AGGRESSIVE DRIVERS: DEATH AT THE WHEEL
It's rush hour in Washington,
DC, when a 26-year-old man heads to work on Capitol Hill. Rushing to get there
on time he quickly becomes frustrated with another driver who he believes is
going too slow. Disgusted and angry, the young man decides to cut off the other
driver. Eventually both drivers, in a fit of rage, decide to chase each other
for more than eight miles at an average speed of 80 mph until they both hurtle
over the median into oncoming traffic. The young man is killed instantly while
the other driver suffers serious internal injuries. Innocent victims of the
accident are a 41-year-old woman and a 49-year-old man. Both are killed.
We
might think situations such as these are extremely uncommon, however, more and
more road rage accidents are being reported throughout the country. This particular
scenario was an actual incident that occurred on the George Washington Parkway.
You may be asking yourself, what could possibly explain such behavior? One factor may be that there are simply too many people crowded onto too few miles of roadway. The number of vehicle miles driven each year is up 35 percent from ten years ago. Another factor receiving significant attention is anger and stress build-up. In today's fast paced information age it is easy to find oneself feeling overwhelmed as if there is too much to do in too little time. The gradual build-up of stress in our day to day lives can eventually reach uncomfortable levels. If we are unable to find ways to release this stress it eventually find its own way out. Often it takes only one tiny incident to trigger the release of repressed emotions. Traffic, inconsiderate drivers and numerous other roadway obstacles can become easy excuses for people to express their feelings.
Recent evaluations of driving accidents over the past few years have shown that a majority of these incidents are caused by drivers who have simply had a bad day, climbed into a car, and took out their frustrations on someone else. A study of roadway fatalities during the first quarter of 1995 showed that traffic fatalities in Maryland increased by more than 33 percent from the same period a year ago. State police concluded the deaths were triggered by ordinary incidents of aggression and recklessness. Psychologists who study anger and aggression extensively believe that having access to the size and speed of a car may make people feel more powerful than they do when they are seething with anger at having to wait in long lines at the bank or the market.
There are several things we can do to steer clear of the danger of aggressive driving. First and foremost is to understand the dangers of getting behind the wheel when you are feeling angry. It is becoming increasingly clear that starting a confrontation on the road can turn deadly. Do not underestimate the rage and the general rudeness on the roads today or you may become an easy target for a person who has had a bad day. Second, make an effort to take care of yourself emotionally by finding healthy ways to release pent-up feelings. Not only will it help you to avoid a confrontation on the road, it will also keep you healthier, physically and emotionally, by reducing the amount of stress your body experiences. Find private time for yourself and/or get involved in an exercise program of some kind. It is important to be aware of your stress level and understand what things help to calm you down. Finally, make an effort to slow down! Remind yourself that losing a few minutes to a driver who cuts you off is better than losing days or weeks recovering from a crash. Practicing good time management is another technique that can help slow you down and reduce stress levels. Avoid scheduling meetings or appointments too close to one another. Allow yourself ample time to prepare for a meeting or to take a trip.
If you would like more information about this subject or you would like to discuss healthy ways to manage stress please contact the Civilian Employee Assistance Program Counseling & Referral Service (CEAP C/RS) at (202) 433-0087 or outside the local dialing area you may use 1-800-995-9791. Our counselor would be happy to talk with you about this issue, as well as provide practical advice on how to lead a healthier and less stressful lifestyle.