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INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY TRAVNIK
FACULTY OF TRAFFIC
ROAD AND URBAN TRANSPORT
SPEEDING/AGGRESSIVE DRIVING
Mentor: Aida Terzić Student: Lejla Hadžajlić
Travnik, December, 2016
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Abstract
Aggressive driving behaviour takes many forms. Typical aggressive driving behaviours include
speeding, driving too close to the car in front, not respecting traffic regulations, improper lane
changing or weaving, etc. The list is long. Most people drive aggressively from time to time and many
drivers are not even aware when they are doing it. Motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) are a leadin cause
of accidental death and injury, and agressive driving has been identified as a risk factor for MVAs.
Assesing psychiatric and behavioral disturbances in aggressive drivers is germane to the development
of prevvention and intervention programs for this population. The present study compared the
prevalence of psychiatric diagnoses and behavioral prolems in young adult drivers with self-reported
high driving aggression to that of drivers with low driving aggression. Aggressive drivers evidenced a
significantly higher current and lifetime prevalence of Opposizional Defiant Disorder, Alcohol and
Substance use Disorders. Aggressive drivers also had a significantly grater prevalence of self-reported
prolems with anger, as well as greater family history anger prolems and conflict.
Media portrayals and political responses to the problem have sometimes created confusion as to what
aggressive driving really is. There is a difference between aggressive driving and “road rage.” The
latter is criminal behavior employing a car as a weapon, or involving assault arising from driving
confrontations. Moreover, many of the documented cases of road rage may not have arisen from
earlier acts of aggressive behavior on the road.
Key words
Aggressive driving, MVAs(Motor vehicele acidents), Disturbances, Psychiatric diagnoses, Oppozional
Defiant Disorder, Alcohol, Substance, Media portrayals, Road- rage.
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Aggressive drivinig
Aggressive driving can be caused by long commutes, heavy traffic congestion, and the behavior of
other drivers. It can also e caused by you own mood, reactions, and abbility to deal with stress on and
off the road. Aggressive driving create unsafe situations and can lead to higher risk of accidents and
road rage.
What are the Signs of an Aggressive Driver?
SPEEDING
Frequent lane changes
Tailgating
Unsafe passing
Honking the horn
Making rude gestures or yelling at other drivers.
What happens to Us?
Before we even cognitively process the situation our brain goes into “fihgt or fight“ mode and
relases hormones such as epinephrine and adrenaline, which cause a cascade of other
reactions.
Face reddens
Pupils dilate
Retahing becomes faster and shallower.
Neck and jaw muscles clench, and you may grind your teeth.
Hands grip the wheel more forcefully as arm and shoulder muscles tighten.
Blood pressure rises, and heart rate may as well.
Back and legs can tighten , which is why you feel stiff getting out of the car after fihting
traffic
Immune systen declines if you experience this type of stress daily, in addition to potential
cardiac and circulatory prolems.
Figure 1
Aggressive driver
What are the causes of aggressive driving?
