Measures
For the time being, the possibilities of reducing aggressive traffic behaviour and the irritation resulting from it are limited, and are to be mainly found in the use of education and information. As aggression often has the emotion 'anger' as a basis, measures aimed at preventing anger can also contribute to reducing aggression (see Emotions in traffic).
Education: driving is also a social skill
There are two ways in which education can help reduce aggressive behaviour in traffic. The first is to pay explicit attention to aggression during the driving course. At the moment this is being experimented with in the Haaglanden region (
Information: is it aggression or plain stupid?
Information can remind road users of the following:
- not all behaviour experienced as aggressive is actually aggressive: it can be just stupid;
- it is important to be more sensitive to one's own anger as well as the 'stupidity' of others;
- the danger of a situation escalating when you yourself react aggressively to what you suppose is someone else's aggression;
- to tolerate the mistakes or even aggression of others is a sign of strength and a competence to be proud of.
Information: also a role for the enforcers
During the last few years, the police have paid a lot of attention to traffic behaviour that contributes to, or is the result of, aggression. Here, the term 'aggression' is often regarded as a problem area. More than they do nowadays, the police should aim their enforcement at specific behaviour which is known to be unsafe. Information should be used to increase the subjective chance of being caught for such behaviour. For example, this has recently been done with regard to keeping distance: campaigns have taught the correct distance and the fine if it is not adhered to. In a recent "I love traffic rules" campaign, specific behaviour is mentioned although this campaign doesn't mention the enforcement component.