6 BWD | Fall/Winter 2016-2017
NUGGETS OF WISDOM
Anger, aggression, road rage:
All in a day’s commute
A significant number of U.S. drivers reported engaging in angry and
aggressive behaviors over the past year, according to a study by the
AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. Such behavior included:
• Purposefully tailgating: 51 percent (104 million drivers)
• Yelling at another driver: 47 percent (95 million drivers)
• Honking to show annoyance or anger: 45 percent
(91 million drivers)
• Making angry gestures: 33 percent (67 million drivers)
• Trying to block another vehicle from changing lanes: 24 percent
(49 million drivers)
• Cutting off another vehicle on purpose: 12 percent
(24 million drivers)
Nearly two in three drivers believe that aggressive driving is a bigger
problem today than three years ago, while nine out of 10 believe
aggressive drivers are a serious threat to their personal safety.
Consider these tips to help prevent road rage:
• Don’t offend: Do not cause another driver to change their speed
or direction. That means never forcing another driver to use their
brakes or turn the steering wheel in response to something you
have done.
• Be tolerant and forgiving: The other driver may just be having a
bad day. Assume that it’s not personal.
• Do not respond: Avoid eye contact and making gestures, maintain
space around your vehicle and contact 911 if needed.
(Source: AAA)
Two in five millennials
concerned about their
level of debt
Consumer-finance trend research has revealed that
37 percent of millennials aged 25-34 are concerned
about their level of debt, while 33 percent are
interested in getting assistance to help manage debt.
After residential mortgages, the biggest debt burden
for this age group is student loans, with 32 percent of
millennials saying they owe $20,000 or more. A close
second is auto loans, with 45 percent reporting they
owe $7,000 or more.
Across all age groups, email emerged as the preferred
channel for general late payment notifications. Sixtyfive percent wanted to be contacted this way when
their student loans were overdue by less than 90 days.
The biggest exception was around home equity or
residential mortgages, where more than 35 percent
wanted an in-app notification for late payments less
than 90 days overdue, but preferred a simple phone
call regarding any payments more than 90 days late.
(Source: FICO)