New York Among the Angriest Drivers on the Road

A new study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found New Yorkers to be some of the angriest drivers on the road. The findings are even more egregious given that nearly 80% of American drivers have expressed significant anger, aggression, or road rage at least once in the past year. Even worse, approximately 8 million U.S. drivers engaged in extreme examples of road rage, including purposefully ramming another vehicle.

Drivers living in the Northeast – including cities like New York and Boston – were 30% more likely to yell, honk, or gesture angrily than people living in other parts of the country. Aggressive driving and road rage also varied considerably by age and gender, with male and younger drivers (ages 19 to 39) significantly more likely to engage in aggressive behaviors. For example, male drivers were more than three times as likely as female drivers to get out of the car and confront another driver.

Drivers who reported other unsafe behaviors behind the wheel, such as speeding and running red lights, were also more likely to show aggression. Those who reported recently speeding on a freeway, for example, were four times more likely to have also cut off another vehicle on purpose.

A significant percentage of U.S. drivers reported engaging in angry and aggressive behaviors over the past year, according to study estimates.

• Purposefully tailgating: 51%
• Yelling at another driver: 47%
• Honking to show annoyance or anger: 45%
• Making angry gestures: 33%
• Trying to block another vehicle from changing lanes: 24%
• Cutting off another vehicle on purpose: 12%

AAA offers these tips to help New Yorkers prevent road rage:

• Don’t offend: Never cause another driver to change speed or direction. That means not forcing other drivers 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.

If you or a loved one has been ticketed or arrested for speeding, road rage, or other aggressive driving acts, it is essential that you consult an attorney. Adam H. Rosenblum of the Rosenblum Law Firm is a skilled New York traffic ticket attorney who is experienced in handling tickets for speeding as well as other driving-related offenses. Call 888-203-2619 or email the Rosenblum Law Firm today for a free consultation about your case.

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