MODULE 3

Required amount of time to complete: Minimum of 10 minutes DRIVING SAFELY AND RESPONSIBLY

AGGRESSIVE DRIVING

Aggressive Driving has progressively increased during the last decade, sometimes resulting in confrontations between motorists that have led to serious injury and even death. Violent traffic disputes are usually not the result of a single incident, but rather seem to be from personal attitudes and accumulated stress. It is estimated that for every incident of aggressive driving reported to the police, there are hundreds or even thousands that go unreported. The United States news media initially reported all cases of

Aggressive Driving as Road Rage. However, there are really three separate components of the final act of Road Rage. The first step is called Road Negativity. Road Negativity is a negative response to being confined in the space of a motor vehicle while being subjected to the stresses of driving. Drivers are more inclined to negative thoughts and feelings. They are predisposed to yelling at a spouse, or partner, screaming at, or hitting, the child passengers. Such over-reacting can be evoked by a variety of stimuli that include feeling criticized for the manner of driving, children quarreling, whining, or complaining. Driver's predisposed to becoming angry are more easily provoked by another driver. The next step to Road Rage is the act of Aggressive Driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration defines Aggressive Driving as operating a vehicle in a way that endangers or is likely to endanger people or property. Aggressive Driving in most states is not a criminal act, but falls under the guidelines of civil infractions. The final act is Road Rage. Road Rage is an extreme act of Aggressive Driving that involves a deliberate attempt to harm people or property. Road Rage usually involves a criminal act. Road rage is not the same as aggressive driving. Drivers enraged by driving situations or aggressive driving become confrontational and commit or attempt to commit a violent criminal act such as attacking another driver, beating on another driver's car or firing a weapon. They may also threaten, intimidate or harass others. Aggressive driving can escalate into road rage.

While driving, you will be able to identify aggressive drivers by looking for the same driving behaviors police officers watch for, such as excessive speed, unsafe lane changes, failing to signal a lane change and tailgating. Aggressive drivers have also been known to blast their vehicle's horn and make rude gestures to other drivers.

Aggressive Driving Quiz Many drivers never considered themselves as aggressive. Take this standardized self-quiz to see how you rate as a driver. Avoid blocking passing lanes? Keep to the right as much as possible?

Use the headlights in rain, fog, smoke or snow conditions? Yield to pedestrians? Provide appropriate distance when returning to the right lane after passing a vehicle? Overtake others only on the left? Yield to faster traffic by moving to the right? Maintain appropriate distance when following others? Make slow, deliberate U-turns? Drive at posted speeds, in the proper lanes, using non-aggressive lane changing behaviors? Come to a complete stop at all stop signs, even if just turning right? Refrain from flashing headlights to signal a desire to pass the vehicle ahead? Stop at all red traffic lights, and never try to beat the light? Move to the right and stop for all emergency vehicles? Follow the right-of-way rules at four way stops? Always lower high beams as soon as an oncoming vehicle appears? Drive below the posted speed limits when conditions are poor? Use horn only in emergency situations? Maintain speeds appropriate for the conditions, but never exceed the posted speed limit? Acknowledge intentions of other drivers? Use vehicle turn signals for all turns and lane changes? Maintain proper speeds around roadway crashes? Stop so you can see the rear wheels of the car ahead of you? Avoid returning inappropriate gestures? Always use your safety belt and insist on all passengers doing the same? Try to get out of the way of others in a hurry as soon as it is safe to do so? Avoid changing lanes even if the lane you are in seems to be going slower at the time? Refuse to use High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes even momentarily to pass others? Stay at least two seconds behind the driver ahead of you?

