Letters from Readers About My Congressional Testimony on
Aggressive Driving and Road Rage -- Part 1

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Date: Sun, 20 Jul 1997 09:26:02 -1000
From: charlie
To: leon@hawaii.edu
Subject: Aggressive Driving Testimony

Dr. James
Laudable testimony that you provided to be sure, but, 1) We don't have 10 to 20 years to wait around for the benefits of your suggestions to take hold and 2), You and your colleagues don't address the root-cause of the issue: 95% of the time, someone's errant driving behavior causes the manifestation of aggressive driving. I don't discount transferred aggression; a bad day at the office and a lousy home life; but that's only 5%.

I believe I represented a typical practitioner of "road rage" and I found it to be my reaction to (yes the perception of) having been mistreated by someone else on the highway while they hid behind the annonimity of a moving vehicle. I have chased people who: pulled out in front of me causing me to slowdown incredibly just to avoid hitting them as well as people who passed me (while significantly speeding) thereby causing a rock to crack my windshield. I regularly applied my brakes and slowed down to "train" tail-gators and have been known to "lock 'em up" in front of some idiot who can't seem to get the message. But all that changed recently.

No, I didn't kill somebody, although the law of averages says that the longer I practiced such retalitory behavior, the greater the chances that I would have an accident or meet up with someone who "raises the ante" to a point of danger, or produces a gun and shoots me. No, I didn't get a citation or a violation for my occasional flipping out. And no, it wasn't watching the boo hoo testimony of people whose mother,father,brother,sister or dog had been wiped out by some road rager (It always intrigues me how these people can make it a life's work once their family member gets killed but otherwise you'd have never seen them say a word boo about the subject at hand.) No, one simple set of events occured to change my thinking on how I behave on the road.

Several months ago, myself and two co-workers were returning from where we work on our usual 25 mile rural highway commute. Two-lane, twisty 45 to 55 mph with 6 miles of double yellow. Suddenly, some clown passes us. There was ABSOLUTELY NO WAY, that we wouldn't have been killed IF someone - say a gasoline tanker, of which 200 pass down this road daily from the refinery in town, had been coming. The idiot passed on a curve. We were aghast at what had just happened. It didn't even occur to us to "chase" this fellow - we were dumbfounded.

I then announced that I was going to call the State Police and tell them what happened since I had time to memorize the license plate of the cherokee that passed us. I called the State Police about 30 minutes later, gave him the details and said I be glad to appear in court in a complaint against this individual. I called back a month later and the officer had indeed spoken with the driver of the cherokee, but would not share with me the "legal" disposition. A week later, I ran into officer "X" at a law enforcement function and since we were both "in uniform", I introduced myself as the complaintant in the call-in affair and he readily informed me that he had spoken with the errant driver and had issued him a moving violation for unsafe passing, $92.50 plus costs for around $130 total all based on my phonecall and the man's honesty (he amitted he was operating the vehicle and had indeed passed us).

SO - if I can get somebody a ticket, who really deserved one, over the telephone, they, (anybody else on the road) can get me one too. Several things happened here. 1) In this state, a citizen can lodge a complaint against a traffic law violator which can result in a ticket being issued - all laws already in the books. 2) I suddenly realized that I have a voice in expressing my outrage at the way some people drive - that I don't have to take the law into my own hands, and 3) If I were to act innappropriately on the highway, someone could report me and I just might end up with a ticket "by remote control". I think law enforcement should make significant use of the legitimate complaint (two or more witnesses) and thats how I indend to vent my vehicular spleen from now on!! I do endorse the need to encourge and reward courtesy and respect and good behavior and do not mean to diminish the importance of your suggestions. My point, and I indend to make it to the Trans Board is that we have sufficient laws on the books now and don't need any more.

Thankyou

However, these methods are not enough to eliminate the problem. This would take a social cultural approach for motivating millions of drivers to change their role-model from aggressive to supportive driving. If you want to read the written part of my testimony, where these methods are elaborated, you may find it on the Web at this address.

Date: Fri, 22 Aug 1997 07:19:20 -1000
From: Charlie K
To: dyc@drdriving.org

Dear Dr Driving:
I mailed you a letter today (8/22/97), and I also want you to have an e-mail address for me in case anything comes up! My friend is willing for me to send and receive mail at his address above. I have just e-mailed Pecunia at NHTSA asking for the status of his campaign to combat aggressive driving. I am moving forward with my intention to address and help correct road rage. Thanks for your partnership.
Best,
Barbara S F Davis

Date: Fri, 22 Aug 1997 04:44:59 -1000
From: Patrick
To: dyc@drdriving.org
Subject: Aloha!

