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How Can Aggressive Driving Endanger You?

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, aggressive driving is "an individual committing a combination of moving traffic offenses so as to endanger other persons or property." While the term may be vague, the consequences of aggressive driving are not. The sheer number of drivers who openly admit to driving aggressively is staggering. Identifying these behaviors can keep you safe and help you steer clear of aggressive drivers.

  1. Accidents

    • Because aggressive driving is reckless and dangerous, it is no surprise that it accounts for many accidents in the U.S. The NHTSA reports that aggressive driving is responsible for one-third of all traffic accidents. Additionally, it can be blamed for two-thirds of vehicle-related deaths. However, this is only a rough estimate, because "aggressive driving" is a term that encompasses a variety of actions.

    Laws

    • Most states have laws that address specific traffic violations. However, many states have also passed aggressive driving legislation that narrows the term down to actions such as speeding, running red lights, following too closely and improper passing. Laws and penalties vary, but as of May 2011, Arizona, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah and Virginia all have laws specifically geared toward aggressive driving. In most cases, a driver must commit more than one dangerous action for it to be considered aggressive driving.

    Speeding

    • A study by the NHTSA in 2002 surveyed drivers 16 and older about their behavior while driving. Eighty percent of young drivers admit to speeding at least once a month. Sixty percent of drivers age 65 and older also speed. Speeding is also the most common aggressive driving behavior. Speed limits exist for a reason, and common sense would dictate that exceeding the speed limit is a dangerous and reckless thing to do. With this in mind, the large number of drivers who speed only increases the hazards of aggressive driving.

    Other Violations

    • Besides speeding, many drivers questioned in the 2002 NHTSA study admitted to other dangerous behaviors. Forty percent of drivers said that they ran a yellow light. Thirty percent of people surveyed said that they never fully stopped at stop signs. Twelve percent revealed that they have made rude, insulting or obscene gestures to other drivers. Finally, 10 percent of drivers said that they have cut someone off at one point or another. These things create a cocktail of unsafe behaviors that endanger other motorists, aggressive or not.

    Handling Aggressive Drivers

    • Dealing with aggressive drivers is an unfortunate reality. However, you can dramatically reduce the dangers if you handle them properly. Do not challenge or interfere with aggressive drivers. If they are making illegal maneuvers or speeding, getting in their way will only anger them and increase the chances of a confrontation, so stay away. Also, do not take an aggressive driver's behavior personally. Just because they cut you off or tailgate does not mean they have anything against you. Keep in mind as well that not everything is at it seems. A driver that may seem aggressive could be in a hurry because of an emergency.

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