NCJ Number
197754
Date Published
September 2001
Length
32 pages
Annotation
Addressing the problem of aggressive driving, this action guide composed by the Aggressive Driving Implementation Team suggests recommended action strategies to solve various problems associated with reckless driving.
Abstract
This action guide, designed by the Aggressive Driving Implementation Team (ADIT), discusses problems associated with reckless, aggressive driving. Following an executive summary, this report describes one of the missions of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) as creating the ADIT in order to develop a National Aggressive Driving Action Guide. Arguing that a 1999 telephone survey indicated that over 60 percent of respondents perceived unsafe driving by others as a personal threat to themselves and their families, more than half of the 6,000 individuals surveyed admitted to driving recklessly themselves. Characterizing high-risk aggressive drivers as people who drive impaired, speed, and drive without seatbelts, this report further describes aggressive drivers as “Type A” personalities with high levels of competitiveness, time urgency, irritation, and hostility. Aggressive drivers are said to be more likely to run stop signs, disobey red lights, speed, tailgate, weave in and out of traffic, pass on the right, make unsafe lane changes, flash their lights, blow their horns, and use threatening hand and facial gestures. Hoping to increase the awareness of the dangers associated with aggressive driving, this guide recommends changes in six areas to solve reckless driving problems through stronger laws, enhanced law enforcement, and increased follow-up by prosecutors and judges. Recommendations for various statutory strategies to be implemented by State legislators are followed by a series of proposed changes for law enforcement agencies, transportation officials, State highway safety representatives, traffic safety advocates, technology developers, and automobile makers. Addressing State and local officials, State highway officer criminal justice practitioners, highway safety advocacy groups, and private industry, this guide suggests increasing the use of applied technologies related to improving traffic safety and enforcement. Recommendations on ways to make aggressive driving a crime are followed by recommendations stressing the importance of criminal sanctions for aggressive driving violations. Last, this guide recommends the importance of community support and partnerships to increase awareness of the risks of aggressive driving. Following the conclusion, this guide acknowledges the members of the ADIT and lists a series of resources used in this report.