Get up to speed with our Essential California newsletter, sent six days a week. Why is violent behavior spiking as pandemic ebbs The safest countries to drive in are the Scandinavian countries, no surprise there, and the UK. from Lisbon on 03 Jun 2022, 07:22. By J You can always speak up and ask them not to honk, for instance. In 2020 Portugal had by far the most traffic deaths of any country in Western Europe! Is it because theyre driving The Ultimate Driving Machine Furthermore, it is a difficult situation when traffic signals on national highways stop working. How Much Does a Bucket Truck Weigh Why Consider Weigh. Contrary to any clichs, we believe that there are many Truck drivers who work for a particular company must take a lot of calls while on the road. In my town, very few drivers, if any, stop at a stop sign. Why Are Truck Drivers So Angry & Aggressive? Most drivers use their indicators, I didnt see any crazy overtaking. I find two problems here. Allowing people to treat the toll roads like the Autobahn only reinforces the idea that there are no road rules and people are free to drive any way they please. Other responses showed a slight difference:32.2% of men reported driving through a red light compared to 30% of women. I do also see many fine drivers, but overall I'm stunned by how many poor driving tactics I see routinely. They must get up at night to perform their duties, which is why. If drivers' would just obey the lane rules (where possible) and INDICATE - P L E A S E !!! Why Driving Makes Us So Mad | Psychology Today However, even though there were statistical differences between men and women, the survey indicated a high incidence of troublesome driving overall: nearly 8 in 10 (79%) American drivers admitted to aggressive behaviors when behind the wheel. Their eyes remain red from lack of sleep, which can also increase the risk of a collision with their cars. Twice as likely to say they texted while driving. On secondary roads, such as the EN125 in the Algarve, the road authorities have implemented flexible posts along the middle of the road to prevent overtaking in dangerous places. Load Motorcycle Hands shaking, Gowen told herself to stay in the car. People are very frequently highly critical of driving in Portugal, but the facts dont support their opinions. For instance, a speeding, lane-swerving driver may be accelerating quickly to get someone to the hospital. Lt. Adam Loo with the LAPDs South Traffic Division said his officers have noticed an uptick in poor driver attitude.. This point is easily proved by observing driving on the motorways. 05/06/2019 22:23 I know its been done to death but Im so frustrated with the aggression of other drivers! As a result, when they fail to meet the companys standards, drivers are under pressure on congested roads. Watch the vehicles around you the next time you are on a busy highway. By Wes As Wes mentioned, there's also an issue with today's 'screaming mad rush' society where people want to live their lives at breakneck speed and don't have any patience. elsewhere people can be just as bad in or out of the car :-). info@theportugalnews.com, 2023 The Portugal News - Established 1977. A new survey by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety shows that America's worst drivers reacted to the pandemic by driving much more dangerously and by driving more, which partly explains why traffic fatalities and the rate of fatalities per mileincreased during the pandemic. types of drivers. Porto drivers Excessive horn honking, tailgating, concealing gestures, or shouting and swearing are a few examples. Privileged to have seen, firsthand, Portugal progress from a dictatorship (1974) into a stable democracy. To other drivers, such tardiness in responding can come across as rudeness. Our research finds that higher-risk motorists accounted for a greater share of drivers during the pandemic than before it, said Dr. David Yang, the foundation's executive director. Send us your comments or opinion on this article. The truck drivers are annoying because they are so irate from not getting enough sleep. Everyone tries to run first as soon as signals indicate that you can move. Allow the aggressive driver to have their way while you take a few moments to gather your thoughts before getting back on the road. Now, he fields requests at least monthly. If you come across this situation, avoid eye contact and defensive postures. Aggressive drivers are likely not thinking about their potential impact on others until it is too late.. WebKey points. from USA on 02 Jun 2022, 18:35, Once again the author is blind anything Portugal.He constantly promotes it is all great. The statistics given by the Euro Road Safety website do not support the opinions of the author of the article. Either practice patience or leave for your destination earlier. Copyright 2023 Endgame360 Inc. All Rights Reserved. There isnt a single justification for any driver to engage in road rage, but occasionally, drivers who are already irritated become worse as a result of what they encounter from other drivers. from Beiras on 22 Mar 2023, 19:59, In Opinion The vehicles in Portugal where i live (central) Coimbra area are the the worst drivers errr! Privacy Policy. Speeding tops the list, with men being the biggest culprit, though women are not far behind, the AAA said, stressing that contrary to common perception, speeding does not save time. WebThe science behind why people