Aggressive Driving in Maryland: Facts, Trends, and Prevention, Study notes of Law

Download Aggressive Driving in Maryland: Facts, Trends, and Prevention and more Study notes Law in PDF only on Docsity! 2018 Aggressive Driving Program Area Brief 1 AGGRESSIVE DRIVING IN MARYLAND THE FACTS Aggressive driving is defined as: having one of the following values in both the primary and secondary contributing circumstance fields: Failed to yield right of way; Failed to obey stop sign; Failed to obey traffic signal; Failed to obey other traffic control; Failed to keep right of center; Failed to stop for school bus; Wrong way on one way; Exceed speed limit; Too fast for conditions; Followed too closely; Improper lane change; Improper passing. • Motor vehicle crashes are a huge threat to public health. Over the past decade, the number of crashes reported on the nation’s roadways has declined annually. However, motor vehicle 1,606 4,526 0 2,000 4,000 6,000 8,000 10,000 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 N u m b er o f C ra sh es Year Maryland Aggressive Driving Total and Injury Crashes, 2013-2017 Injury Crashes Total Crashes 48 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 N u m b er o f Fa ta lit ie s Year Maryland Aggressive Driving Fatal Crashes, 2013-2017 Fatal Crashes 2018 Aggressive Driving Program Area Brief 2 crashes continue to be a leading cause of death in the United States1. In 2016, approximately 7.3 million crashes were reported; approximately 44 percent resulted in an injury or fatality2. • Injuries and fatalities are high among aggressive driving crashes. On average, all crashes resulting in injury or death accounted for approximately 32 percent of the total crashes. However, among aggressive-related crashes, 41 percent resulted in an injury or fatality, amounting to, on average, close to 3,000 injuries and deaths per year. • Metropolitan areas have the highest concentration of aggressive driving crashes3. Between 2013 and 2017, over 85 percent of all aggressive driving crashes occurred in the Baltimore and Washington metropolitan areas. On average, Baltimore County accounted for nearly 19 percent of Maryland’s aggressive driving crashes. Also, Prince George’s County accounted for 14 percent of all fatal crashes related to aggressive driving. • Aggressive driving crashes are lowest during the beginning of the year. Although spread relatively evenly throughout the year, aggressive driving crashes rose slowly from March through June. Total crashes related to aggressive driving peaked during the late fall months (October, November, and December). Some of the most severe crashes resulting in death occurred most often in June, August, and October. • Weekdays and afternoons to early evening hours experience the highest number of aggressive crashes. Nearly half of all aggressive driving crashes occurred between Wednesday and Friday. On average, crashes increased toward the end of the work week and declined during the weekends. However, nearly half of all fatal crashes related to aggressive driving occurred on the weekend (Friday–Sunday). Aggressive driving crashes were highest between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. 1 CDC National Vital Statistics Reports – 10 Leading Causes of Death, United States, 2016 2 NHTSA Traffic Safety Facts – Overview DOT HS 812 016 3 Baltimore Metropolitan area is comprised of Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford, and Howard Counties, and Baltimore City, as designated by the Baltimore Metropolitan Council. The Washington Metropolitan Area is defined as Charles, Frederick, Montgomery, and Prince George's Counties, as designated by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments 52.0% 34.1% 13.9% 0.0% 10.0% 20.0% 30.0% 40.0% 50.0% 60.0% Baltimore Metropolitan Washington Metropolitan All Others Pe rc en ta ge Regional Areas Maryland Aggressive Driving Crashes, 2013-2017 by Region 2018 Aggressive Driving Program Area Brief 5 SOME CAUSE OF AGGRESSIVE DRIVING Aggressive driving is caused by driver frustration, impatience, and anger, which lead to selfish, irritated, bold, or pushy behavior in a vehicle. Sources of driver feelings are many: • Drivers have very busy lives and too little time; • Traffic tie-ups and roadwork is increasing and never-ending; • Drivers may be stressed from work or pressures at home; and • Over the past 20 years, traffic on area roads has nearly