Auto Club Reminds Drivers to `Choose Courtesy' During MTA Strike

LOS ANGELES--Oct. 1, 20036, 2003--With the Metropolitan Transit Authority's strike in its third day, local roads and freeways are experiencing greater congestion than usual and drivers' tempers may be tested. The Automobile Club of Southern California is reminding motorists that aggressive driving maneuvers can make bad traffic situations even worse by causing collisions and near-collisions.

Widely publicized incidents of "road rage," in which drivers attack one another, are actually quite rare, according to the Auto Club.

"However, it's much more common to encounter 'road rudeness' on your daily commute, which can also be dangerous," said Arline Dillman, Ph.D., the Auto Club's traffic safety manager. "That's because lack of consideration for other drivers can lead to serious crashes."

If drivers make the extra effort to be courteous, on the other hand, they will be more likely to reduce their stress during their commute, Dillman said.

"The wonderful attribute of courtesy and polite behavior is that it really is contagious," Dillman said. "If you smile at another driver and let him change lanes in front of you, he'll probably wave to thank you and be more likely to act courteously to other drivers, too. Just like a chain reaction can cause a collision, it can also work in the opposite way and create a more friendly driving environment."

The Auto Club offers the following tips and reminders to drivers:

-- Adjust your expectations and prepare for a longer commute during the strike. Look into carpooling or vanpooling -- you may be able to reduce your stress, your commute time and your driving expenses.

-- Monitor your following distance to make sure you're three seconds behind the car in front of you, and increase your following distance in bad visibility conditions.

-- Even if you find yourself in a situation where you have to wait several cycles at a traffic signal, don't be tempted to run a red light.

-- Yield to other drivers, even if they're driving aggressively.

-- Let other drivers know your intention to change lanes with your turn signal.

-- Don't let yourself get distracted with other activities while you drive.

-- Don't weave in and out of traffic -- more often than not, it won't get you where you're going any faster, and it's less stressful to remain in one lane.

-- Honor the "every other car" rule when two lanes are merging into one.

-- Move to the slower lanes if traffic is traveling faster than you are.

-- Signal an apology if you inadvertently make a mistake while driving, such as cutting someone off accidentally.

The Automobile Club of Southern California, the largest affiliate of the AAA, has been serving members since 1900. Today, the Auto Club's members benefit by roadside assistance, insurance products and services, travel agency, financial products, automotive pricing, buying and financing programs, automotive testing and analysis, trip planning services and highway and transportation safety programs. Information about these products and services is available on the Auto Club's Web site at www.aaa-calif.com.