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Contributing factors to aggressive driving

Primary driver contributing factors | Other factors

A number of factors that fall under the category of "aggressive driving" can and do lead to crashes on Wisconsin roads. 

Alcohol, speeding, or alcohol combined with speeding are the factors most often cited in fatal crashes. For total crashes, which includes both fatal and non-fatal, "inattentive" driving is the most-cited factor.

Primary driver contributing factors in Wisconsin crashes (2001)  

Source: Wisconsin Traffic Crash Facts
   

Source: Wisconsin Traffic Crash Facts

Other factors contributing to aggressive driving

Traffic congestion:
In Wisconsin, the number of vehicle miles traveled has increased 26% in the past ten years, and the number of registered vehicles has risen 21% while the miles of roads has increased only 2.3%. The result is more congestion and more frustration.

Enforcement:
During the same 10-year period in the U.S., the number of state police and highway patrol officers working at traffic enforcement has decreased 3%. Less enforcement results in more people breaking the law.

Lifestyle:
We live in a society that is increasingly in a hurry with more to do, and delays can be frustrating.

These factors can produce drivers whose behavior is not inhibited by law enforcement - the perfect recipe for aggressive driving.

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Questions about the content of this page:
Patricia Hansen, patricia.hansen@dot.state.wi.us
Last modified: March 8, 2005