AAA: Men Are More Aggressive Drivers Than Women

Credit: AAA.

With everyday stress compounded by Covid this year, and now the holiday season, AAA is urging motorists to keep their cool on the road and avoid dangerous habits. It's just released a new driving behavior study the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety that confirms the perception that men tend to speed, tailgate, merge dangerously, and make rude gestures or honk at other drivers more than women. According to the survey , AAA data finds that women also admit to some dangerous driving habits, such as running red lights. Overall, researchers say younger male and female drivers tend to be more aggressive than older drivers. Here's a look at some of the statistics according to AAA's research.

Aggressive Driving Behaviors among Male and Female U.S. Drivers, 2019

• Drove 15 mph over the speed limit on a freeway: Male 52, Female 44.6%.
• Followed the vehicle in front closely to prevent another vehicle from merging: Male 37.8%, Female 29.3%.
• Made rude gesture/honked at another driver: Male 35.4%, Female 28%.
• Drove through a red light: Male 32.2%, Female 30%
• Drove aggressively by switching lanes quickly and/or very close behind another car: Male 31.5%, Female 21%.

Regardless of gender, AAA says nearly 8 in 10 (79%) American drivers demonstrate aggressive behaviors when behind the wheel. Speeding tops the list, with men being the biggest culprit, though women are not far behind. Contrary to common perception, speeding does not save time on the road. The average amount saved on a 5-mile trip, driving 65 mph on a 45 mph posted road, is only 1.9 minutes.

�Speeding, red-light running, and cutting other drivers off can kill you, your passengers, and others sharing the road,� said Jake Nelson, AAA�s director of traffic safety advocacy. �Driving aggressively isn�t worth the risk. When you get behind the wheel, be patient, be kind, and obey traffic laws so everyone gets home safely.�

AAA Rules of the Road:

• Follow posted speed limits.
• Maintain an adequate following distance.
• Use turn signals.
• Allow others to merge.
• Use your high beams responsibly.
• Be considerate in parking lots�Park in one spot, not across multiple spaces. Be careful not to hit cars next to you with your door.

A driver may be stressed or react wrongly to another driver�s action on any given day, and the holidays can add to the strain and anxiety. Introduce the pressures and concerns tied to a global pandemic, and even the calmest, most safety-conscious drivers can find themselves frustrated by other motorists.

�If you encounter an aggressive driver on the road or find your temper rising, remember to slow yourself down, breathe deeply, and safely create distance between you and other motorists. Aggressive drivers are likely not thinking about their potential impact on others until it is too late,� added Nelson.

AAA offers these tips to help drivers manage aggressive driving scenarios:

• Don�t Offend: Never cause another driver to change their speed or direction. That means not forcing another driver to use their brakes or turn the steering wheel in response to something you have done.
• Be Tolerant and Forgiving: The other driver may just be having a really bad day. Assume that it�s not personal.
• Do Not Respond: Avoid eye contact, don�t make gestures, maintain space around your vehicle, and contact 9-1-1 if needed.