Aggressive Driving Defined
Aggressive driving has become a serious problem on our roadways. What is
aggressive driving? Most of us know it when we see it, but NHTSA, after
discussions with law enforcement and the judiciary, defines aggressive driving
as occurring when "an individual commits a combination of moving traffic
offenses so as to endanger other persons or property."
Do You:
- Express
Frustration. Taking out your frustrations on your fellow motorists can
lead to violence or a crash.
- Fail
to Pay Attention when Driving. Reading, eating, drinking or talking on
the phone, can be a major cause of roadway crashes.
- Tailgate.
This is a major cause of crashes that can result in serious deaths or
injuries.
- Make Frequent Lane Changes. If you whip in and out of lanes to
advance ahead, you can be a danger to other motorists.
- Run Red Lights. Do not enter an intersection on a yellow light.
Remember flashing red lights should be treated as a stop sign.
- Speed. Going faster than the posted speed limit, being a
“road racer” and going too fast for conditions are some examples of
speeding.
Life in the Fast
Lane
- Concentrate.
Don’t allow yourself to become distracted by talking on your cellular phone,
eating, drinking or putting on makeup.
- Relax. Tune the radio to your favorite relaxing music. Music can
calm your nerves and help you to enjoy your time in the car.
- Drive the Posted Speed Limit. Fewer crashes occur when vehicles are
travelling at or about the same speed.
- Identify Alternate Routes. Try mapping out an alternate route. Even
if it looks longer on paper, you may find it is less congested.
- Use Public Transportation. Public transportation can give you some
much-needed relief from life behind the wheel.
- Just be Late. If all else fails, just be late.
When Confronted With Aggressive Drivers
- Get
Out of the Way. First and foremost make every attempt to get out of their
way.
- Put Your Pride Aside. Do not challenge them by speeding up or
attempting to hold-your-own in your travel lane.
- Avoid Eye Contact. Eye contact can sometimes enrage an aggressive
driver.
- Gestures. Ignore gestures and refuse to return them.
- Report Serious Aggressive Driving. You or a pasenger may call the
police. But, if you use a cell phone, pull over to a safe location.
Information provided by National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration
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