As I was driving about 30 miles an hour on Route 209 in Nesquehoning the other day, a car came up behind me and started tailgating me. I was going 5 mph above the posted speed limit, which, admittedly, seems to be slow, but it is what it is, and I have heard that Nesquehoning police are sticklers when it comes to speeding along the borough's main drag, also known as Catawissa Street.

The motorist tailgated me for two blocks and started flashing his lights. I pulled over to let him pass. As he did, he gave me the finger, mouthed something that I thankfully could not translate, and he quickly zoomed out of sight, squealing his wheels as he did.Another impatient, aggressive and very dangerous driver!Although I was steamed and uttered a few choice words to myself, I did not overreact and resumed my trip.I have found in the past several years that episodes such as this one are becoming more commonplace.As part of its annual Traffic Safety Culture Index, the AAA earlier this month released the results of a broad-based survey it had done about this chronic and recurring danger. Researchers surveyed 2,705 licensed drivers ages 16 and older.More than half of these drivers (51 percent) admitted to tailgating, 47 percent said they had yelled at another driver, 45 percent said they had honked their horn to show anger, annoyance or impatience, 33 percent had made angry gestures, 24 percent tried to block a lane change and 12 percent said they had cut off another vehicle. Scariest of all, 3 percent had admitted to hitting another vehicle with their vehicle.According to the survey, nine out of 10 motorists believe that aggressive drivers are a serious safety threat.AAA makes these suggestions so you can best avoid getting yourself or your passengers into a dangerous road-rage situation:• When switching lanes, first check that you have space, then use your signal.• Move to the right if you're driving more slowly than surrounding traffic.• Avoid tailgating, and slow down if you are following too closely.• Steer clear of speeding, tailgating and otherwise aggressive drivers.• Avoid making eye contact with angry drivers; they may see it as a challenge.• Contact the police if a situation escalates and becomes serious.• Don't take another driver's actions personally.• Let go of your pride. "Winning" is not worth risking your safety.• Seek professional help if you think you have a serious behavioral issue.Safety experts agree that aggressive driving can easily lead to vehicular homicide because the driver was operating negligently. They say that aggressive driving includes speeding, which increases the risk of getting into an accident. This can lead to death for others and yourself.According to the Governors' Highway Safety Association, the term "aggressive driving" covers a multitude of unsafe driver behaviors. Each state can set its own laws to define what constitutes aggressive driving and stipulates the related fines and penalties. An organization representative says often a driver must demonstrate more than one action to be considered "aggressive."Just 15 states have addressed aggressive driving in their legislatures; 11 have passed laws specifically defining aggressive driving actions. California and Utah have amended existing reckless driving laws to include "aggressive driving" actions. Pennsylvania has passed a resolution against aggressive driving, and New Jersey enforces aggressive driving under existing laws.The Association believes the public's incessant need for speed is a major part of this issue. "We live in a society that runs in high gear. Is it any wonder that when we move about our communities in motor vehicles, we often do so at speeds that are higher than are legal or safe?" the association asks in its study of the problem.We are pleased that many local police departments participate in seminars that deal with aggressive drivers. We also urge local departments to continue their vigilance of drivers who are a menace to others.When you are tempted to get angry at another motorist for a real or perceived slight, turn the other cheek, and do not take it personally. Reacting angrily in knee-jerk fashion will only escalate hostilities and could lead to an outcome that both of you will regret.To assess your road aggressiveness, go to

www.aaafoundation.org, click on "Spotlight," then click on "Are You An Aggressive Driver?"By Bruce Frassinelli |

tneditor@tnonline.com