Stuff About Cars

In a comment on the previous post, a visitor asked if I was one of those people to whom one of today’s media reports refers. The topic in question is that of road rage, and it has indeed been in the news today.

Below is a press release from Green Flag, who have conducted a survey.

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2 February 2007

A third admit being affected by road rage once a week or more often

Most drivers admit driving while angry or stressed at other road users, reveals a survey by Brake and breakdown specialist, Green Flag.

The survey of more than 1,000 drivers also shows that a startlingly high number drive while dangerously distracted by stress and anger at least once a week – almost a third.

Key findings of the survey:
Eight in ten drivers (78%) drive while angry or stressed about other road users, with one in three (31%) doing so once a week or more often
More than six in ten drivers (63%) drive while feeling angry or stressed at something unrelated to driving
Three-quarters of drivers (74%) drive while thinking about something other than work such as personal issues
More than nine in ten (95%) drivers agree that it is important to keep calm and focused while driving for safety reasons

Driving while stressed or angry can be extremely distracting and affect the way you drive. Research has shown that angry drivers are more likely to take risks such as speeding, rapidly switching lanes, tailgating and jumping red lights. Driving in this way increases your chance of being involved in a crash.(1)

Stress is a constant theme in our lives. It the second biggest cause of time off work, and is estimated to cost the country £13bn a year.(2) Research has shown that around 12 million adults see their GP with mental health problems each year and many of these are stress-related.(3)

Most drivers realise the dangers of driving while angry or stressed, and yet the vast majority still drive while distracted by stress or anger at other road users or something unrelated to driving.

Driving requires your full attention, and Brake advises all drivers who are feeling particularly angry or stressed to pull over at a safe place and allow time to calm down. You should only begin driving again once you are able to give your full attention to the road. You should take regular breaks at least every two hours to help concentration and should never jump into a car after an argument or if your mind is elsewhere.

Brake is calling on the Government to take urgent action to stop the daily carnage on our roads by introducing year-round, high-profile advertising campaigns to warn the public about the dangers of road rage and give advice on how to be a safer driver.

Case study:
Tara Bradshaw, aged seven weeks
Seven-week-old Tara Bradshaw died when the car she and her parents were in was forced into the path of an oncoming van. David Waterman, 24, of Harlow, Essex, lost his temper and drove his Vauxhall Cavalier into the car Tara Bradshaw was in, forcing it into the oncoming lane, Chelmsford Crown Court heard. Waterman was found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving and sentenced to tenyears in prison.
BBC News Online, 15 April 2005

Jools Townsend, head of education at Brake, says: “Driving is the most dangerous activity most of us do on a daily basis, and requires complete concentration. The demands of modern life often leads to stress and frustrations - and research shows that many of us succumb to stress on a regular basis. Driving while distracted by worries or frustrations can lead to fatal errors, or even dangerous, aggressive driving of the kind that killed Tara Bradshaw. We need to see drivers taking responsibility for their own safety and that of others, and not allowing themselves to drive if they’re not fully calm and focused. We also urge the Government to address this issue by introducing advertising campaigns warning drivers of the dangers they face, and giving advice on how to deal with anger and stress on the road.”

Nigel Charlesworth, spokesperson for Green Flag, commented: “It is worrying that so many people admit to driving while feeling stressed putting themselves and others at risk. Motorists should remain calm when driving to ensure they are concentrating fully on the road and if very stressed, should think twice about getting behind the wheel.”

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