drive aggressively More bad behavior behind the wheel is not just in your mind, aggressive driving is on the rise in Milwaukee and around the country. I've lived and driven in Europe, North America, Asia and Australia. But I came from NZ where roads deaths average 360 per year in a population of 5 million. They spend the majority of their time on the road while idling in lanes because of the congested roads, which prevents them from meeting the needs of their respective companies. All rights reserved. The following tips on how to stay safe whenever you come across an aggressive driver have been provided by experts. from Porto on 03 Jun 2022, 11:35. Even worse, because they worked long hours, they were perceived as being uneducated and smelling bad. As a result of the potential for elevated tensions on the road, it urges motorists to keep their cool and avoid dangerous driving habits, noting that even the calmest, most safety-conscious drivers can find themselves frustrated by other motorists.. Aside from being more affordable than other vehicles, it has a long lifespan of up to 15 years with proper maintenance. Is the writer serious? WebPickup truck drivers are infamously aggressive. The answer, as one new study suggests, is because they may actually perceive you that way for real. Your email address will not be published. They spend the majority of the time figuring out the exact route, and because of their obnoxious behavior, the car starts to move at full speed. 99 percent of drivers stop to allow you to cross. The general rule seems to be, the bigger the bike, the more sensible the driver. they observed they found that the higher-end cars were more likely to not come not understand why some drivers are so aggressive She most recently covered immigration issues as a Metro reporter and, before that, served as Arizona bureau chief and national correspondent in the Southwest. It was the second time during the COVID-19 pandemic that shed had to contend with an overtly angry driver. WebOr even worse, hurt someone. 01-09-2019, 08:05 PM Henna 12,344 posts, read 25,439,294 times Reputation: 10330 Quote: Originally Posted by Cida 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, Nelson added. Maybe they're trying to impress the riders? Also keep in mind that if you are caught driving aggressively, you could receive a sentence of three to five years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000. - 20 Jun 2023, 18:01. I did not notice any "bad" drivers. from Other on 03 Jun 2022, 19:01. If music isnt working, try turning off your phone. Motor bikers thinking (not all) thinking their on the racetrack and atrocious speeding through villages and not observing the speed limits..car drivers also. Defensive driving is a must. Its challenging to drive a truck. They can fight with other drivers on the road due to their erratic sleeping patterns throughout the day. I do get concerned dangerously short feeder junctions on to fast dual carriageways in Madeira , but thats more down to the topography, and driving in rain, where perhaps some Portuguese drivers could benefit from taking more account of driving conditions in hand. By Greg Does he have a weapon?. Here what I see is ppl stopping as the exception (I give those the best treatment-run while I smile and bow my head), my precious 1%. Additionally, when other drivers pass them and honk their horns, their anger issues will be aggravated. They are monsters. She was less than 20 metres from me when she did. He's also the writer and producer of "Murder at the Food Coop," which was a hit at the NYC Fringe Festival in 2016, and SUV: The Musical in 2007. Routine tailgating at high speed, pulling out at junctions and roundabouts to oncoming traffic, accelrating when traffi c lights turn to red not to mention overtaking in continous lines on roads. from Other on 03 Jun 2022, 11:03. The BMW Twin Scroll Turbo Solves 2 Big Problems with Turbocharged Cars, Heres the Worlds First Flying Electric Car Certified to Fly. For a more detailed breakdown of the survey, click here. Package and theyre trying desperately to dodge every car to keep a safe When someone hesitates to go, you gun it like it is a yellow light (which is also dangerous and a serious no-no). While moving them on congested roads, the larger ones are also challenging to take off and turn. The law requires you to behave in one way, the insurance companies apply another rule. How Many Miles Can a Truck Last Choose High Mileage Truck. For one straightforward reason: inertia. Transport Dirt Bike drivers so aggressive? People are heading someplace. Due to inadequate sleep, the truck drivers also have poor eating habits. answer as to why BMW drivers pull off the maneuvers that they do on a daily basis. What does aggressive driving mean? Why Do So Many People Drive Pickup Trucks? - 29 Jun 2023, 13:01, In Opinion We recently returned from a wonderful holiday in Portugal our first visit. A motorist may say, He cut me off. But maybe you were just in that other motorists blind spot.. I don't believe it. WebRoad Rage & Aggressive Driving. Drivers may respond by using aggressive driving behaviors, Rattled, she kept driving until she lost him, she said. My own car was severly damaged last August resulting in over 4000 of damage when a PORTUGUESE idiot failed to stop, his excuse, "I thought you were turning into my road", despite the fact that I was not indicating, something else that the Portuguese rarely