Aggressive driving Essay

(1)Aggressive driving is a phenomenon, which has only recently got the public worried. (2)The National Highway Traffic Safety Council (NHTSC) defines aggressive driving as â€Å"the operation of a motor vehicle in a manner that endangers or is likely to endanger persons or property†. (3)Actions such as running red lights, improper passing, overtaking on the left, improper lane change, failing to yield, improper turns, running stop signs, tailgaiting, careless driving and speeding are examples of aggressive driving.. (4)Such actions are dangerous to other road users. (5)Aggressive driving should be avoided because it causes crashes, injuries and fatalities. (6)The first reason why aggressive driving should be avoided is it causes crashes. (7)According to NHTSC between 78 percent (excessive speed) and 100 percent (improper passing) of the cases of aggressive driving resulted in traffic crashes and 96 percent of the drivers cited for â€Å"following too closely† or tailgaitng caused crashes as a result of their aggressive driving. (8)Moreover, â€Å"running red light†, â€Å"improper passing†, and â€Å"overtaking on the left† topped other categories of aggressive driving in contributing to traffic crashes. (9)Another reason why aggressive driving should be avoided is it causes injuries.(10) NHTSC states that the percentages of the injuries caused by aggressive driving are, in almost all categories of aggressive driving, above 100 percent. (11)Furthermore, the Department of Highway Safety (DHS) reports that this is due to the fact that each motor vehicle crash accounts for one or more injuries. (12) It was found that of the ten categories of aggressive driving, â€Å"running red light†, â€Å"failing to yield†, and â€Å"running stop signs† are the most serious factors contributing to injuries. (13)Yet another reason why aggressive driving should be avoided is it causes fatalities. (14)†Overtaking on the left† appears to be the most important contributing factor in traffic fatalities as it relates to aggressive driving. (15) â€Å"Improper lane change†, â€Å"running stop sign† and â€Å"running red light† rank second through four in terms of their contribution to traffic fatalities (DHS, 2008). (16)The above evidence shows that aggressive driving causes crashes, injuries and fatalities. (17) Hence, aggressive driving should be avoided. (18)Since the opening of the North-South Highway, the number of kilometers of roads in the country has increased by one percent while the number of vehicle miles driven has increased by 35 percent. (19) More cars and more drivers are also on the road, leading to more aggressive drivers.