drivers, even if you feel you’ve been wronged.

When it comes to preventing road rage in other drivers, be sure to follow the rules of the road. Avoid speeding and aggressive driving and allow other vehicles to merge with traffic.