SAN FRANCISCO -- The Bay Area's most aggressive drivers are often on the same five stretches of road.

Bay Area's Meanest Highway Commutes (Listed from worst to best) 1. Nimitz Freeway (Interstate Highway 880) 2. The Oakland-to-Vallejo portion of Interstate Highway 80 3. U.S. Highway 101 from San Francisco to San Jose 4. The MacArthur Freeway (Interstate Highway 580) 5. State Highway 17 between San Jose and Santa Cruz. 6. Highway 24 from Oakland to Walnut Creek 7. Highway 85 from Mountain View to San Jose 8. I-680 from Concord to San Jose 9. Highway 4 from Hercules to Brentwood 10. Highway 101 from Santa Rosa to San Francisco 11. Highway 84 from Livermore to Woodside 12. I-280--Junipero Sierra Highway (San Francisco to San Jose) 13. Highway 92 from Hayward to Half Moon Bay

According to a new study, the region's meanest motorists can be found on the Nimitz Freeway (Interstate Highway 880), the Oakland-to-Vallejo portion of Interstate Highway 80, U.S. Highway 101 from San Francisco to San Jose, the MacArthur Freeway (Interstate Highway 580) and state Highway 17 between San Jose and Santa Cruz.

That's the opinion of 793 Bay Area and Sacramento-based American Automobile Association members polled for the 2003 Aggressive Driving Attitude Survey, released Tuesday AAA's Northern California division.

The study also revealed respondents' feelings about driver etiquette, or lack thereof.

For instance, 57 percent of those surveyed say aggressive driving has increased in the Bay Area since last year, and 47 percent say men are more aggressive drivers. Seventy-six percent agree that waving one's hand is the best apology for offending or endangering others on the road, while only 10 percent would lend the same weight to shrugging one's shoulders.

"Just getting to and from work can be a harrowing ordeal," said AAA spokesman Sean Comey. "People are commuting over longer distances and patience is wearing thin. Our members are telling us they think a lot of drivers are dangerously aggressive when they get behind the wheel."

Poll participants also ranked what they see as the 15 most careless and irritating roadway behaviors. Tailgating topped the list, followed by weaving in and out of traffic, running red lights, cutting someone off and distracted driving due to cell phones, eating and children.

As an addendum to the study, the AAA offered its top tips for dealing with road rage, such as avoiding eye contact with mad drivers and calling 911 if a driver's aggression becomes harassment.