Members Respond to AAA’s Aggressive Driving Survey

Does it seem like more drivers are cutting you off, honking, tailgating and making interesting hand gestures every time you get behind the wheel? You are not imagining it.

In a recent AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety study a whopping 96% of respondents admitted to driving aggressively in the past year. The survey pool included participants in several focus groups and more than 3,000 drivers. Topping the list of aggressive driving behaviors were passing on the right and speeding up when a yellow traffic light is about to turn red. Road rage incidents are more prevalent also with 11% admitting to acting violent against another driver.

Members visiting the AAA Northeast branch in East Meadow, New York, had no trouble believing the survey’s findings. Driving is becoming increasingly stressful, they noted, citing behaviors that bothered them the most and admitting to sometimes slipping into bad habits themselves. Here’s what they had to say.

“I’m surprised by the number of people who are in such a hurry — people are zooming through changing lights — it’s dangerous. If the light changes, (and they are behind you) they beep immediately.” As for her own behavior: “Maybe I honk if I’m irritated.”

— Traci Casalino

“I’m not surprised by the findings. Sometimes I wait when a light turns green to make sure the intersection is clear and no one is coming, and people behind me are honking. People are feeling stressed, they need to hurry. Everyone is in a rush to get nowhere — they have no patience. I hate when people cut you off to get to a red light. No, I don’t drive aggressively — I mind my own business and only honk if someone is about to crash into me.”

— Juan Cruz

“I’ve noticed a lot of poor driving. People are not signaling, they are not caring about the rules of the road. I dislike when people are cutting in front of me, especially when several people are doing it, switching lanes left, right, center at high speeds. In my younger years, I was more aggressive, I did more speeding. But you outgrow that, you mature, you realize you have a lot more to lose.”

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— Raymond Pagano

“That’s pretty surprising (96%), but I guess people feel urgency to get to places and they don’t leave themselves enough time. I’m irritated by people weaving in and out of traffic, and a lot of people don’t merge safely and don’t wait until they clear the other car. I try not to speed — I only do it if the road is empty. I wouldn’t put other people at risk. But I’ve seen people drive 100 mph on a crowded road.”

— Daniel Vanefsky

“Part of it could be based on a person’s perspective, as to whether they are aggressive or not. But maybe people are in more of a rush. When I drive in New York City, it’s so congested and people are always trying to cut you off. So when I drive in the city, I sometimes prevent people from merging.”

— Sue Damassia

“I’m not at all surprised — I agree 100%. It goes back to the way of life — the world is changing dramatically. I drive all day, I drive a lot in the city, and sometimes, I find myself driving aggressively in traffic. It’s also because of the volume of traffic There is no reason driving 2 miles should take 20 minutes. I am definitely guilty of going faster than I should and changing lanes. I have to remind myself to settle down. I hate people who tailgate, especially if they are weaving in and out (of traffic). I’m always afraid of a chain accident. It seems like anyone who drives slower than you is an idiot, and anyone who drives faster is a lunatic. But we are the ones always driving at the optimum speed.”

— Ana Camacho

If you are wondering whether your own driving behavior has crossed the line, check out Are You Guilty of Aggressive Driving? and learn about ways to curb aggressive driving habits.

Which aggressive driving behaviors irritate you the most? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Ellen R. Delisio

Ellen is a content producer for AAA Northeast, covering automotive, finance, public affairs and electric vehicle news. She is a former newspaper reporter with experience writing for print and online publications about everything from higher education to sustainability. She recently returned to her native Long Island after living in Connecticut for 20-plus years, and has never met a beach she didn’t like.