doubled. Crowded roads encourage aggressive driving. Fender-benders, potholes, rain, and sun glare compound the problem and can cause chain reactions. Aggression is contagious. Drivers act aggressively because others are doing so and passing on poor driving behavior. The more crowded the roads, the worse the problem. A Temple University study in 2011 found: • People who perceive their car as a reflection of their self-identity are more likely to behave aggressively on the road and break the law. • People with compulsive tendencies are more likely to drive aggressively with disregard for potential consequences. • The importance of one’s possessions is linked to increased aggressive driving tendencies. • Young people who are in the early stages of forming their self-identity might feel the need to show off their car and driving skills more than others. They may also be overconfident and underestimate the risks involved in reckless driving. • Those who admit to aggressive driving also admit to engaging in more incidents of law-breaking. • A sense of being pressed for time and under pressure leads to more aggressive driving. MARYLAND’S AGGRESSIVE DRIVING LAWS Maryland’s Aggressive Driving law (TR§21-901.2) states that at least three of the following violations must be observed to charge a driver with aggressive driving: • Traffic lights with steady indication; • Overtaking and passing; • Passing on right; • Driving on laned roadways; • Following too closely; • Failure to yield right-of-way; or • Exceeding a maximum speed limit or posted maximum speed limit. Fines for aggressive driving are $370 and five points on your license. 2018 Aggressive Driving Program Area Brief 6 MARYLAND’S ADAPT CAMPAIGN ADAPT (Aggressive Drivers Are Public Threats) is an aggressive driving enforcement campaign that combines a focused media campaign with active traffic law enforcement. On average, 3 out of every 10 crashes, are caused by an aggressive driver. This behavior causes the driver to be a danger to themselves and others. ADAPT encourages drivers to recognize aggressive behavior and take control of their driving. Participating law enforcement agencies target aggressive drivers by conducting focused traffic safety enforcement “waves” over a six-month period. The education portion takes place through the media that includes billboards, radio, and television public service announcements directed at the target audience—drivers between the ages of 18 and 34. Media for ADAPT utilized a combination of outdoor advertising, radio messaging, and spots on cable television including: public service announcements (PSAs), spokesperson radio and TV interviews, radio and TV weekend sponsorships, online streaming spots, and social media contests. For more information visit: http://towardzerodeathsmd.com/aggressive-driving/. AGGRESSIVE DRIVING SAFETY TIPS How to Avoid Being An Aggressive Driver • Allow more travel time to get to your destination. If possible, alter your schedule to avoid driving during peak highway congestion periods. • Come to a full stop at red lights and stop signs. Avoid running yellow lights. • Let other drivers merge with you. Obey posted speed limits. • Don’t follow other drivers too closely. • Don’t drive when you’re angry, upset, or tired.
 • Give others the benefit of the doubt; be polite, courteous, and forgiving. • Remember – you can’t control traffic, but you can control your driving and your emotions. How to Avoid Aggressive Drivers • Avoid eye contact. Stay calm and relaxed.
 • Get out of their way and steer clear of them on the road. • Don’t block the passing lane, especially if you are driving slower than most of the traffic. • Make every attempt to get out of the way safely. Don’t escalate the situation. • Put your pride in the back seat. Don’t challenge an aggressive driver by speeding up or attempting to hold your position in your travel lane.
 • Ignore harassing gestures and name calling, and do not return them.
 • Report aggressive drivers to the appropriate law enforcement authorities by providing a vehicle description, location, license plate number, and direction of travel. Pull over and dial #77 on your cell phone to report. 2018 Aggressive Driving Program Area Brief 7 WHO TO CONTACT ABOUT AGGRESSIVE DRIVING IN MARYLAND MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION MOTOR VEHICLE ADMINISTRATION • Contact: MDOT MVA’s Press Information at 410-762-5188