Article content“And flipping your middle finger if somebody else makes a mistake and maybe unintentionally cuts you off. Behaviours like that would be considered aggressive driving.”Article contentIs it the same as road rage?Article contentAggressive driving is a cousin to road rage but not the same because it comes down to intent.Article content“Aggressive can be just common behaviours without any intent, whereas road rage is you are upset, you have the intention to go after that driver,” Edwards explained.Article content“People might not even realize their driving behaviour is aggressive.”Article contentThose aggressive driving behaviours are likely contributing to full-out road rage, added Cromwell.Article content“The road rage will likely be leading into physical aggression, where somebody may actually get out of their vehicle and go bang on the hood of your car, bang on your window, something along those lines.”Article contentIs it on the rise in HRM?Article content“Oh, absolutely,” said Sadeghi.Article contentArticle contentPeople are speeding much more than they did years ago, and there are more nasty interactions between drivers, he’s noticed.Article contentWhat are some of the causes? Is traffic congestion a factor?Article contentA growing population leads to more traffic, which leads to more aggravated drivers waiting in traffic, Cromwell said.Article content“It’s going to lead to you being impatient, late for work, that’s going to cause you to be frustrated and angry and that’s when you’re going to start tailgating that slower driver in front of you.”Article content Traffic snarls on the Macdonald bridge linking Halifax and Dartmouth on March 29. Photo by Francis Campbell /The Chronicle HeraldArticle content“When traffic builds up, people’s patience runs low, and that congestion can lead to frustration,” Edwards said, adding that cellphone distraction doesn’t help matters.Article content“It starts with a small thing that many people don’t even consider aggressive driving,” Sadeghi elaborated.Article content“That’s something like being in a rush, you want to get to your destination fast and you leave late from home. That is the first thing, then there’s speeding, rushing, distraction — these all can be the cause of aggressive driving.”Article contentArticle contentWhat should aggressive drivers do?Article contentLike any behavour, it’s something that develops over time, said Edwards, and you might not even realize you’re doing it. The best thing to do is just slow down, follow the rules of the road and be patient, she said.Article content“Put that coffee down and don’t be eating a full meal while you’re behind the wheel,” she added.Article contentWhat should other drivers do?Article content“If you see someone driving aggressively, the best thing you can do is remain calm, don’t let them ruin your day, so be patient,” said Edwards.Article contentTo report an aggressive driver to police, she suggests making note of the vehicle type, the licence plate, direction of travel and the behaviour.Article content“And so many vehicles now have dashcams, so if you have dashcam footage of something that you’re seeing that you believe is unsafe and aggressive, then don’t hesitate to turn that footage over to the police.”Article contentCromwell said if you have a run-in with an aggressive driver, slow down, fall back and move out of the way if you’re being tailgated.Article content“Go to a safe space, don’t engage that aggressive driver, try not to make eye contact.”Article content Fire crews and RCMP respond to a motor vehicle accident on Highway 7 near Cherry Brook Road in this file photo from April 12, 2023. While it’s unknown if aggressive driving was a factor, it is a cause of many collisions in HRM. Photo by Tim Krochak /The Chronicle HeraldArticle contentThat’s just what Sadeghi tells his students.Article content“If you acknowledge them that you see them, most of the time it will make them feel that . . . ‘I can just continue on doing what I’m doing’ or escalating the situation.Article content“I always tell my students, ‘You don’t know what they have in their car,’ and sometimes if they get really mad, they use their cars as a weapon.”Article content
Are you an aggressive driver? What is aggressive driving and why is it a growing problem in HRM?
