Are Service Members more likely to be aggressors in road rage? How do you address this deadly issue with your Soldiers and yourself?

SSG Robert Burns — Thu, 19 Feb 2015 23:24:54 -0500

Road rage seems to be in the news a lot lately and often proves to be fatal incidents. There are several "viral" incidents that feature service members. Are these videos viral because they include service members and highlight issues such as PTSD or are we the more likely to be an aggressor than others?

I can speak for myself and say that this is something that I struggle with and try to control my temper when I am wronged on the highway. But it is something I have to actively try to mitigate because I want to react and react very strongly. I am much more able to control myself however, when my family is with me.

This viral video from Hawaii is of an active duty nurse that I used to work with in the ICU at Brooke Army Medical Center. So here you have a person who's life is dedicated to saving lives in turn, basically threatening someone else's.....with her child present. What are your thoughts?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNIBUh2JLBU

Road Rage in Hawaii Nei

**WARNING NSFW AND FOUL LANGUAGE This lady was looking down at something, maybe on her phone or something else but there was a good car and a half length of ...

Response by SSG Robert Burns made Feb 20 at 2015 8:02 AM

SSG Robert Burns — Fri, 20 Feb 2015 08:02:32 -0500

No one wants this trail blazer badge???

Response by SrA Matthew Knight made Feb 20 at 2015 9:52 AM

SrA Matthew Knight — Fri, 20 Feb 2015 09:52:42 -0500

I have personally been angry with other drivers before for them doing something stupid. Usually results in a simply horn honk or at worst the single finger salute, however to chase someone down and yell at them or worse, actually commit a violent act has never been something that has crossed my mind. At most if I felt the driver was truly doing something wrong I would call and report them to the police and let law enforcement handle it.

My opinion on whether road rage is more likely with service members? Personally I doubt it. It is all based on an individuals ability to handle their anger in what is already a stressful situation. In all actuality I would hope that at least most service members would be able to better handle themselves in a situation like that. There are going to be exceptions of course as proven with your video but I think that the majority of SMs wouldn't have problems with road rage.

Response by SGT Jim Z. made Feb 20 at 2015 12:18 PM

SGT Jim Z. — Fri, 20 Feb 2015 12:18:38 -0500

Enraged drivers come from every line of color, sex, line of work and in my opinion has nothing to do with combat or military service. I personally have gotten mad at other drivers and may have given them the number salute with the occasional well yell and scream. I may even ride them but usually back off fairly quickly.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 6 at 2015 4:38 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 06 Mar 2015 16:38:12 -0500

I think we are more likely to be aggressive.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 6 at 2015 5:47 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 06 Mar 2015 17:47:26 -0500

Wow! Is this how we living now days? What kind of example this lady is giving you her child? Speechless.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 6 at 2015 5:53 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 06 Mar 2015 17:53:06 -0500

Going from sitting on convoys moving at 1/2 mph for hours on end didn't really make me more prone to road rage. I still get pissed off sometimes but I've never acted on it. Partly because I know that I'm the one carrying the gun so I'm not going to be aggressor.

Response by CSM Mark Gerecht made Mar 6 at 2015 7:30 PM

CSM Mark Gerecht — Fri, 06 Mar 2015 19:30:48 -0500

WOW! Maybe there is some truth to the statement An armed society is a polite society.

Thanks for sharing that

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 6 at 2015 7:39 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 06 Mar 2015 19:39:45 -0500

What a "lady"! I think PTS could contribute to increased road rage incidents among Soldiers and veterans. And the type "A" personalities attracted to the military are probably more likely to be aggressors as well.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 6 at 2015 10:10 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 06 Mar 2015 22:10:35 -0500

I'd have to say it's more about age and generational differences rather than military service. Road rage happens everywhere, including places far from military bases. It seems that the younger generations are more prone to being the perpetrators.

Response by SPC Daniel Edwards made Mar 6 at 2015 10:17 PM

SPC Daniel Edwards — Fri, 06 Mar 2015 22:17:20 -0500

We are targeted because we are the poster children of PTSD. We are practically expected to have it when we tell people that we serve. I have had road rage since I started driving in 1997. I joined in 2008 and deployed 2010.

Response by Sgt David G Duchesneau made Mar 8 at 2015 1:38 PM

Sgt David G Duchesneau — Sun, 08 Mar 2015 13:38:22 -0400

I know a little about the subject of Road Rage and NO, Service Members are NOT likely to be more aggressors in Road Rage. According to statistics, it's the average 19 year old male who is most likely to be the aggressor in Road Rage. Now that being said, below are a few facts and you can judge for yourself what type of driver you are?

Road Rage: How To Deal With It

Road rage is a growing problem on our highways. Learning how to deal with road rage can help you sidestep the dangerous nightmare that often follows an aggressive road rage incident.

Definition of ROAD RAGE:

A motorist's uncontrolled anger that is usually provoked by another motorist's irritating act and is expressed in aggressive or violent behavior.

Definition of AGGRESSIVE DRIVING:

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) defines aggressive driving has a progression of unlawful driving actions such as:
• Speeding – exceeding the posted limit or driving too fast for conditions
• Improper signaling and lane changing – failing to signal intent, using an emergency lane to pass, or passing on the shoulder, cutting into another car's path
• Tailgating – driving near the back of another's car at too close of a range
• Driving in improper lane - travelling too slow in passing lane (typically the left lane of 'every' road) and ignoring 'keep right except to pass' rule causing other drivers to perform more frequent lane changes

Back Off from Aggressive Drivers

You must realize that you can't control another driver's behavior, but you can control your own. When another driver cuts you off, how you react will determine what happens next. If you are able to back off, take a deep breath, and remain calm, then you can defuse a potentially violent situation.
True, you might need to vent about the driver tailgating you all the way from town or the overly cautious motorist who consistently drove under the speed limit. Venting your frustration is normal and healthy, so long as you vent appropriately.
Talk to a friend or family member about the driving experience―telling the story can relieve your stress. Some driving clubs or online discussions offer members a chance to vent their frustration. Driving is all about having a good attitude. If you are having a bad day, then your driving habits will reflect the way you feel.

