Introduction

Background

Method

Findings

• Possible Solutions
  
• Aggressive Drivers
  
• Aggressive Drivers Are Often Competitive
  
• More Enforcement Wanted by Drivers
  
• Incident and Traffic Management Issues Supported
  
• Work Zone Issues Supported
  
• Operation and Design Issues
  
• Trucks and Cars Complain About Each Other
  
• Public Information and Education Issues

Detailed Findings

General Discussion

Specific Issues

APPENDIX A

APPENDIX B

Aggressive Drivers

A general consensus among participants of what driver's meant by the term "aggressive driving" was not exactly clear, but included actions such as weaving in and out of traffic to get ahead, tailgating, excessive speed and conflicts with other motorists.

Suggestions to help solve the aggressive driver problem include the following items:

• Photo imaging aggressive drivers (two groups "invented" this without knowing about Maryland's plans)
• More enforcement campaigns like "Smooth Operator"
• More law enforcement presence on the road
• More law enforcement vehicles cruising, fewer stopped on the shoulder
• More emphasis on unsafe driving, less on speed and minor violations
• Tougher sanctions on repeat violators

The following suggestions were made to counter unsafe lane changing:

• More law enforcement presence (including enforcement solutions recommended above)
• "Keep Right" education and enforcement
• PI&E on dangers of unsafe lane changes
• Courtesy campaigns

More highly structured questions were asked of the groups on a number of topics of specific interest to the Capital Beltway Safety Team. Since the volume of issues to be covered exceeded the time available in each group, some topics were not discussed in all groups. The key findings on each topic are shown below: