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What Causes Aggressive Driving

• Speeding
• Traffic congestion
• Being in a hurry
• Road work
• Stress from other areas of life
• Dangerous driving attitudes
• Selfishness

Help Prevent Aggressive Driving

• Report incidents of aggressive driving to the Police
• Set an example for younger passengers

Tips to Combat Aggressive Driving

• Don’t have a “Do as I say, not as I do” attitude.
• Plan your trip.
• Avoid dangerous interactions and confrontations.
• Avoid eye contact with “aggressive drivers.”
• Do not take the actions of other drivers personally.
• Be a courteous and patient driver.
• Do not tailgate and use the left lane only when passing.
• Use signals and with plenty of warning.
• Use the horn only as a “safety device.”
• Obey the speed limit.
• Identify alternative routes.
• Just be late.
• Get out of the way and let an aggressive driver pass.
• Don't challenge them.

Misuse of Alcohol

• In numerous studies, at least half of all drivers admit to driving occasionally after drinking alcoholic beverages.
• Possession of alcohol is illegal in all 50 states for anyone under age 21.
• About 3 out of every 10 Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related collision at some time in their lives.
• In 2008, alcohol-related crashes killed 11,773 people. This figure represents 32 percent of total traffic fatalities for the year.

How to Detect an Impaired Driver

• Driving too slow or too fast for conditions.
• Crossing the center line repeatedly.
• Signaling inconsistent with driving.
• Swerving, weaving or drifting between lanes and the sides of the road.
• Accelerating and braking rapidly.
• Driving with the headlights off at night, or failing to dim high beams.
• Making wider turns than necessary.
• Responding slowly to traffic signals (sudden stops, delayed starts).
• Driving into opposing traffic.
• Driving too closely to other vehicles or objects.
• Stopping without cause.
• Turning abruptly or illegally.

Alcohol and Crashes

Compared to sober drivers, for a 150-pound male over 21 years old, the odds of being involved in a crash of any kind are:

• 1-2 drinks: Chances nearly double.
• 3-4 drinks: Chances increase 3-7 times.
• 5-6 drinks: Chances increase 13-20 times.
• 7-8 drinks: Chances increase 55-85 times.

Be A Responsible Host

• Collect your guests' keys at the door when they first arrive as a precaution.
• Plan ahead for the timing of alcohol consumption. Serve foods throughout your gathering that help absorb alcohol from the bloodstream. Put the alcohol away at some point to give your guests time to allow the alcohol to work its way out of the bloodstream.
• Remember that coffee and cold showers will not work to remove the affects on alcohol on the body. Time is the only answer. A person can get rid of 1 drink per hour.
• Appoint designated drivers to drive your guests home who are not in shape to drive.
• Offer non-alcoholic beverages to your guests as an alternative.
• Never offer drinks to anyone under 21 years of age at your gathering.

Alcohol's Impact on Behavior

For an average-build 150-pound person:

• One drink in 1 hour*: Inhibitions are lessened. BAC = .02 to .03 percent.
• Two drinks in the same timeframe: Reaction time is slower. BAC = .04 to .05 percent.
• Three drinks: Judgment is not sound. BAC = .06 to .07 percent.
• Four drinks: Hearing, speech, vision and balance are adversely affected. BAC = .08 to .09 percent.
• Five drinks, most behaviors are affected. BAC = .10 to .11 percent.
• 12 drinks, the person would most likely enter a deep sleep or coma. BAC = .30 percent.
• If BAC reaches .50 percent(since the body continues to absorb alcohol even while unconscious), the person will be in a deep coma and near death.

Signs Of Driver Fatigue

• Difficulties in focusing
• Drifting to either side of the road
• Taking longer than normal to react to a dangerous driving situation
• Failing to scan the roadway and mirrors
• Dropping off to sleep, even for an instant
• Failing to remember the previous few miles of the trip

How To Avoid Driver Fatigue

• Plan ahead to drive during daylight hours
• Avoid steady driving around your usual bedtime
• Eat small meals while traveling
• Stop frequently (at least every two hours) and walk around
• Don't focus your eyes on one spot
• Don't expect fatigue to be relieved by caffeine

Winter Survival Kit 10-Point Checklist

Be Mentally Prepared

• Leave earlier for your destination
• Use main roads or arteries whenever possible
• Use your knowledge of the area to your advantage
• Expect traffic to travel at a slower pace

Skidding

• Avoid using cruise control in wet weather driving conditions
• Look farther ahead and pay particular attention to "hot spots": bridges, culverts, on and off ramps and elevated highways. Be alert for "Black Ice."
• Avoid unusual driving maneuvers that could induce a skid
• If you find yourself beginning to skid, ease up on the accelerator, keep a firm grip on the wheel, and steer in the direction you want the front of the vehicle to go.

Remain Calm

• Don't let your emotions affect your driving
• Realize that traffic moves at a slower pace during inclement weather

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Visibility Is The Key

• Clear off snow and ice from your vehicle before starting out
• At intersections, pull up farther to increase visibility
• Switch headlights on low beam to avoid glare and to ensure that taillights are on

Increase Your Following Distance

• Slow down and increase the distance between you and the vehicle in front of you
• Add more space as conditions worsen
• Don't be afraid to shift into a lower gear to reduce speed
• Observe other vehicles to determine existing road conditions

Common Sense Is The Key

• Ask yourself the following questions
• Is this trip really necessary?
• Is my vehicle ready for this trip?
• Am I mentally and physically prepared to make this trip?

For Your Safety:

• Keep your doors locked, safety belts buckled and children safe and secure in properly installed safety seats.
• Don't let your gas tank fall below 1/3 tank.
• Stay on main roads and highways, and don't forget your AAA maps!
• Pack a flashlight, blanket and a first-aid kit. In cold climates, pack extra warm clothing.
• If you are going on a long trip, pack an emergency ration kit of water and nonperishable food items such as fruit or granola bars.
• When stopping for breaks, never let kids go to the restroom alone. Always lock vehicle doors, even if you'll only be gone for a few minutes.
• Carry a cellular phone in case of emergencies.
• Do not stop to help a disabled vehicle. Instead, call for help from a pay phone or your cellular phone.
• If stopping during night-time travel, choose a well-lighted, populated facility. Park where your vehicle can be seen.
• If approached by someone while your vehicle is stopped, keep your doors locked and only roll your window down enough to hear what the person is saying.

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If You Break Down:

• Move your vehicle off the road safely away from traffic.
• Stay inside your vehicle, and make all passengers stay inside, too. Keep doors locked.
• If you can't move your vehicle off the road, ask all passengers to exit the vehicle. when it is safe to do so, and stand away from traffic.
• If you must walk to a phone, keep your group together.
• Raise the vehicle's hood, tie a white cloth to a door handle or use reflective triangles or flares. Warning devices should be placed far enough away from the vehicle to give oncoming traffic time to react. A good rule of thumb: 3 devices at 100, 50 and 25 yards from the vehicle - or 300, 200 or 100 feet.
• Only roll down the window enough to ask any passersby to call police.