Focus on driving and avoid distracting activities (e.g., smoking, use of a cell phone, reading, shaving)? Refrain from hand gestures or yelling to reduce stress? Avoid driving while drowsy? Avoid crossing a solid yellow line on the side no matter how slow the vehicle ahead is traveling? Avoid blocking the right hand turn lane? Avoid driving while upset? Avoid stopping in the middle of an intersection when making a left turn to wait for an opportunity to complete the turn? Avoid inflicting loud radio noise on other cars? Avoid taking more than one parking space? Avoid stopping in the roadway to talk to a pedestrian or other driver? Avoid using cell phone while driving? If you have 1 to 3 NO answers, you are a good non-aggressive driver. If you have 4 to 7 NO answers, you are a good driver, but falling into some bad habits. If you had over 7 NO answers, you are most likely an aggressive driver at times and may want to consider when you drive aggressively.

On the Road to Road Rage: Below are 20 items listed in escalating degrees of driver hostility, beginning with milder forms of aggression (step 1) and going all the way to ultimate violence (step 20). How far down the uncivilized road will you allow yourself to go when you are behind the wheel? Take this self-exam and determine if you fit into a zone of aggressiveness. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. Mentally condemning other drivers. Verbally denigrating other drivers to a passenger in your vehicle. Closing ranks to deny someone entering your lane because you're frustrated or upset. Giving another driver the "stink eye" to show your disproval. Speeding past another car or revving up the engine as a sign of protest. Preventing another driver from passing because you're mad. Tailgating to pressure a driver to go faster or get out of the way. Fantasizing physical violence against another driver. Honking or yelling at someone through the window to indicate displeasure. Making a visible obscene gesture at another driver. Using your car to retaliate by making sudden, threatening maneuvers. Pursuing another car in chase because of a provocation or insult. Getting out of the car and engaging in a verbal dispute, on a street or parking lot. Carrying a weapon in the car in case you decide to use it in a driving incident. Deliberately bumping or ramming another car in anger. Trying to run another car off the road to punish the driver. Getting out of the car and beating or battering someone as a result of a road exchange. Trying to run someone down whose actions angered you. Shooting at another car.

20. Killing someone.

Which zone are you in? Unfriendly Zone: steps 1 to 3 Hostile Zone: steps 4 to 7 Violent Zone: steps 8 to 11 Lesser Mayhem Zone: steps 12 to 16 Major Mayhem Zone: steps 17 to 20 NTSI urges drivers to be aware of potentially dangerous or competitive situations and to avoid them. You should: Click on the answers below that you believe may help you prevent an incident of aggressive driving.

Never drive when under extreme stress Pay attention to your driving Avoid eye contact with an aggressive driver Move to another lane Turn onto another street Do not react to provocation Stay away from drivers behaving erratically Never scream at other drivers Never use hand gestures toward others Call the police

All of these are good strategies for avoiding aggressive drivers. Many otherwise peaceful citizens become enraged road warriors when they get behind the steering wheel. You never know what is going on in the life of the other driver. Your own driving behavior and action, right or wrong, may be the breaking point for that person and they react to your provocation. Do not fall victim to this situation. If you find yourself becoming aggressive, there are ways to help deal with the stress and frustration of driving. Click on the ideas below that might work for you. Get plenty of rest Listen to music that relaxes you Take deep breaths Count to 10 Keep a positive attitude Give additional time for the trip Learn exercises to do while sitting Turn off talk radio if you catch yourself becoming angry Remember others make driving mistakes, but so do you Become a courteous driver

DISTRACTIONS

A major cause of collisions is driver distraction. You can be distracted by something inside the vehicle or you can be distracted by something outside the vehicle. You must realize that it is unsafe to do anything other than driving while driving. Here are some of the top driver distractions:

Outside perso Adjusting rad Other occupa Moving obje Adjusting ve Eating or drin Using a cell p Smoking

Cellular Telephones and Driving

Early studies show that using cell phones while driving raises the risk of having a collision by about four times. Studies show that a driver's reaction time increases by 37% while they are using a cell phone. It is often argued that using a wireless phone while driving is no worse than talking to a passenger. This is not true. A passenger sees what is going on while you are driving. Even in conversation, the passenger can help the driver watch out for traffic hazards. The sudden ringing of the cell phone is unexpected and demanding. Cell phone calls draw the driver's attention away from the driving task more aggressively than other distractions such as eating and drinking, grooming, children and passengers or the radio. It appears that it is not the need to use your hands to use a wireless phone that causes the crash-risk problem, but the driver's inability to focus attention to the driving task. Hands-free cell phones do little to reduce the increased risk.

