Close to 60% of all deadly car crashes include behaviors where at least one individual is acting aggressively while driving. According to some of the most recent analyses from AAA, speeding is involved in about one out of three fatal crashes.
When it comes to aggressive driving, in AAA’s safety index, eighty percent of people involved in a phone interview stated that aggressive drivers were the main culprits involved in highly serious vehicle accidents.
Although, according to that very survey, many individuals admitted to ways of driving that could be construed as aggressive, but are rarely deadly. For instance, 50% of drivers admitted to speeding up to 15 mph or more, especially on major streets and freeways in the past month.
Another 15% admitted to driving faster than the 15 mph posted limit in neighborhoods. The conclusion is that many engage in this level of aggressive driving, with the understanding that it is wrong, but engage in it anyway.
Most drivers automatically blame the other driver in the incident is to blame, i.e., the one who takes part in tailgating, screaming obscenities, etc. The AAA president, Peter Kissinger, claims that aggressive driving is a huge culprit in crashes, deaths, and injuries. Even good drivers may be guilty of aggressive driving including refusal to yield, speeding, driving on the shoulder, and not letting others pass.
The reason the organization takes pains to mention these staggering figures is to educate individuals about the potentially deadly implications involved in aggressive driving. Awareness is the first step in reducing those behaviors. Each motorist needs to ask him or herself the following question: is my behavior while driving potentially causing a dangerous situation?
By becoming aware and driving slowly to allow someone to pass, the driver has taken the first step towards helping to solve the problem. One potentially violent action can easily create another, so it is vital for drivers to properly assess their particular driving ethics and make changes accordingly.
People who do not otherwise drive aggressively may find themselves behaving badly behind the wheel when stress rises. The stress may come from other parts of the driver’s life or even from the road, due to traffic congestion, rushing to make an appointment, or delays from road construction. Drivers who seek to control the behavior of other drivers are very likely to drive aggressively.
These statistics come from the National Traffic Safety Administration (NTSA) Fatality Analysis Reporting System. The goal is to collect information including the driver’s particular temperament at the time of the crash along with any other information that may help identify risk factors for driving.
If you were seriously injured by an aggressive driver, contact our office for a free consultation and evaluation of your case. You may be able to file a claim for damages to cover your medical expenses, lost wages or other costs stemming from the accident.
