Report links aggressive driving to urban sprawl

A study by the Surface Transportation Policy Project (STPP) found that
places with more aggressive driving deaths are usually newer, sprawling
communities where the car is the only way to get around.

The study found a statistically significant relationship between places
with high aggressive driving death rates and lack of bus, rail, walking and
biking options. Residents in places with lower transit use were 61% more
likely to die in an aggressive driving crash than people who live in areas
where more people take the train or bus.

"This report is a cautionary tale for the Chicago region," says Jacky
Grimshaw, Director for the Chicagoland Transportation & Air Quality
Commission (CTAQC). "Not only do we need to make our existing
transportation systems stronger in the city and throughout the region, but
the suburban communities also need to invest in Pace, Metra, and new
transit alternatives that encourage suburban ridership. We need to give
people the opportunity to get off the Stevenson, out of the Hillside
Strangler, and away from the breeding grounds of rage. Without a
comprehensive investment in regional public transportation, aggressive
driving fatalities will certainly increase as Chicagoland expands."

Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky(D-09), an ardent supporter of better public transportation throughout the region, said "Without fast, safe and affordable transportation options, we are
forcing people into their cars, onto the crowded roadways, and into
potentially caustic driving situations. This report confirms that, besides
the environmental and economic consequences, we can also add public safety
to the list of costs incurred by inadequate transportation options."

In 1996 (the most recent year for available federal data), the large metro
area with the highest death rate was Riverside-San Bernadino, California,
with 13.4 deaths per 100,000 residents. It was followed by Tampa, Phoenix,
Orlando, Miami, Las Vegas, Ft. Lauderdale, Dallas, and Kansas City. Most of
these regions have weak transit systems that keep people in their cars. The
Chicago area had an aggressive driving rate of 4.5 per 100,000 residents.

The Chicagoland Transportation & Air Quality Commission offers the
following recommendations to improve regional transportation and reduce the
threat of road rage.

• The General Assembly needs to make funding available to preserveour existing transit systems. The CTA desperately needs capitalimprovements on the Blue and Brown Lines as well as improvements to itsrolling stock. Metra's successful North Central line to Antioch needs to be "double tracked" to accomodate ridership.

• Make "seamless transfers" available between transit systems. Localtransit agencies should work together so communters can move easilythroughout the regional transit system, which will result in more commutingoptions for more people.

• Don't neglect pedestrian and bicycle traffic. The city and suburbsshould provide facilities to make biking and walking to work easier. Byrepairing dangerous sidewalks and installing better bike racks,municipalities can ensure bike and pedestrian safety, and encourage morepeople to discover these healthy commuter alternatives.

• The General Assembly must encourage smart development around citycenters and transportation hubs. Investment in suburban city centers anddevelopment around Metra and CTA stations will significantly reduce thenumber of car trips throughout the region, resulting in less congestion aswell as innumerable environmental, aesthetic, and quality of life benefits.

The Chicagoland Transportation and Air Quality Commission (CTAQC) is acoalition of 140 environmental, public policy, religious, labor, andneighborhood groups from throughout the six-county Chicago metropolitanregion. CTAQC works to improve air quality and create more travel optionsby supporting transit, bicycle and pedestrian improvements.