Aggressive Driving

In its broadest sense, aggressive driving can refer to any incident in which an angry or impatient motorist or passenger intentionally injures or hits or attempts to injure or hurt another motorist, passenger, or pedestrian, in response to a traffic dispute or grievance. Incidences of aggressive driving cases have increased each year in the United States. As the driver of a motor vehicle, keep calm in traffic, be patient and courteous to other drivers, and avoid unsafe driving habits that can endanger or anger other motorists. Be aware of behaviors that have resulted in violence in the past:

  1. Blocking the passing lane (not yielding to someone wishing to pass).
  2. Tailgating (riding too close to the vehicle in front of you).
  3. Making angry or obscene gestures.
  4. Sounding your horn repeatedly.
  5. Taking more than one parking space or bumping into another vehicle while parking.
  6. Using high beam headlights in heavy traffic areas.
  7. Blocking traffic to speak to a passerby or people in another vehicle.
  8. Cutting off another vehicle so that it cannot merge, pass, exit, or make a turn.
  9. Assuming that an apparently aggressive act was deliberate.

To avoid becoming an aggressive driver:

  1. Take breaks on long drives.
  2. Focus on your driving and not on the problems of your day.
  3. Be comfortable and relaxed when you drive.
  4. Avoid all alcohol use before driving.
  5. Avoid eye contact with a hostile or angry driver.
  6. Do not drive when you are angry, upset, or overtired.

To avoid becoming a victim of aggressive driving:

  1. Do not react to any form of aggressive driving.
  2. Avoid speeding up, braking, or swerving suddenly, or making eye contact with other drivers.
  3. If a driver continues to hassle or follow you, drive to the nearest police station or busy place to get help.
  4. Lock your doors whenever you enter or leave your vehicle.
  5. When stopped in traffic, leave enough room to pull out from behind the vehicle you are following.
  6. If someone tries to get into your automobile, sound your horn or auto alarm.
  7. Avoid a fight at all costs.
  8. Do not carry any sort of weapon.

If an aggressive driver challenges you, take a deep breath and get out of the aggressive driver’s way, even if you THINK you are right. You don’t want to be dead right. Save your energy and your life for something worthwhile.

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