Tailgating

Abstract: This book investigates aspects of road rage and the origins of its development. Presenting numerous case studies relating examples of road rage behavior, the authors have provided an indepth examination of aggressive driver behavior known as road rage. Not just a problem in the United States, examples of road rage can be found in almost every country. Mounting death and injury statistics reflect billions of dollars expended for health care, loss of employment and human suffering. While cars and roadways are safer than ever before, design and engineering improvements can not mitigate hostile and angry drivers. Examining causes of driver hostility, including alcohol and drug abuse, emotional triggers, traffic congestion stress, and automotive vigilantism, the authors attempt to define and explain why some drivers do what they do. To reduce the incidence of road rage and aggressive driver behavior, this book also provides self-tests to measure possible aggressive driving tendencies, motorist check lists to compare reactions and responses with positive driver behavior standards and a look at city, state and federal government proposals to crack down on aggressive driving and drivers, such as tough new laws, traffic calming devices, electronic surveillance and an increased police presence.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for detecting a tailgate event between two vehicles moving in a forward motion is provided. The two vehicles include a first and second vehicle, one of the two vehicles being an offending vehicle and the other of the two vehicles being an affected vehicle. The method includes determining a distance between the two vehicles. The first vehicle is ahead of the second vehicle. The method also includes calculating a safe distance range between the two vehicles based upon one or more of speed, weight, and safe braking range values of at least one of the two vehicles. The method further includes comparing the distance and the safe distance range and activating a recording device on the affected vehicle if the distance is less than the safe distance range indicating an unacceptable range value, the offending vehicle being responsible for causing the unacceptable range value.

Abstract: High-risk drinking on game day represents a unique public health challenge Objective: The authors examined the drinking behavior of college football fans and assessed the support for related interventions Participants: The authors randomly selected 762 football fans, including college students, alumni, and other college football fans, to complete an anonymous online game-day survey Methods: The authors collected data on participants' drinking behaviors and support for specific game-day interventions Results: Analysis revealed that, overall, fans drank significantly more on game day than they did the last time they partied or socialized Nondrinkers were the most supportive of game-day interventions, followed by moderate drinkers, whereas heavy drinkers offered the least support Conclusions: With the exception of limiting tailgating hours on game day, fans support game-day interventions, including alcohol-free alternatives, designating tailgating areas where open containers are permitted, and increasi

Abstract: A Vehicle Safety Management System (“VSM”) detects safe driving behavior in a vehicle. The system includes a plurality of unsafe driving events, including tailgating, frequent lane changes, speed limit violation, speed limit violation over a curved segment of road, rapid acceleration from a start, and rapid deceleration to a stop. The vehicle is equipped with an event detection module. The event detection module includes a circuit that acquires vehicle data for parameters associated with movement of the vehicle. The event detection module also includes a processor for executing algorithms that determine whether movement of the vehicle meets one or more pre-determined conditions. If the pre-determined conditions are met, event data for one or more unsafe driving events are generated. The event detection module includes a transceiver to send and receive data between the vehicle and a server. The server presents event data to a customer so as to allow the customer to view unsafe driving behavior data for the customer's fleet. For example, the application server may generate reports that detail the unsafe driving events for a driver, vehicle, condition, etc.