Broadcaster Press 9 July 19, 2016 www.broadcasteronline.com Aggressive Driving Is All The Rage Eight Million Drivers Admit to More Extreme Behavior, Says New AAA Foundation Research July 14, 2016 – An alarmingly high number of drivers, nearly eight in 10, admitted to significant anger, aggression or road rage behind the wheel in the past year, according to a study released today by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. The startling findings suggest that approximately eight million U.S. drivers engaged in extreme examples of road rage, including purposefully ramming another vehicle or getting out of the car to confront another driver. “Inconsiderate driving, bad traffic and the daily stresses of life can turn drivers into hotheads on the highway and lead to dangerous road rage,” said Marilyn Buskohl, spokeswoman for AAA South Dakota. “Far too many motorists are losing themselves in the heat of the moment and lashing out in ways that could turn deadly.” In South Dakota in 2014, drivers under 25 years of age represented only 15 percent of the total number of licensed drivers in the state but accounted for 49 percent of all speeding drivers involved in fatal and injury crashes. The South Dakota Department of Public Safety also reports drivers under 35 years of age accounted for more than 68 percent of the speeding drivers involved in these crashes. Tailgating, like speeding, is often a component in aggressive driving incidents. Following too closely was a factor in crashes involving 1,428 drivers in South Dakota in 2014. A significant number of U.S. drivers reported engaging in angry and aggressive behaviors over the past year, according to the study’s estimates: • Purposefully tailgating: 51 percent (104 million drivers) • Yelling at another driver: 47 percent (95 million drivers) • Honking to show annoyance or anger: 45 percent (91 million drivers) • Making angry gestures: 33 percent (67 million drivers) • Trying to block another vehicle from changing lanes: 24 percent (49 million drivers) • Cutting off another vehicle on purpose: 12 percent (24 million drivers) • Getting out of the vehicle to confront another driver: 4 percent (7.6 million drivers) • Bumping or ramming another vehicle on purpose: 3 percent (5.7 million drivers) Nearly 2 in 3 drivers believe that aggressive driving is a bigger problem today than three years ago, while nine out of ten believe aggressive drivers are a serious threat to their personal safety. Aggressive driving and road rage varied considerably among drivers: • Male and younger drivers ages 19-39 were significantly more likely to engage in aggressive behaviors. For example, male drivers were more than three times as likely as female drivers to have gotten out of a vehicle to confront another driver or rammed another vehicle on purpose. • Drivers living in the Northeast were significantly more likely to yell, honk or gesture angrily than people living in other parts of the country. For example, drivers in the Northeast were nearly 30 percent more likely to have made an angry gesture than drivers in other parts of the country. • Drivers who reported other unsafe behaviors behind the wheel, such as speeding and running red lights, also were more likely to show aggression. For example, drivers who reported speeding on a freeway in the past month were four times more likely to have cut off another vehicle on purpose. “Don’t risk escalating a frustrating situation because you never know what the other driver might do,” said Buskohl. “Maintain a cool head and focus on reaching your destination safely.” AAA offers these tips to help prevent road rage: • Don’t Offend: You can protect yourself by avoiding behaviors that can enrage other drivers. Examples include cutting off other drivers, driving slowly in the passing lane, tailgating, not using turn signals, honking horn excessively, and gesturing – whether obscene or not. • Do Not Respond: Refuse to be angry at an aggressive driver. Avoid eye contact, don’t make gestures, and maintain space around your vehicle. If you feel threatened, contact 9-1-1. Drive to a crowded public place such as a shopping center, hospital or police station. • Be Tolerant and Forgiving: The other driver may just be having a really bad day. Assume that it’s not personal. • Adjust Your Attitude – By changing your approach to driving, you can make every trip more pleasant: For too many motorists, driving becomes a contest trying to get to their destination in the shortest possible time, so forget the need to “win the race.” Allow yourself more time for your trip so you don’t feel rushed. Practice relaxation tips such as deep breathing, or listen to soothing music or a book on tape. Also, don’t drive when extremely angry