do. Judging from numerous comments online, the expatriate community in general are highly critical of Portuguese drivers (some have a tendency to be critical of most things in Portugal). They weave in and out of traffic, drive recklessly through intersections, and tailgate other vehicles. In the worlds (and i have the travel experience to make this comment) Tailgating, speeding in villages, dangerous overtaking. - 05 Jul 2023, 19:01, In News, Portugal, Property Drivers using mobiles - very frequent. The dual carriageways allow drivers to overtake at will, and personally, and I do stress personally, I very rarely see bad driving on these roads. Some people, they shoot their gun.. My tactic is to slow down until they decide to overtake, very p**sed off! I am sure most of you have read the ever recurring criticisms, they dont use their indicators, overtake recklessly etc. 30 Comments. Before the pandemic, he received requests for a training seminar every couple of months. Seriously, 99% drivers stopping is AWESOME by any standards, maybe you could ask those drivers to educate the ones here in Lisbon, a crash course in basic circulation/traffic rules? - 30 Jun 2023, 15:06, In Opinion People are telling me over and over again that road rage is on the increase.. Drivers are under pressure to carry out their duties properly because they want their work done on time. By HDL 7 Surprising Signs of Aggressive Driving - I Drive Safely The average amount saved on a 5-mile trip, driving 65 mph on a 45 mph posted road, the safety group said, is only 1.9 minutes. "Entitled" drivers (Mercedes, BMW, Volvo, Tesla, Audi) exceeding the speed limits WebAverage motor vehicle insurance prices rose by 17.1% in May versus a year ago, according to the consumer price index. Whichever country you are driving in, you will see you fair share of bad or irresponsible drivers, its not restricted to Portugal. There are various reasons Additionally, they must answer calls when they come in because sometimes they are for urgent business. Not everyone likes these but they do a very good job. But women also engage in some dangerous driving habits, like running red lights, and overall, younger male and female drivers tend to be more aggressive than older drivers. Berzansky, 42, said the incident left her shaken. and How to Avoid So they use their van as a weapon to gain that power over you., @media(min-width:0px){#div-gpt-ad-andersonvans_com-leader-3-0-asloaded{max-width:300px!important;max-height:250px!important;}}if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'andersonvans_com-leader-3','ezslot_8',122,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-andersonvans_com-leader-3-0');With such dangerous personality traits, they become furious easily. Just today there was a work truck from a very well know garden center that is on the N125 following dangerously close to the car in front of it. Accidents are caused, they don't just happen for no reason. In order to prevent product damage from high-speed movement and unintentional collisions with other vehicles, they must also maintain product quality while driving. Stuck in single line traffic on secondary roads, their impatience can get the better of them and lead to unwise overtaking. I fully expect to be bombarded with people giving examples of bad driving they have experienced. In fact, one study found that pickup truck drivers are three times more likely to get into an accident than car drivers. Ive seen GNR vehicles driving dangerously themselves pulling the exact same unsafe driving tricks as the other drivers on the road. Tap to enable a layout that focuses on the article. Monster Truck Just today a driver pulled out right in front of me from a side road. But that type of driving behavior always begs the question, Why?. Its almost ridiculous.. infractions in more expensive cars In our crosswalk study, none of the cars in Truck On Monday, the Cargo Truckers Solidarity Union issued a statement calling for an extension of the Safe Trucking Freight Rates System, which is set to expire at the end of this year. When you get behind the wheel, be patient, be kind, and obey traffic laws so everyone gets home safely., While aggressive driving behavior is an everyday occurrence, it is compounded due to the pandemic and the holiday season, the safety group said. Long distance lorry drivers in the UK are constantly causing accidents while using their mobiles, sometimes even texting. We have been visiting Portugal regularly for nearly 2 decades, driving mainly between Lisbon and Portalegre, occasionally Faro to Portalegre. They are driving too fast, swerving in and out of traffic, and acting like they own the road. No doubt I will get extensive responses telling me of their personal observations, but I challenge you to look around, and be honest with yourself, driving has improved. Because you need to check all the parameters, driving large trucks is more difficult than most people realize. We are just not being very kind to each other right now, and its influencing how we behave on the road, said Martin, who has a series of TikTok posts about how to deal with, and avoid, road rage. lane, and everyone else drives like a normal human being. Other than that Im more than happy to drive on the road with Portuguese drivers, obviously accepting the lesser use of indicators and the occasional local tailgater. In the phone video, a woman clad in a green velour jumpsuit and dark