Health Newsfeed # 873
CONTROLLING ROAD RAGE
Getting behind the wheel is an accelerating public health hazard in the U.S. Federal officials estimate that as many as one-third of the crashes on America's highways are the result of road rage; dangerous, aggressive drivers who speed, tailgate, make obscene gestures and ignore basic driving rules.
Johns Hopkins psychology professor Dr. Mark Ginsberg thinks the problem is fueled by a
lack of patience with any kind of delay. From ATM's to e-mail, today's era of instant
gratification makes some drivers lose self-control in slower traffic. Ginsberg says when
confronted with an aggressive driver, slow down and back off.
Staring, making faces, making gestures, rolling your window down and screaming at some-
body, pounding your fist against the steering wheel are all the kinds of behaviors that could
provoke others who perhaps are experiencing rage themselves...to have that rage escalate. :15
The majority of aggressive drivers are young, poorly educated males. But Dr. Ginsberg says road rage cuts across class lines...and a car can become a weapon in anyone's hands.
At the Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, I'm Tom Haederle reporting.
Copyright 1997 The Johns Hopkins University. All rights reserved.