or overtired. If you think you have a problem, seek help; the techniques used in anger management courses can also help angry drivers. • Alter Schedule to Avoid Traffic – If possible, adjust your work schedule so you are not driving during peak commute hours. If this is not possible, then at least avoid driving during high traffic times on your days off. The research report is available on the AAA Foundation’s website and is part of the annual Traffic Safety Culture Index, which identifies attitudes and behaviors related to driver safety. The data was collected from a national survey of 2,705 licensed drivers ages 16 and older who reported driving in the past 30 days. The AAA Foundation issued its first Traffic Safety Culture Index in 2008. National Security Must Be Our Top Priority By Sen. John Thune By now, most Americans have seen in chilling detail what happened late last month in Istanbul, Turkey. A group of terrorists casually walked into one of Ataturk Airport’s public terminals and proceeded to open fire before detonating suicide vests among fleeing travelers. In the wake of this attack, 45 people were left dead, and more than 200 were injured. Although no group has formally claimed responsibility, the Turkish government says all signs point to ISIS. The list of cities outside the Middle East impacted by ISIS-related terrorist attacks is steadily growing: Paris, Brussels, and now Istanbul. While an ocean separated us from the latest attack, Americans have seen radical Islamic terrorism on our shores in San Bernardino, and most recently in Orlando. These attacks are a warning sign that ISIS-inspired attacks aren’t contained to certain borders, and in response we must do everything we can to protect Americans around the world. The Republican-led Senate is committed to defeating ISIS, but I am concerned some Democrats, President Obama included, don’t entirely share that priority. John Brennan, the Obama-appointed director of the CIA, recently con- ceded that “our efforts have not reduced the group’s terrorism capability and global reach.” Part of that bleak assessment is likely due to the fact that President Obama has never – despite all of the ISIS-created carnage around the world – laid out a comprehensive plan to defeat the terrorist group. While the Republican-led Senate can’t force President Obama to take this threat seriously, we can work hard to pursue policies that will increase our national security, and that’s exactly what we’re doing. One of the best ways to combat terrorism is by ensuring the military has the resources it needs to fulfill its mission. It’s unfortunate, though, that for the second year in a row, Senate Democrats have decided to put their interests ahead of our troops by playing politics with the Department of Defense appropriations bill. Passing this essential bill is a key part of meeting our obligations to the men and women in uniform who fight to keep us safe. My hope is that my Democrat colleagues drop their unnecessary objections and let this bill move forward without delay. Another key aspect to protecting our nation from terrorist threats is controlling our borders, which is why I’m disappointed Senate Democrats recently blocked a bill that would have discouraged sanctuary city policies, which have resulted in the release of thousands of criminals who could otherwise have been picked up by federal authorities and deported. That debate is far from over, though. The Senate will also soon take up several important airport security measures that I authored, which will keep air travelers in South Dakota and around the country safer and more secure. Included is a provision that improves the vetting of airport employees to address the risk that an insider might give a terrorist access to secure areas of an airport. Although I’m not holding out much hope, I’d like to think the president and his allies on Capitol Hill will develop a greater seriousness about ISIS in the coming months. But whatever they do – or fail to do – Republicans will do everything we can to protect our country and keep Americans safe from terrorists. Have a Great Day Here’s My Card Advert ise You r Card H ere! Call 62 4-4429 & Sewer • Water t Excavation en • Basem n olitio • Dem paration • Site Pre g • Ditchin g • Gradin nded sed • Bo • Liscen sured • In ollman Mike P nda, SD 57073 ako ravel and • G 424 • W 5-267-2768 0 PO Box Rock • S Fill Material e/Fax: 6 1-1063 • e Phon Quartzit 5-66 Cell: 60 ahoo.com r@y xkv8to bp Since 1934 Broadcaster Pressdcaster roa B JACKIE WILLIAMS 201 W. Cherr y 069 Vermillion, SD 57 t 4-4429 Media Consultan Phone: (605) 62 08 05) 624-2696 Cell: 605-661-23 Fax (6 t line.com ams@plaintalk.ne www.broadcasteron email: jackie.willi w.plaintalk.net ww Press