DAYTON, OH – Nearly 80% of drivers expressed anger, aggression or road range behind the wheel at least once in the past year, according to data gathered by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. Speeding tops the list, with men being the biggest culprit, though women are not far behind. With everyday stress already compounded by the pandemic and now the holiday season, which can elevate tensions on the road, AAA urges motorists to keep their cool and avoid dangerous driving habits.

“Speeding, red-light running, and cutting other drivers off can kill you, your passengers, and others sharing the road,” said Pat Brown, AAA Driving School Supervisor. “Driving aggressively isn’t worth the risk. When you get behind the wheel, be patient, be kind, and obey traffic laws so everyone gets home safely.”

Low Traffic and High Speeds on Ohio’s Roads:

Ohio’s traffic counts bottomed out at 49% in April compared to last year, and since the last week of June have stayed consistently around about 15% below last year’s numbers, according to the Ohio Department of Transportation. Despite this, Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) statistics show an increase in the number of fatal crashes on Ohio’s roads this year.

OSHP reports the top contributing circumstances for fatal crashes are failure to yield, speed, impaired driving and failure to utilize safety belts.  Data from OSHP also shows nearly a 46% increase in citations issued for speeds 100+ mph, along with an 8% increase in speed-related fatalities between mid-March and mid-November.

“It’s important for motorists to pay attention to the road because many factors can result in devastating consequences,” said Colonel Richard S. Fambro, superintendent of OSHP. “That is why it is important for drivers to always drive at safe speeds, utilize safety belts, keep their focus on the road, and never drive impaired.”

Aggressive Driving Data:

AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety’s recent study confirms the perception that men tend to speed, tailgate, merge dangerously, and make rude gestures or honk at other drivers more than women. The survey finds that women also admit to some dangerous driving habits, such as running red lights. Overall, younger male and female drivers tend to be more aggressive than older drivers.

Aggressive Driving Behaviors among Male and Female U.S. Drivers                                               

2019 Data	Male	Female
Drove 15 mph over the speed limit on a freeway	52.0%	44.6%
Followed the vehicle in front closely to prevent another vehicle from merging	37.8%	29.3%
Made rude gesture/honked at another driver	35.4%	28%
Drove through a red light	32.2%	30.0%
Drove aggressively by switching lanes quickly and/or very close behind another car	31.5%	21.4%

AAA Rules of the Road:

Contrary to common perception, speeding does not save time on the road. The average amount saved on a five-mile trip, driving 65 mph on a 45 mph posted road, is only 1.9 minutes. AAA encourages drivers to slow down and follow these important rules of the road:

• Follow posted speed limits.
• Maintain an adequate following distance.
• Use turn signals.
• Allow others to merge.
• Use your high beams responsibly.
• Be considerate in parking lots—Park in one spot, not across multiple spaces. Be careful not to hit cars next to you with your door.

A driver may be stressed or react wrongly to another driver’s action on any given day, and the holidays can add to the strain and anxiety. Introduce the pressures and concerns tied to a global pandemic and even the calmest, most safety-conscious drivers can find themselves frustrated by other motorists.

“If you encounter an aggressive driver on the road or find your temper rising, remember to slow yourself down, breathe deeply, and safely create distance between you and other motorists. Aggressive drivers are likely not thinking about their potential impact on others until it is too late,” added Brown.

 AAA offers these tips to help drivers manage aggressive driving scenarios:   

•           Don’t Offend: Never cause another driver to change their speed or direction. That means not forcing another driver to use their brakes or turn the steering wheel in response to something you have done.

•           Be Tolerant and Forgiving: The other driver may just be having a really bad day. Assume that it’s not personal.

•           Do Not Respond: Avoid eye contact, don’t make gestures, maintain space around your vehicle, and contact 9-1-1 if needed.

For more information, visit www.aaa.com/preventroadrage.

AAA provides automotive, travel, and insurance services to 58 million members nationwide and more than three million members in Ohio.  AAA advocates for the safety and mobility of its members and has been committed to outstanding road service for more than 100 years.  AAA is a non-stock, non-profit corporation working on behalf of motorists, who can now map a route, find local gas prices, discover discounts, book a hotel, and track their roadside assistance service with the AAA Mobile app (AAA.com/mobile) for iPhone, iPad and Android.  For more information, visit www.AAA.com.