The Smooth Operator Program has come to the Pittsburgh region. In the first “enforcement wave” during the week of March 25-31, 16,223 citations were given out regionally. This is a public awareness and education campaign aimed to curb aggressive and unsettling driving habits, a leading cause of thousands of automobile related deaths nationwide.

According to the Smooth Operator website, “aggressive driving is defined as a combination of unsafe and unlawful driving actions, which demonstrate a conscious and willful disregard for safety. Aggressive driving includes such offenses as tailgating, unsafe lane changes, speeding, running red lights and stop signs, following too closely, improper passing and failing to yield the right of way.”

We cyclists have to assert our place in the road on a daily basis, and tend to be the object of aggressive drivers who don’t think that we should be there in the first place. We are also the most vulnerable to injury caused by irrational and dangerous driving habits.

Although geared to drivers, the smooth operator website offers some useful tips that can be applied to cyclists on avoiding aggessive drivers.

• Get out of their way and steer clear of them on the road.
• Stay relaxed. Remember that reaching your destination safely and calmly is your goal.
• Don’t challenge them. Avoid eye contact. Ignore rude gestures and refuse to return them.
• Give them the benefit of the doubt. Not all aggressive driving behavior is intentional.
• Don’t block the passing lane, especially if you are driving slower than most of the traffic. Move over to the right lane.
• Dial #77 on a cell phone to report aggressive drivers or call your local police when you can.

We would also like to add that as a cyclist, you should remember that you are having a lot more fun than them, so try refraining from “getting back” since you’ve already won.

Be safe, aware, and have fun!

According to the Post-Gazette, other planned enforcement periods are set for July 1-7. Aug. 5-11 and Sept. 2-15.