Texting

Texting has become increasingly popular in the last few years, especially with teens. Studies have shown that texting while driving is nearly as dangerous as driving under the influence. Parents need to model good driving habits and prevent cell phone use while driving. The National Traffic Safety Institute recommends the following for owners of cellular telephones: Allow voice mail to handle all incoming calls Pull off the road to a safe area to make calls. Ask a passenger to make or receive calls. Use a hands-free system. This does not help with the driver attention problem, but at least it allows you to keep two hands on the steering wheel.

Here are some ways to avoid driving while distracted: Stay focused and pay attention! Limit interaction with passengers Avoid talking while driving Avoid taking your eyes off the road Keep both hands on the wheel Don't daydream. Don't drive if you are tired. Share the driving responsibilities on long trips Don't drive when angry or upset. Emotions can interfere with safe driving. Wait until you have cooled down or resolved problems to drive. Avoid "gawking," or slowing down to look at a crash or other activity. If you need to use your cell phone while driving: Pull off the road and stop in a safe place before using your phone.

CRIME PREVENTION

You may not think that crime prevention has anything to do with driving. Yet statistics reveal that motor vehicles many times are involved in crime activity. Here are some ways to avoid and deal with vehicle-related crimes:

Auto Theft: Auto theft is one of the major causes for higher insurance rates. We all pay when insurance companies have to cover losses. Never leave your vehicle unlocked, even for a short period of time. Never leave your keys in the vehicle. Install auto theft alarms, tracking devices and kill switches. Lo-Jack can help police quickly find your stolen vehicle. Keep all the information about your vehicle, such as the tag number and vehicle identification number, somewhere other than the vehicle. It is also a good idea to have a photograph of your vehicle.

Carjacking: Carjacking is on the rise in the United States. You can help prevent it by always keeping your vehicle doors locked. If possible, do not drive alone. When in traffic, leave enough space with the vehicle in front of you so you can drive away if necessary. A good rule to follow is to make sure you can see the rear tires of the vehicle in front of you every time you stop. If possible, carry a cellular telephone and do not hesitate to call the police if someone approaches your vehicle.

Theft from your vehicle: Items left in plain sight in your vehicle are an invitation for theft. Always place items of value in the trunk. Even leaving small amounts of change in your vehicle so it can be seen is an invitation for someone to break into your vehicle.

Unattended children in and around vehicles: Many children die or are injured each year as a result of being left in and around unattended vehicles. The number of young victims increases each year. Leaving the children in the vehicle while you run a quick errand seems like a practical, time-saving idea. But here are some things that could happen, even in just a few minutes: Children left in a vehicle with the keys in the ignition or with the engine running could easily get behind the wheel and shift the vehicle into drive or reverse. An unattended child could crawl into a vehicle's trunk and become trapped. A thief may take the vehicle with your child still in it. A child can easily be kidnapped from a vehicle. On hot days, the temperature inside a parked vehicle is 20 to 40 degrees higher than outside. A child could suffer from heat exhaustion or worse. The child may suffer emotional trauma if left alone.

It is usually a crime to endanger the life of a child or to inflict physical pain or mental suffering. For example, you may have heard of Kaitlyn Russell, a six-month-old girl who died as a result of being left by her babysitter in an unattended van.

Assaults in a parking lot: Check under the vehicle as you approach to be sure that someone is not hiding under the vehicle. Check your vehicle's interior before entering. It's a good idea to carry a small flashlight so you can do these checks at night. When pulling into a parking lot, keep your doors locked until you believe it is safe to get out of your vehicle. Try to park in well-lit areas.

