Introduction
I. At one time, driving just got us from point A to point B. However, it has evolved into a competitive, and at times, combative, quest on our nation’s roads.
(Transition: The phenomenon of aggressive driving, or road rage, unfortunately, is rising.)
I. Aggressive driving is operating a motor vehicle in a selfish, pushy or impatient manner, which directly affects the drivers around you.
1. Aggressive drivers think of driving as an aggressive sport. They generally blame others and do not see themselves as a problem. They think they are in control when they are not, and admit to being inpatient.
2. There is no way to predict how a driver will react to a given situation. Some behaviors commonly met with road rage include: tailgating, turning without use of signal light, driving below the speed limit, cutting off vehicles when switching lanes, blocking a lane by dropping off or picking up passengers, frequent braking.
3. Road rage typically occurs when a single incident between drivers escalates, and turns into an angry exchange. Situations of aggressive driving range from obscene gestures and insults to violence and murder. Guns, knives, and even vehicles are used to cause injury in the more severe cases.
(Transition: Sound scary? Here are some ways to steer clear of these airheads.
Dealing with aggressive driving
II. The best way to deal with an aggressive driver is to choose not to engage.
1. If a driver behaves combatively, give them plenty of room and do not make eye contact.
2. Trying to get even or teach a lesson to rude drivers is more likely to escalate the conflict, and is rarely worth it.
3. If an aggressive driver follows you, do not head home. It’s much safer to go to a well populated area, such as a store parking lot to attract the attention of others. If you feel you are in danger, you could always cruise down to the Police Station.
4. Likely effectiveness of measures to reduce aggressive driving would consist of:
A. more police assigned to traffic control
B. more frequent ticketing of traffic violations
C. higher fines
D. increased insurance costs.
(Show visual aid and explain)
III. Facts that relate directly to driving in America:
1. According to US department of Transportation, approximately 42,000 people die each year in road deaths. Vehicle crashes are the number 1 cause of death for young children, teens, and young adults, and the primary cause of head and spinal injuries for everyone. These facts have been true for a long time and reflect how huge this problem is for our society.
2. On CarTipsandMore.com they claim that there are approximately 6,335,000 car crashes in the United States each year. It is unknown exactly how many of those crashes are caused by aggressive driving.
3. According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), the U.S. incidents of road rage have risen by 51 percent since 1990.
IV. Alternative method of driving: Defensive driving
1. A defensive driver is a person who drives with care, always alert, and drives under times of high pressure with control.
2. While driving defensively such person obeys the following
A. Watches for other drivers that may lack skill or have an improper attitude
B. Does not become involved in an accident or a close call because of weather, road conditions, traffic, or the actions of pedestrians and other drivers,
C. Gives up the right of way to prevent an accident
D. Gives driving full attention. Dangerous distractions like talking to passengers, answering a phone call, adjusting a car stereo, or eating should be avoided.
E. Learn to drive in different situations like highway driving, night driving, or driving under carious weather conditions.
F. Continually be alert for accident-producing situations in advance to take defensive actions.
G. Obey the rules of the road.
(Transition: This brings us to our conclusion.)
Conclusions
I. Aggressive drivers create an unsafe driving environment through their inconsiderate self-centered driving habits.
II. Drivers often commit multiple violations, including following too closely, changing lanes in an erratic or unsafe manner, signaling lane changes improperly, driving over the posted speed limit, and failing to obey traffic control devices.
III. Because of these driving behaviors, hundreds of deaths, thousands of injuries and millions of dollars of property damage occur each year. So with all of that being said, I encourage all of you to drive defensively.
So I encourage all of you to relax or pull over next time you see Paul screaming by. You must understand, some people never learn.
Bibliography
Advice: How to Avoid Road Rage November 6, 2004
http://roadragers.com/road-rage-advice.htm
Aggressive Driving November 6, 2004
http://www.cartipsandmore.com/aggressive_driving.html
Registered Members, login
Join now, it's free
Property of EssaySwap.com