Know Your Own Driving Style?

What if you are the aggressive driver? Analyze your driving style and whether you are susceptible to road rage; then consider changing your own driving habits. Aggressive drivers routinely:
o Tailgate
o Use their horn
o Flash their headlights
o Change lanes quickly and often
o Gesture to other drivers
o Talk on their cell phone
Changing your driving habits is not easy. You'll need to practice and study safer driving habits. Consider signing up for a driver's education course or better yet, personalized training.
Of course, the other extreme is the instigator―the driver who infuriates other drivers by driving under the speed limit, skipping turn signals, slowing down early for exits, accelerating unevenly, and hogging lanes. If this sounds like you, maybe you've already been the victim of road rage.
If you are the instigator and have avoided a road rage confrontation, then congratulations. Regardless, now is the time to improve your own driving habits before you provoke a bad situation.
Remember, you are sharing the road with other motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists. It is only fair for you to recognize that people are going to work, school, or important appointments―and driving under the speed limit is inconsiderate. You can pull over and let others pass by.

Medical Basis for Road Rage

Why do some drivers get worked up during the daily commute? Some doctors believe there is a medical basis for road rage. The National Institute of Health sponsored a study that looked at road rage in drivers.
In 5% to 7% of the nearly 10,000 drivers studied, road rage behavior was present. A general theory came out of the study, and Intermittent Explosive Disorder (IED) was identified as the cause of road rage.
Losing your temper used to be just bad form; now it has a diagnosis and can begin in the early teens. People diagnosed with IED have had multiple outbursts that are way out of proportion to the situation at hand. Generally, someone gets hurt or property is damaged.
Whether or not you believe in a medical basis for road rage, you still need to know how to deal with it. Uncertain situations can escalate unpredictably, and the best advice is to avoid confrontations altogether. If you tend to provoke other drivers or are on the aggressive side of road rage, put some effort into learning new driving habits.
And for those of us, who run the middle of the road, maintain those defensive driving skills and keep a watchful eye on developing hazardous situations.

Take the Test — Do You Have Road Rage?

Aggressive driving habits can threaten your safety, the safety of your passengers and others driving on the road. Many people experience some level of road rage while they travel on the road. Dealing with road rage and aggressive drivers involves patience and the ability to remain calm.

See where you stand with road rage — take the quiz now.

Yes or No, Do You ...
1. Overtake other vehicles only on the left?
2. Avoid blocking passing lanes?
3. Yield to faster traffic by moving to the right?
4. Keep to the right as much as possible on narrow streets and at intersections?
5. Maintain appropriate distance when following other motorists, bicyclists, motorcyclists, etc.?
6. Provide appropriate distance when cutting in after passing vehicles?
7. Use headlights in cloudy, rainy, and other low light conditions?
8. Yield to pedestrians?
9. Come to a complete stop at stop signs, before right turn on red, etc.?
10. Stop for red traffic lights?
11. Approach intersections and pedestrians at slow speeds to show your intention and ability to stop?
12. Follow right-of-way rules at four-way stops?
13. Drive below posted speed limits when conditions warrant?
14. Drive at slower speeds in construction zones?
15. Maintain speeds appropriate for conditions?
16. Use vehicle turn signals for all turns and lane changes?
17. Make eye contact and signal intentions where needed?
18. Acknowledge intentions of others?
19. Use your horn sparingly around pedestrians, at night, around hospitals, etc.?
20. Avoid unnecessary use of high beam headlights?
21. Yield and move to the right for emergency vehicles?
22. Refrain from flashing headlights to signal a desire to pass?
23. Drive trucks at posted speeds, in the proper lanes, using non-aggressive lane changing?
24. Make slow, deliberate U-turns?
25. Maintain proper speeds around roadway crashes?
26. Avoid returning inappropriate gestures?
27. Avoid challenging other drivers?
28. Try to get out of the way of aggressive drivers?
29. Refrain from momentarily using High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes to pass vehicles?
30. Focus on driving and avoid distracting activities (e.g., smoking, use of a car telephone, reading, and shaving)?
31. Avoid driving when drowsy?
32. Avoid blocking the right-hand turn lane?
33. Avoid taking more than one parking space?
34. Avoid parking in a disabled space (if you are not disabled)?
35. Avoid letting your door hit the car parked next to you?
36. Avoid stopping in the road to talk with a pedestrian or other driver?
37. Avoid inflicting loud music on neighboring cars?

Score Yourself...

Are you an Aggressive Driver or a Smooth Operator? Answering "No" to more questions means you're a more aggressive driver.

Number of "No" Answers is How You Rate as a Driver

1-3 Excellent
4-7 Good
8-11 Fair
12+ Poor

(Test questions taken from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.)

Drive safely, defensively and be courteous to others driving on our roads. Remember that we are all accountable for our own actions and that also means that we are accountable for the way we drive.

Stay safe out there! SF!

Response by Sgt David G Duchesneau made Mar 9 at 2015 10:33 AM

Sgt David G Duchesneau — Mon, 09 Mar 2015 10:33:55 -0400

She has a good mouth on her! Talk about asking for problems on the roads . Great video of what "Road Rage" looks like.