Most of us know it when we see it, but National Highway Traffic Saftey Admininstration (NHTSA),
defines aggressive driving as occurring when "an individual commits a
combination of moving traffic offenses so as to endanger other persons or
property". Drivers who engage in aggressive driving tend to let their
stress or frustration out on the other motorists. In 2009 the AAA Foundation
for Traffic Safety reported that, “[a] total of 119,475 people were killed in
crashes involving potentially-aggressive actions".
119,000 people died from road rage in 2009? Wow, those
numbers are staggering!
Today I was on my way home from the store and this
car flew by me, cut me off and almost swerved into the side walk. All in a
matter of seconds I noticed that the driver was using the cell phone while committing
this heinous act of careless driving. I felt a bit of rage stir inside me, took
a breath and let it go, so I can keep my driving ‘safe’ to the other commuters
around me.
Road rage can be a common factor for almost every person
driving, had I been in the wrong state of mind, I probably would of chased them
down and shook my fist at them with the “your my number one fan” gesture on my
finger. ;)
So here are my words of wisdom to my fellow drivers
out there: Remember that we are powerless over the actions of others but we
have complete power of our own actions while driving.
I don’t always drive a car, but when I do I drive
safe my friends!