BWD Fall/Winter 2016-2017 | Page 6

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)