The variables that determine the probability of accidents are diverse, some depend on the type of vehicle, others on the location and environment, others of the driver himself, the variables related to the driver include both the competence and experience of the person and their personality. and emotional state, which are also defining circumstances. Traffic stress often displays surprising aggressiveness on the part of drivers. What influence does this have on the steering wheel?
A problem directly related to road safety is the aggressiveness of the driver. Another risk factor associated with traffic accidents is a person’s negative emotional state while driving.
- The aggression of the driver can harm or cause harm.
- Directly or indirectly.
- To other drivers.
- Passengers or pedestrians who share a common space.
For some people, the car has become more than just a means of transport, in fact, for many, the car is even a second home for the number of hours they stay indoors, it is as if it were a metal shield in which the driver feels protected, because inside there is a hypothetical immunity against external aggressions.
The aggressive driver is characterized by an impulsive personality, as soon as he enters the vehicle he adopts a series of behaviors and actions contrary to good practices of social behavior, the result of his negative attitude often absent from other environments.
Having a hostile personality and being exposed to stressful situations, when accumulated with a low capacity to handle feelings, generates an aggressiveness that can be seen while driving. As can be seen, it is not just the person’s temperament that is at stake, but also external factors. Noise, street conditions, traffic? all this can influence. We will see more below.
External factors related to driver aggressiveness refer to circumstances that are currently occurring and cannot be controlled, for example, traffic jams, lack of parking, violations committed by other drivers, etc.
Such factors can increase the level of stress and anxiety of those driving, also increasing hostile behaviors and turning some people into aggressive drivers in a timely manner, however, it is not always necessary to have a lot of external stimuli to generate violent behavior, because the big factor that really determines when a person reacts aggressively or not behind the wheel is the emotional state of the driver.
External factors can act as the drop of water that causes all content to be poured, but they are generally not the direct cause of aggression.
Internal factors of aggression while driving are based on the psychophysical state of the driver, i. e. his emotional state and his ability to concentrate on what he is doing.
If, for example, the person has already woken up in the morning with a bad mood that has left him stressed or angry since the first hour of the day, it is more likely that the aggression appears behind the wheel, so he generates the same stimulus very different reactions depending on the emotion of the driver, it is not the same as a driver who has just committed an infringement immediately apologizes for his behavior or , on the contrary, use vulgar language and a backlash to complain to the other.
To prevent fury from invading us and taking away, it is important to consider the following tips:
“If you already know what to do and don’t know, then your situation is worse than before. –
Both in driving and in life, we do not know all the circumstances of each person’s context, we cannot know if the driver who insulted us had a bad day or if he has a headache, we have to think that we are all, a different person, and that not everyone has the same practice behind the wheel, some may lack speed and good reflexes or just be distracted , the important thing is that at all times everyone behaves with mutual respect, consideration and education.
This is why, as part of the solution to the aggressiveness of drivers, experts stress the need for road education, with very clear messages reaching the general population and also children in particular, for example, there could be classes in schools where the consequences of Children would be explained non-compliance with the traffic code.
Finally, it is very important that this road education is also carried out at home, which prevents aggressive driving behaviors from being used as role models and encourage hostile behavior among future drivers who are our children.
“To understand safety, we don’t have to deal with it, but incorporate it into ourselves. Allan Watts-