Visited your web site on Traffic Psychology while researching Road Rage.

I am employed by Meridian Education Corporation in Bloomington, Illinois, and we are planning an educational video on the topic. You are clearly an expert in the field, and we'd love to have a copy of your book "Inner Power at the Wheel" but couldn't find ordering information on the website.

Please let us know how to obtain a copy.

Thanks so much,

Patrick
Meridian Education Corporation

Date: Sun, 20 Jul 1997 16:37:37 -1000
From: charlie
To: leon@hawaii.edu
Subject: Re: Your reply to Agressive Driving

Dr. James:

I am interested in what lessons we may learn from others. A few years ago I had a chance to drive roughly 3,000 km through several european countries; Austria, Hungary, Germany and France. A central theme was that driving is taken more seriously over there. At 85 mph, you do your business, pass in the passing lane and get over when a big beemer comes along doing 200kmh - actually, there is no reason to be hanging around in the "fast" lane. Upon my return from just 3 weeks on the continent, I was assaulted by all forms of careless, thoughtless and just plain poor driving. :

Correct me if I'm wrong, but there is no rise in road rage in Europe, even with the consolidation of East and West Germany! (Many old-world values are still adhered to in Europe, even by younger people) For one thing, its the current media attention which has elevated this topic to the forefront. Its also irresponsible claiming of statistics like the one that Mr. Martinez quoted that estimated that 1/3 of all crashes are the result of road rage. (I'm very suspicious of that figure.)

Here's one just as meaningful. In NW Pennsylvania where we undoubtedly have the poorest high-speed roads in the United States, I'll warrant that fully half of the wrecks not attributed to alchohol are the result of poorly designed and maintained roads and encounters with deer/wildlife, inclimate weather notwithstanding. Basically, if you stray outside the white line - you're as good as dead, or seriously injured. What shoulders? Oh, you mean the 3-to 4 inch drop off, then mud and then your choice of rocks, flimsy "guide-rail", trees or open water in the numerous streams and creeks. Perhaps, subconciously, this "environmental stress" is our rural equivalent to the traffic congestion being experience in urban areas. I fully agree that the social fabric needs mending. A friend of mine has been a day-care director for 15 years. She reports that 10 to 12 years ago, 80% of her time was spent in instructing and worthwhile interaction with preschool-aged children and 20% in the area of discipline. Those numbers have since flipflopped. What the hell has happened? Judging from the age of the parents involved - so called early Xrs whose parents were early boomers, we have a monumental task afore us. And judging from what I heard you say (my ISP net-connection just fell down so I've not been able to read the full transcript) I believe you're on the right track. :

I consider driving a privilege, an occupation and not a birthright. In my utopian society, two things would certainly be evident. Not everyone would be driving and by no means would everyone be having children!! I thank you for your reply. :

P.S. I sent Mr. Bachus a copy of what I sent you including a little curricula vita. I'm 44, an Illinois native, M.S. Forestry UIUC '77 with a perfect driving record operating any and everything with wheels including taxicabs, semi-tractor trailers and motorcycles and am pushing 2,000,000 accident-free miles. I also developed my idea a little further into 1-800-BAD-DRVR where an automated call attendant would take a person's phone-in report via touch tone phone and store in a state-wide computer database. If 3 or 4 apparently unconnected reports of lousy driving are lodged by private citizens against a plate, the owner gets a call, counseling or if warranted, a ticket. Once a week, a featured bad driver gets his or her "car" pictured in the local paper. (Thats the best I can do for "feedback" on short notice) Ouch! :

Aloha

Date: Sat, 23 Aug 1997 18:22:41 -1000
From: addrive
To: leon@hawaii.edu
Subject: Driver Training

Dr. Driving,

Your homepage is a great resource. I am a driving instructor and part time psychology student at the University of Otago,New Zealand. In New Zealand we have a higher road toll than the United States (when measured as deaths per number of vehicles or deaths per number of people). I was wondering if your driver psychology techniques have been used as the basis of a course for corporate clients and if so was it successful at reducing the clients accident rate.

Tony & Harula
Advanced Driver Training

Thanks for your reply, Charlie! It's wonderful that you've driven 2 million miles and not had a mishap. Now you can teach this expertise to others!! Leon James (aka "Dr. Driving") Take care, and Drive with Aloha spirit!!

Date: Sun, 20 Jul 1997 09:27:48 -1000
From: NGentry742@aol.com
To: dyc@drdriving.org
Subject: driving

Aloha!

