Curbing Road Rage Among Commercial Drivers
Around 80% of drivers exhibit some kind of road rage during the course of a year. Companies employing commercial drivers take a plethora of precautions to ensure safety and this includes road rage awareness and education. However, every driver is human and as such, can succumb to a plethora of behaviors that can put their passengers or others on the road at risk. Here, we delve into the nature of road rage and suggest ways that commercial drivers can avoid falling prey to it.
What does Road Rage Involve?
According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, examples of aggressive behavior on the road include tailgating, speeding, cutting in front of another driver then slowing down, stopping cars from changing lanes, cursing and making obscene gestures, and forcing a driver off the road. Studies have shown that those with impulsive, angry personalities are more prone to aggressive driving and are therefore more likely to be involved in accidents. According to psychologist Jerry Deffenbacher, PhD, who has carried out extensive research on the subject, high-anger drivers tend to take more risks on the road and engage in hostile thinking, and are more likely to get into their vehicle in an angry frame of mind (because of work or private matters).
What are the Consequences of Road Rage?
Around 66% of traffic deaths can be attributed to aggressive driving. The most common sign of the latter is speeding, which in turn is responsible for 33% of all road deaths. There is a difference, of course, between simply going fast and doing so as a way to express rage; the latter evidently carries more risks because it can involve additional actions that compromise one’s own and others’ safety.
Training and Education are Key for Commercial Drivers
Training staff on the nature of road rage and its effects is vital for all companies employing drivers. Staff should be taught ways to negotiate provocative drivers. Defensive driving is hugely important. For instance, in the presence of aggressive drivers, they should not attempt to win the battle, but rather take the "moral high ground" and allow the other vehicle to pass them (by changing to the slow lane).
Refusing to Fall Prey to Aggression
There are other ways to keep things calm on the road. One is to avoid the fast lane if they are going slowly. Another is to avoid eye contact with aggressive drivers. Courtesy is also key. Companies should establish a minimum distance for drivers with the vehicle in front of them. If someone gives drivers an unfriendly gesture, they should avoid engaging the aggressor, taking a deep breath instead and keeping their eyes and full attention on the road. Finally, they should call the police if they feel they are in danger.
Individual Steps to Reduce Road Rage
Commercial drivers should be encouraged to take part in activities that promote greater calm and mindfulness. For instance, employers can offer drivers free yoga, Tai Chi, or mindfulness meditation classes, all of which have documented benefits for stress relief. Anger management classes can also be offered for a limited time to those who report that they are undergoing a period of stress.
Because road rage can have such serious consequences for anyone on the road, companies employing professional drivers have a duty to train staff on the effects of aggression and to select staff that predisposed to be calm and non-aggressive. Companies should also consider offering staff complimentary classes that encourage greater self-awareness and promote mindfulness on a long-term basis.
This is a guest post by Cassie Steele.