MODULE 3

Required amount of time to complete: Minimum of 10 minutes DRIVING SAFELY AND RESPONSIBLY

AGGRESSIVE DRIVING

Aggressive Driving has progressively increased during the last decade, sometimes resulting in confrontations between motorists that have led to serious injury and even death. Violent traffic disputes are usually not the result of a single incident, but rather seem to be from personal attitudes and accumulated stress. It is estimated that for every incident of aggressive driving reported to the police, there are hundreds or even thousands that go unreported. The United States news media initially reported all cases of Aggressive Driving as Road Rage. However, there are really three separate components of the final act of Road Rage. The first step is called Road Negativity. Road Negativity is a negative response to being confined in the space of a motor vehicle while being subjected to the stresses of driving. Drivers are more inclined to negative thoughts and feelings. They are predisposed to yelling at a spouse, or partner, screaming at, or hitting, the child passengers. Such over-reacting can be evoked by a variety of stimuli that include feeling criticized for the manner of driving, children quarreling, whining, or complaining. Driver's predisposed to becoming angry are more easily provoked by another driver.

The next step to Road Rage is the act of Aggressive Driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration defines Aggressive Driving as operating a vehicle in a way that endangers or is likely to endanger people or property. Aggressive Driving in most states is not a criminal act, but falls under the guidelines of civil infractions. The final act is Road Rage. Road Rage is an extreme act of Aggressive Driving that involves a deliberate attempt to harm people or property. Road Rage usually involves a criminal act. Road rage is not the same as aggressive driving. Drivers enraged by driving situations or aggressive driving become confrontational and commit or attempt to commit a violent criminal act such as attacking another driver, beating on another driver's car or firing a weapon. They may also threaten, intimidate or harass others. Aggressive driving can escalate into road rage.

While driving, you will be able to identify aggressive drivers by looking for the same driving behaviors police officers watch for, such as excessive speed, unsafe lane changes, failing to signal a lane change and

tailgating. Aggressive drivers have also been known to blast their vehicle's horn and make rude gestures to other drivers.

Aggressive Driving Quiz Many drivers never considered themselves as aggressive. Take this standardized self-quiz to see how you rate as a driver. Avoid blocking passing lanes? Keep to the right as much as possible? Use the headlights in rain, fog, smoke or snow conditions? Yield to pedestrians? Provide appropriate distance when returning to the right lane after passing a vehicle? Overtake others only on the left? Yield to faster traffic by moving to the right? Maintain appropriate distance when following others? Make slow, deliberate U-turns? Drive at posted speeds, in the proper lanes, using non-aggressive lane changing behaviors? Come to a complete stop at all stop signs, even if just turning right? Refrain from flashing headlights to signal a desire to pass the vehicle ahead? Stop at all red traffic lights, and never try to beat the light? Move to the right and stop for all emergency vehicles? Follow the right-of-way rules at four way stops? Always lower high beams as soon as an oncoming vehicle appears? Drive below the posted speed limits when conditions are poor? Use horn only in emergency situations? Maintain speeds appropriate for the conditions, but never exceed the posted speed limit? Acknowledge intentions of other drivers? Use vehicle turn signals for all turns and lane changes? Maintain proper speeds around roadway crashes? Stop so you can see the rear wheels of the car ahead of you?

Avoid returning inappropriate gestures? Always use your safety belt and insist on all passengers doing the same? Try to get out of the way of others in a hurry as soon as it is safe to do so? Avoid changing lanes even if the lane you are in seems to be going slower at the time? Refuse to use High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes even momentarily to pass others? Stay at least two seconds behind the driver ahead of you? Focus on driving and avoid distracting activities (e.g., smoking, use of a cell phone, reading, shaving)? Refrain from hand gestures or yelling to reduce stress? Avoid driving while drowsy? Avoid crossing a solid yellow line on the side no matter how slow the vehicle ahead is traveling? Avoid blocking the right hand turn lane? Avoid driving while upset? Avoid stopping in the middle of an intersection when making a left turn to wait for an opportunity to complete the turn? Avoid inflicting loud radio noise on other cars? Avoid taking more than one parking space? Avoid stopping in the roadway to talk to a pedestrian or other driver? Avoid using cell phone while driving? If you have 1 to 3 NO answers, you are a good non-aggressive driver. If you have 4 to 7 NO answers, you are a good driver, but falling into some bad habits. If you had over 7 NO answers, you are most likely an aggressive driver at times and may want to consider when you drive aggressively.