Saw Leon James on c-span. Decided to check out web site. Fundamentally in agreement with principles. I do have a problem with the idea of multi-tasking while driving. I think it might be possible to do other things on restricted access roads where the driver has developed a routine and knowledge of traffic conditions (e.g., a commute). To attempt multi-tasking on non-routinized trips would appear to me as dangerous as trying to watch a tv show while driving. The use of cell phones in particular concerns me. As you are no doubt aware, some countries have banned their use while driving. Have just briefly reviewed your material. Will buy book. I have had a serious interest in driving for about 8 years. Would like to be a positive influence on my Company's drivers. :

Thanks,
Roy Gentry, Ph.D.
Certified Smith System Driving Instructor
El Paso Electric Company

On Sun, 20 Jul 1997 chucks@pacbell.net wrote:

Hello. Great page. How can I get a copy of your book?

Thanks, Chuck

Hi, Chuck,

Date: Fri, 4 Jul 1997 11:34:00 -1000
From: Jason Bryan
To: dyc@drdriving.org
Subject: e-mail #2 to the Dr Driving

I find myself reading your pages again. Usually I am on the receiving side of that blairing horn and rage. I get angry too, and am actually more afraid of getting attacked by an upset driver than I am walking through a tough neighborhood. Pages like yours do help. I continue to try to be considerate to other drivers and remember that I am responsible for my behavior, not theirs. It sometimes takes a real Ghandi attitude to make sure I don't fall into the rut of "doing it because everyone else does".

I'm trying to think up a bumper sticker slogan:

• Idea that I have are:
• Drive Safe, the life you save, may be your own.
• Say Yes to Self-Control
• Random Act of Kindess Day
• Instant good Karma

Anyway, thanks again for taking the time to really address this ongoing problem of people's anger, self-rigteousness, selfishness, and pride. I learned from one of the pages I viewed that the best way to get out of a Road Rage conflict is to just say you're sorry.

I'm not religious or anything, but that whole Jesus forgiveness thing really seems to apply to your advice :-)

Keep up the good work, and know that I support you 100%!!!!!

Warmly,

Jason Bryan

Hi, Jason,

Date: Sun, 10 Aug 1997 12:54:43 -1000
From: Robert Seiden
To: dyc@drdriving.org
Subject: Another challenge to deal with!

I like your web page. You are providing a social service. If only the people who need to see it will ever see it. Intellectually, everything you say makes psychological sense. The real trick is to actualize the principles when one is most vulnerable and scared. Underlying most road rage is fear and most people do not recognize this and cannot deal with the vulnerability. I did not see my pet peeve (perhaps I missed it): People who speed (often over the limit) in the right or slow lane. These people are speed addicts, I believe, who have learned (probably in traffic court school) that police officers are less likely to spot them in the slow lane. The hazard, of course, is that one is less likely to see them when changing to a slower lane. Plus they scare the hell out of me when they whiz by at breakneck speed.

Thank you, Robert! Yes, as you indicate, the real problem is to practice tolerance at the very moment you feel like retaliating for getting you scared. Which is why I recommend that drivers practice being supportive when they're not so upset, so they may acquire the techniques of self-witnessing.

Subject: Re: USA Today "Road Rage" article
From: Justin Loeber
Date: 1997/08/08
Message-Id: <33eb7882.42e5@kisco.com>
Newsgroups: rec.autos.driving

John Henry wrote:

> Just read the editorials in USA today on "Road Rage" (8/6/97) and > thought the counter view offered by Tod Franklin (NMA Communication > director) was pretty good. My problem is the fact that you always hear > road rage and aggressive driving in the same sentence. Aggressive > driving to me has nothing to do with rage. I wonder what others > thoughts are.

I agree with your post, and your definition of "Aggressive Driving." In answer to your question, I think of myself and several close friends when I hear the term. I also think of BMW and Porsche road testers. We are by no means "nasty" people. On the contrary, I am quite relaxed when I drive. Aggressive refers to the manner in which the car is driven and doesn't imply "offensive" driving. Being an aggressive driver requires a level of skill that most "road ragers" probably don't have, which is an interesting phenomenon, wouldn't you say. In my book, aggressive = competent, and a competent driver will not perform dangerous, ignorant maneuvers in heavy traffic. I do my part to bolster the reputation of aggressive drivers by limiting my aggressive driving to the twisty, lightly trafficked roads that I take to work every day. Now how can aggressive be a negative term when there's no one else on the road. On crowded highways I tend to keep it down.

There is also the factor that my BMW is engineered (and modified) to enjoy this style of driving safely. A big rusted Caprice is another story, and would change my driving style if I had to drive one. These are the kind of cars that send me running when I see one coming quick in the rear-view...talk about aggression!

