AAA: 8 Out Of 10 Drivers Experience Aggression Behind The Wheel
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) — Do most drivers engage in some kind of road rage?
The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety says nearly 8 out of 10 U.S. drivers it surveyed admit expressing anger, aggression or road rage at least once in the previous year. That includes either following too closely, yelling at another driver, cutting them off or making angry gestures.
And an estimated 8 million drivers engaged in more extreme behavior that might be considered "road rage," including bumping or ramming a vehicle on purpose or getting out of their cars to confront another driver.
Fifty-one percent of respondents also said they purposefully tailgated, while 47 percent of people said they yelled at another driver, CBS2's Jamie Yuccas reported. Another 45 percent admitted to honking at other drivers.
"I think we're surprised at how often it's occurring, and to tell you the truth we look at these numbers and people tend to under report," Tamra Johnson, of AAA, said.
For example: One driver in Florida ran over another man on a motorcycle after an argument in Florida, breaking his leg. In Colorado, a motorcyclist shot at a couple's car after being cut off.
According to the survey, 90 percent of drivers saw aggressive driving as a serious threat to their personal safety.
"I think it just creates a hectic and hazardous situation for other drivers," driver Levani Zazadze said.
But sometimes, it can be really tempting to lose your cool while behind the wheel.
"We had someone cut us off over three lanes of traffic this morning to get over to an exit they were too lazy to just get in line for," driver Stacy Bertolino said.
Driver Javier told 1010 WINS' John Montone the aggressive behavior on the road comes from being in a rush.
"People do drive very crazy, it's insane," he said. "It's like having a weapon."
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates two-thirds of crash deaths involve aggressive driving, CBS2's Ali Bauman reported.
Sociologists say they're not surprised that the most aggressive and aggrieved drivers are young men ages 19 to 39. And male drivers are three times more likely than women to have gotten out of a car to confront another driver or rammed another vehicle on purpose.
Drivers from the northeast were significantly more likely to yell, honk, or gesture angrily than drivers in other parts of the country.
"We are very hard pressed here because of our old infrastructure in this area, and also because we are so crowded," Sinclair said.
The survey was conducted in 2014, but its results are just now being released.
AAA says to never cause another driver to change their speed or direction and to be tolerant -- you never know what kind of day another driver may be having.
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