Message Monday - Summer heat making you crazy? Drive chill
A range of issues from COVID-19 health concerns to social issues to uncertainty related to schools openings in the fall are causing stress for many of us. Some researchers have found that hot temperatures that make us uncomfortable may lead already irritated people to lash out.
When it’s hot and sticky outside, minor provocations – like forgetting to signal or cutting off another vehicle – are more likely to quickly escalate into dangerous retaliatory behavior (like tailgating) or even outright violence.
In Iowa last year, 182 people lost their lives in vehicle crashes where law enforcement cited aggressive driving (speeding, tailgating, etc.) as a factor in the crash.
As summer temperatures rise, so do people’s tempers. https://www.psychologicalscience.org/news/motr/does-hot-weather-fuel-road-rage.html#:~:text=As%20summer%20temperatures%20rise%2C%20so,more%20aggressive%20on%20hotter%20days.
For 2020, there have been 130 fatalities reported. That is an increase of eight since last Monday. 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