Message Monday - I scream, you scream, we all slow down
It’s a very busy time of year for many Iowa families. School events, preparing for harvest, and any number of other late summer/early fall activities can make you feel rushed to get where you’re going.
Rushing around and feeling stressed can lead to aggressive driving. A recent study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that nearly 80 percent of drivers expressed significant anger, aggression or road rage behind the wheel at least once in the previous year. Previous research by the AAA Foundation found that from 2003 to 2007, over half of fatal crashes involved at least one driver who performed a potentially aggressive action.
When you’re on the road, make sure you take enough time to get where you’re going safely or if you cannot leave early, try adjusting your mindset to be okay with arriving a few minutes late. Driving aggressively to save a few minutes simply isn’t worth the risk to your safety and everyone else who shares the road with you.
Here’s a look at what Florida is doing to combat aggressive driving - https://youtu.be/PC9u4qFdFnc
For 2019, there have been 215 fatalities reported. That’s an increase of 11 since last Monday. The 2018 fatality count stands at 319. This is subject to change as law enforcement reports are completed. To see statistics published daily by the Office of Driver Services, go to the daily fatality report at https://www.iowadot.gov/mvd/stats/daily.pdf.