KANSAS IS FULL OF COURTEOUS & CONSIDERATE DRIVERS

The first electric signal in the United States was installed in Cleveland, Ohio in 1914. From these modest beginnings, traffic signal technology has greatly expanded and has become a critical element in the safe and efficient control of traffic on our streets and highways. Traffic signals are used to assign vehicular or pedestrian right of way. By providing alternate right of way traffic signals exert a profound influence on traffic flow and can operate to the advantage or disadvantage of the vehicles or pedestrians they control.

Before responding to an aggressive driver consider the following:

• An average of at least 1500 men, women, and children are injured or killed each year in the United States as a result of aggressive driving.
• There are thousands of mentally and emotionally disturbed individuals on the highway. Charged with anger, fear, and personal frustration, and often impaired by alcohol or other drugs, motorists in all 50 states have been injured and killed by other motorist for seemingly trivial reasons, such as "he stole my parking space".
• Millions of motorists are armed with fire arms, knives, clubs, and other weapons.
• Anyone can become an aggressive driver! Do not underestimate the potential for violence in any driver.

Motorists would be well advised to keep their cool in traffic, to be patient and courteous to other drivers, and to correct unsafe driving habits that are likely to endanger, infuriate, or antagonize other motorists. Be aware of the behaviors that have resulted in violence in the past: Lane Blocking, Tailgating, Signal Use, Gestures, Horn Use, Parking, Headlight Use, Merging, Blocking Traffic, Car Phones, Car Alarms, Bumper Stickers, and Eye Contact.

• Driving is a privilege, not a right.
• Everybody is in a hurry. Your time is no more valuable than anybody else's.
• Nobody is perfect. Everyone makes mistakes. Try to forgive people for their mistakes, as you would want people to forgive you for yours.

Because of the increased number of vehicles on the road these days, the KDOT has prepared this brochure for drivers young and old to give a better perspective of what is expected. REMEMBER,

REDUCE YOUR STRESS

• Consider altering your schedule
• Improve the comfort of your vehicle
• Concentrate on being relaxed

ADJUST YOUR ATTITUDE

Give the other driver the benefit of the doubt. Assume that the other drivers' mistakes are not intentional and are not personal. Be polite and courteous, even if the other driver is not. It is better to err on the side of caution.

Click on this link for the PDF file.