Robert Hull, Utah Department of Transportation Director of Traf and Safety focuses this month on Aggressive driving on Studio 5.
Aggressive Driving vs. Road Rage
• There is a difference
Aggressive driving is a traffic offense; road rage is a criminal offense.
Road Rage
• Road rage is defined as “an assault with a motor vehicle or other dangerous weapon by the operator or passenger(s) of another motor vehicle or an assault precipitated by an incident that occurred on a roadway.”
• Road rage requires willful and wanton disregard for the safety of others.
Aggressive driving means operating a vehicle in a way that endangers or is likely to endanger people or property. Most behaviors associated with aggressive driving are illegal.
* Speeding
* Running red lights
* Failure to yield
* Tailgating
* Weaving
• Speed reduces a driver’s ability to steer safely around curves or objects in the roadway, and extends the distance needed to safely stop a vehicle.
• Speed-related crashes are 3 times more likely to be fatal.
2006 |
2006 | 2007 |
Non-injury Crashes |
4585 | 5465 |
Injury Crashes |
2217 | 2344 |
Fatal Crashes |
52 | 63 |
Total |
6854 | 7872 |
Percent of All Crashes |
12.2% | 13.5% |
PREVENTION TIPS:
• Relax. Tune the radio to your favorite relaxing music. Music can calm your nerves and help you to enjoy your time in the car.
• Drive the Posted Speed Limit. Fewer crashes occur when vehicles are traveling at or about the same speed.
• Identify Alternate Routes. Try mapping out an alternate route. Even if it looks longer on paper, you may find it is less congested.
• Use Public Transportation. Public transportation can give you some much-needed relief from life behind the wheel.
• Just be Late. If all else fails, just be late.
More information regarding Zero Fatalities can be found by visiting: www.zerofatalities.com
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