On the Road to Road Rage: Below are 20 items listed in escalating degrees of driver hostility, beginning with milder forms of aggression (step 1) and going all the way to ultimate violence (step 20). How far down the uncivilized road will you allow yourself to go when you are behind the wheel? Take this self-exam and determine if you fit into a zone of aggressiveness. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Mentally condemning other drivers. Verbally denigrating other drivers to a passenger in your vehicle. Closing ranks to deny someone entering your lane because you're frustrated or upset. Giving another driver the "stink eye" to show your disproval. Speeding past another car or revving up the engine as a sign of protest. Preventing another driver from passing because you're mad. Tailgating to pressure a driver to go faster or get out of the way.

8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20.

Fantasizing physical violence against another driver. Honking or yelling at someone through the window to indicate displeasure. Making a visible obscene gesture at another driver. Using your car to retaliate by making sudden, threatening maneuvers. Pursuing another car in chase because of a provocation or insult. Getting out of the car and engaging in a verbal dispute, on a street or parking lot. Carrying a weapon in the car in case you decide to use it in a driving incident. Deliberately bumping or ramming another car in anger. Trying to run another car off the road to punish the driver. Getting out of the car and beating or battering someone as a result of a road exchange. Trying to run someone down whose actions angered you. Shooting at another car. Killing someone.

Which zone are you in? Unfriendly Zone: steps 1 to 3 Hostile Zone: steps 4 to 7 Violent Zone: steps 8 to 11 Lesser Mayhem Zone: steps 12 to 16 Major Mayhem Zone: steps 17 to 20 NTSI urges drivers to be aware of potentially dangerous or competitive situations and to avoid them. You should: Click on the answers below that you believe may help you prevent an incident of aggressive driving.

Never drive when under extreme stress Pay attention to your driving Avoid eye contact with an aggressive driver Move to another lane Turn onto another street Do not react to provocation Stay away from drivers behaving erratically Never scream at other drivers

Never use hand gestures toward others Call the police

All of these are good strategies for avoiding aggressive drivers. Many otherwise peaceful citizens become enraged road warriors when they get behind the steering wheel. You never know what is going on in the life of the other driver. Your own driving behavior and action, right or wrong, may be the breaking point for that person and they react to your provocation. Do not fall victim to this situation. If you find yourself becoming aggressive, there are ways to help deal with the stress and frustration of driving. Click on the ideas below that might work for you. Get plenty of rest Listen to music that relaxes you Take deep breaths Count to 10 Keep a positive attitude Give additional time for the trip Learn exercises to do while sitting Turn off talk radio if you catch yourself becoming angry Remember others make driving mistakes, but so do you Become a courteous driver

DISTRACTIONS A major cause of collisions is driver distraction. You can be distracted by something inside the vehicle or you can be distracted by something outside the vehicle. You must realize that it is unsafe to do anything other than driving while driving. Here are some of the top driver distractions:

Outside perso Adjusting rad Other occupa Moving obje Adjusting ve Eating or drin Using a cell p Smoking

Cellular Telephones and Driving

Early studies show that using cell phones while driving raises the risk of having a collision by about four times. Studies show that a driver's reaction time increases by 37% while they are using a cell phone. It is often argued that using a wireless phone while driving is no worse than talking to a passenger. This is not true. A passenger sees what is going on while you are driving. Even in conversation, the passenger can help the driver watch out for traffic hazards. The sudden ringing of the cell phone is unexpected and demanding. Cell phone calls draw the driver's attention away from the driving task more aggressively than other distractions such as eating and drinking, grooming, children and passengers or the radio. It appears that it is not the need to use your hands to use a wireless phone that causes the crash-risk problem, but the driver's inability to focus attention to the driving task. Hands-free cell phones do little to reduce the increased risk.