Anyway...there you have it.

Justin
'91 BMW

Subject: Re: USA Today "Road Rage" article
From: kevin@cco.caltech.edu (Kevin A. Scaldeferri)
Date: 1997/08/06
Message-Id: <5sam69$a2a@gap.cco.caltech.edu>
Newsgroups: rec.autos.driving

In article <33e8d7d8.6d91@sprintmail.com>,
John Henry wrote:

>"Aggressive driving" is a subjective assessment of one's driving style. >When I lived in South Florida, there were many people on the road who >would consider "ordinary" driving aggressive. To me it means the degree >to which you pushing your car. A little quicker, a little harder in >the turns, a little faster accelerating and braking and maybe some >"quick" lane changes.

[snip]

>But there are

>some whose agressive driving habits show little or no respect for >others, like cutting into a small gap only to have to slam on the brakes >and panic those behind. This is called rude or inconsiderate driving in >my book.

I agree that there is a language difficulty in talking about these problems since there are two distinct uses of the word "aggressive". I can take an aggressive line through a curve or I can have an aggressive attitute towards other drivers. I think the first is just fine while the second is unacceptable and is the sort of thing that leads to accidents (or collisions or whatever we're supposed to call them now)

>"Road rage" is, for lack of a better definition, the inability to cope >with life.

I usually associate "road rage" with the second usage of "aggressive".

Kevin Scaldeferri
Calif. Institute of Technology

Subject: Re: USA Today "Road Rage" article
From: Gumbyy@tamu.edu (Marc)
Date: 1997/08/08
Message-Id: <33ea8224.4159489@news.tamu.edu>
Newsgroups: rec.autos.driving

>However, the first definition also has a problem. What you call "pushing >the car" and "quick lane changes" also should be considered aggressive >driving because of the effect this style has on others. It increases the >overall stress of driving for everyone when some drive in a way that >involves "quick lane changes" and "pushing the car" around turns, etc.

There is a difference between a quick lane change that doesn't disturb anyone and one that does. If it isn't in the presence of others, it can't be bad-aggressive, because it doesn't affect anyone else. The same as when I take a clover leaf ramp at near maximum traction, there isn't anyone next to me, and the people behind me aren't bothered, and I don't go that fast when my fun will be ruined midway through by running up on someone's tail, so there aren't any "victims" of that "aggressive driving."

>I like to "push the car" and execute "quick lane changes" and I sometimes >do it -- but I remind myself that it's not an acceptable or desirable way >of driving, and thus put pressure on myself to relax and be less >aggressive. All I'm saying here is that I understand and empathize with >the desire to push the car and the lane switching, but that we need to >work against it, make it less acceptable, recognize its problems. Don't >you agree?

No. I think we need to have more stringent requirements to be on the road so that when I see someone make a quick lane change I don't have to fall back on my defensive driving habits and assume them to be a complete moron. If everyone were as competent as I'd like them to be, then I could assume that they know what they are doing, and I wouldn't have any stress over what would have previously looked like an agressive/bonehead maneuver.

Curing the disease is more important that treating the symptoms, IMO, and all that.

Subject: Re: USA Today "Road Rage" article
From: John Henry
Date: 1997/08/08
Message-Id: <33eb5e33.795a@sprintmail.com>
Newsgroups: rec.autos.driving

Marc wrote:

> > "Dr. Driving" said:

> >> John Henry wrote:

Somehow I knew Dr. D would have an opinion here..........

> >However, the first definition also has a problem. What you call "pushing > >the car" and "quick lane changes" also should be considered aggressive > >driving because of the effect this style has on others. It increases the > >overall stress of driving for everyone when some drive in a way that > >involves "quick lane changes" and "pushing the car" around turns, etc.

> There is a difference between a quick lane change that doesn't disturb > anyone and one that does. If it isn't in the presence of others, it can't > be bad-aggressive, because it doesn't affect anyone else. The same as when > I take a clover leaf ramp at near maximum traction, there isn't anyone next > to me, and the people behind me aren't bothered, and I don't go that fast > when my fun will be ruined midway through by running up on someone's tail, > so there aren't any "victims" of that "aggressive driving."

EXACTLY. That was my whole point in the original post. Aggressive driving can exist in the presence of NO ONE. So how can that contribute to "road rage"

"Not acceptable" to who!? To you?, Ok, if so then that's an easy problem to solve (yourself). But what is "acceptable" to all the other drivers on a busy highway isn't ever black and white. That's what Chuck T. and others have been saying, we have to make an assessment through the "car language" and sometimes eye contact of others (and maybe hand getstures). We pick a comfort zone, realize that ours may not be others, and go from there.