sunglasses, appeared to hurl insults and waved her hands wildly, flashing the finger multiple times. Road rage, regardless of its origin, can have disastrous and even fatal effects. Tip a Tow Truck Driver Those skills are perishable, and if you dont use it enough you lose those motoring skills.. Why are drivers so aggressive And, more importantly, why are BMW This is because other people are impatient and cannot wait while their cars are making noise. Should they be looking closer to the equator instead? CHICAGO --- As the pandemic begins to taper off and the country opens up after a year and a half of restrictions, a surprising downside has emerged: an increase in violence and aggressive behavior. WebThere are way too many accidents here, usually because someone was being impatient or driving distracted. The levels of congestion lead motorists to drive more aggressively. I don't feel that a lot in Porto but it's creeping in for sure. I am seventy five years old and have been driving for fifty five. Otherwise, I believe we need to ditch our preconceived ideas about drivers in Portugal and accept things have improved. Not expats complaining about something else in Portugal. A new analysis examined aggressive driving based on gender, age and behavior type. People dont know how to drive in traffic circles, By jeff Sorry to Portuguese drivers but things need to improve drastically. Transport Kayak Driving aggressively isnt worth the risk. There are bad drivers everywhere in the world. More than 44 percent more likely to speed on highways and residential streets. WebThe behaviours exhibited by these aggressive types include: leaning on the horn and flashing their lights at people they believe are driving too slowly; tailgating and ", The survey does not explainwhy already dangerous drivers got more reckless, but it does cite prior reports that enforcement dropped dramatically during the early days of the pandemic. In Portugal as a driver it is your fault if you hit a pedestrian even if they are drunk and run out in front of you. from USA on 04 Jun 2022, 05:25. - 03 Jun 2023, 11:02. - 05 Jul 2023, 18:05, In Opinion distance when changing lanes? Thats among the largest annual increases of any consumer A new survey by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety shows that America's worst drivers reacted to the pandemic by driving much more Why are they so aggressive on the road? These ones get my special wave in the review mirror, I flip them a finger, or 2, if both hands are free, and curiously, as I do some slow down! WebAny unsafe driving behavior, performed deliberately and with ill intention or disregard for safety, can constitute aggressive driving. Marla Paul. Do you think Portuguese drivers are the most dangerous. Heres the truth about van drivers being so aggressive:, Van drivers, like any other road user, can become aggressive due to various emotional challenges and bad personality traits., While most people falsely think that all van drivers are habitually aggressive, thats an old-fashioned stereotype that perhaps borrows from the UK phrase white van man., @media(min-width:0px){#div-gpt-ad-andersonvans_com-medrectangle-4-0-asloaded{max-width:250px!important;max-height:250px!important;}}if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'andersonvans_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_4',104,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-andersonvans_com-medrectangle-4-0');Sarah Kennedy, a BBC Radio 2 presenter, came up with the phrase in 1997 to describe the type of driver who cut her up in her morning commute to work., Id like to think its become so mainstream, and you may have heard of it in certain parts of the US too., So buckle up, and lets tackle the elephant in the room., In all honesty, van drivers come from all walks of life, and you may encounter an aggressive one on any road., Here is what can make a van driver so aggressive:, Lets be blunt: nothing frustrates a road user more than a congested highway. They cant finish the other eight hours of a full day. Road rage: why normal people become harmful on the roads All in all I wonder how Portugal have been allowed in the European union with these disgraceful figures when the world is shouting GREEN at all people. I havent been tailgated nor have I seen anyone being tailgated. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. I do think that many peoples worldview has shifted to The people around me are bad. By * people into car groups, we would say there are three types of people: Prius Additionally, truck drivers exhibit irate behavior toward other road users as they wait for hours in the lane. The action would be a reliable one. It just so happens that most of them are piloting a 3 Series, or an X5, or even worse, an M3. I have been living in Aldoar for nearly three years. Albert Lamonte helps his son, Marcel Lamonte, 2, place flowers and a pinwheel at a makeshift memorial for a 6-year-old boy who was shot and killed during a road rage incident on the 55 Freeway in Orange on May 21. - 25 Jun 2023, 11:05, In News, Portugal Why Are Pickup Truck Drivers So Aggressive? - My Auto Machine So far in 2021, someone has been shot and killed or injured in a road rage incident on average every 18 hours in the United States, according to the study. She was stopped at a red light and the motorist behind her leaned hard on his horn. They are under stress and angry already about a lot of things, Martin said.