Texting

Texting has become increasingly popular in the last few years, especially with teens. Studies have shown that texting while driving is nearly as dangerous as driving under the influence. Parents need to model good driving habits and prevent cell phone use while driving. The National Traffic Safety Institute recommends the following for owners of cellular telephones: Allow voice mail to handle all incoming calls Pull off the road to a safe area to make calls. Ask a passenger to make or receive calls. Use a hands-free system. This does not help with the driver attention problem, but at least it allows you to keep two hands on the steering wheel.

Here are some ways to avoid driving while distracted: Stay focused and pay attention! Limit interaction with passengers Avoid talking while driving Avoid taking your eyes off the road Keep both hands on the wheel Don't daydream. Don't drive if you are tired. Share the driving responsibilities on long trips Don't drive when angry or upset. Emotions can interfere with safe driving. Wait until you have cooled down or resolved problems to drive. Avoid "gawking," or slowing down to look at a crash or other activity. If you need to use your cell phone while driving: Pull off the road and stop in a safe place before using your phone.

CRIME PREVENTION

You may not think that crime prevention has anything to do with driving. Yet statistics reveal that motor vehicles many times are involved in crime activity. Here are some ways to avoid and deal with vehicle-related crimes:

Auto Theft: Auto theft is one of the major causes for higher insurance rates. We all pay when insurance companies have to cover losses. Never leave your vehicle unlocked, even for a short period of time. Never leave your keys in the vehicle. Install auto theft alarms, tracking devices and kill switches. Lo-Jack can help police quickly find your stolen vehicle. Keep all the information about your vehicle, such as the tag number and vehicle identification number, somewhere other than the vehicle. It is also a good idea to have a photograph of your vehicle.

Carjacking: Carjacking is on the rise in the United States. You can help prevent it by always keeping your vehicle doors locked. If possible, do not drive alone. When in traffic, leave enough space with the vehicle in front of you so you can drive away if necessary. A good rule to follow is to make sure you can see the rear tires of the vehicle in front of you every time you stop. If possible, carry a cellular telephone and do not hesitate to call the police if someone approaches your vehicle.

Theft from your vehicle: Items left in plain sight in your vehicle are an invitation for theft. Always place items of value in the trunk. Even leaving small amounts of change in your vehicle so it can be seen is an invitation for someone to break into your vehicle.

Unattended children in and around vehicles: Many children die or are injured each year as a result of being left in and around unattended vehicles. The number of young victims increases each year. Leaving the children in the vehicle while you run a quick errand seems like a practical, time-saving idea. But here are some things that could happen, even in just a few minutes: Children left in a vehicle with the keys in the ignition or with the engine running could easily get behind the wheel and shift the vehicle into drive or reverse. An unattended child could crawl into a vehicle's trunk and become trapped. A thief may take the vehicle with your child still in it. A child can easily be kidnapped from a vehicle. On hot days, the temperature inside a parked vehicle is 20 to 40 degrees higher than outside. A child could suffer from heat exhaustion or worse. The child may suffer emotional trauma if left alone.

It is usually a crime to endanger the life of a child or to inflict physical pain or mental suffering. For example, you may have heard of Kaitlyn Russell, a six-month-old girl who died as a result of being left by her babysitter in an unattended van.

Assaults in a parking lot: Check under the vehicle as you approach to be sure that someone is not hiding under the vehicle. Check your vehicle's interior before entering. It's a good idea to carry a small flashlight so you can do these checks at night. When pulling into a parking lot, keep your doors locked until you believe it is safe to get out of your vehicle. Try to park in well-lit areas.