No. Not always. We do need to be sensistive to fact that others might be made uneasy by driving that we consider within our safety limits though. "Recognize its problems?", mmmmm, how about "recognize its potential effects". But agressive driving (as the way I drive irrespective others, *not* the way I percieve others driving), by itself, if not directly and uniquely connected with the dreaded "RR" IMO.

Marc wrote:
> No. I think we need to have more stringent requirements to be on the road > so that when I see someone make a quick lane change I don't have to fall > back on my defensive driving habits and assume them to be a complete moron. > If everyone were as competent as I'd like them to be, then I could assume > that they know what they are doing, and I wouldn't have any stress over > what would have previously looked like an agressive/bonehead maneuver.

Better driver ed. would help Marc, but I'm not sure it is a realistic, primary approach. Better enforcement of laws designed to facilitate traffic flow, I think, would be the best start.

Subject: Re: USA Today "Road Rage" article
From: tomlinsc@ix.netcom.com (Chuck Tomlinson)
Date: 1997/08/07
Message-Id: <5sb3oh$ck3@sjx-ixn3.ix.netcom.com>
Newsgroups: rec.autos.driving

John Henry wrote:

>Just read the editorials in USA today on "Road Rage" (8/6/97) and >thought the counter view offerred by Tod Franklin (NMA Communication >director) was pretty good. My problem is the fact that you always hear >road rage and aggresive driving in the same sentance. Aggressive >driving to me has nothing to do with rage. I wonder what others >thoughts are.

I agree that aggressive driving and road rage are quite different, but road rage can lead to a driver attempting (unsuccessfully sometimes) extremely aggressive maneuvers.

>Agressive driving is subjective, all driving is unsafe to >some degree. We drive as we feel is the best compromise between speed >and safety (our goverment tries to help us with this).

Agreed.

>"Road rage" is, for lack of a better definition, the inability to cope >with life.

IMHO, road rage is basically a driver's willingness to use his vehicle to express his anger. A driver may be trembling with rage, but if he doesn't wield his car like a weapon, I wouldn't count that as "road rage".

>[...]But my acid test as to whether I am affecting other drivers >is to ask myself "would I be bothered by someone driving like me if I >were them?". Most often the answer is no.

That is also my acid test. There are a number of maneuvers that I almost never perform (in traffic :-), including quick multiple lane changes and crossing the gore(?) in a merge lane (i.e. merging early). In some cases, I don't think the maneuver is aggressive, but I think other drivers might become nervous if they see it.

I (and probably most of us here) can drive *very* aggressively without any emotion remotely resembling rage. I can merrily keep my car in the outer band of its acceleration circle, without a shred of anger or anxiety. In such cases, however, any nearby drivers will react *far* less merrily to my activity.

>If I weave through a 2 car length gap to change lanes (ALWAYS >signalling), I don't believe that I have affected them as long as they >don't have to brake or even slow down.

I don't really agree here. Many drivers maintain a separation in heavy traffic that puts them on the verge of unease. When you or I enter that gap, we shrink the separation to the point that the following (and perhaps leading) driver is suddenly uneasy.

But... I still make than maneuver occasionally if I "have" to, e.g., if my choice is between missing my exit and safely easing through a tight gap, I'm taking the gap.

>[...]If people >just drove more CONSIDERATELY, agressive or not, many of these problems >would go away.

Agreed. I *always* try to be considerate, and I usually succeed...

>Sorry for the rambling, but I would like to hear others defintitions of >"aggressive driving". What does it mean to you? When you hear that >term, do you immediately think about how OTHERS drive? or how YOU >drive. Interesting thought, huh?

Hearing "aggressive driving" makes me think of my own driving. My natural driving style involves maneuvers that might scare the crap out of nearby drivers unless they assume that I'm fairly skillful.

Of course, a defensive driver usually learns to assume that other drivers are buffoons. I think that's fair, so I usually perform only maneuvers that a buffoon could perform safely. That way, other drivers (who assume I'm a buffoon) won't be startled.

However, there are a few drivers who assume that everyone in a certain category (say, sports car drivers) are not just buffoons, but reckless maniacs. Those folks will be startled no matter what I do, so I don't worry about them.

>And please don't change the header without *MY* permission.

Of course not. I don't want to risk my r.a.d. posting privileges.

Letters from Readers About My Congressional Testimony on
Aggressive Driving and Road Rage -- Part 1

Part 1  |  Part 2  |  Part 3  |  Part 4  |  Part 5 | Text of Congressional Testimony  |  Back to Controversial Issues | Back to DrDriving Home

About Dr. Leon James

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