According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, aggressive driving occurs when "an individual commits a combination of moving traffic offenses so as to endanger other persons or property."
The best ways to avoid aggressive drivers and to avoid becoming an aggressive driver include keeping your cool in traffic, exercising patience, being courteous to other drivers and avoiding unsafe driving habits that are likely to endanger, infuriate or antagonize other motorists.
According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, the following aggressive behaviors should be avoided, as they can create dangerous roadway scenarios:
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Lane blocking. Don't block the passing lane. Stay out of the far left lane and yield to the right for any vehicle that wants to overtake you. If someone demands to pass, allow them to do so.
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Tailgating. Maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you.
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Signal use. Don't switch lanes without first signaling your intention, and make sure you don't cut someone off when you move over. After you've made the maneuver, turn your signal off.
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Gestures. Refrain from making or returning inappropriate gestures to other motorists. Obscene gestures have gotten people shot, stabbed or beaten in every state.
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Horn use. Use your horn sparingly. If you must get someone's attention in a non-emergency situation, tap your horn lightly. Think twice before using your horn to say "hello" to a passing pedestrian; the driver in front of you may think you are honking at him. Don't blow your horn at the driver in front of you the second the light turns green.
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Headlight use. Keep headlights on low beam, except where unlighted conditions require the use of high beams. Dim your lights for oncoming traffic; don't retaliate to oncoming high beams with your own in order to "teach them a lesson." Don't approach a vehicle from the rear with your high beams on. Dim your lights as soon as a passing vehicle is alongside.
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Cell phones. Don't let your cell phone become a distraction -- keep your eyes and attention on the road. Cell phones can be great for security but bad for safety.
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Eye Contact. If a hostile motorist tries to pick a fight, do not make eye contact. This can be seen as a challenging gesture and incite the other driver to violence. Instead, get out of the way but do not acknowledge the other driver. If a motorist pursues you, do not go home. Instead, drive to a police station, convenience store or other location where you can get help.
In 1998, Arizona became the first state to pass a law defining aggressive driving and outline penalties for the offense. The law amends the state’s reckless driving statute by adding the new misdemeanor offense of aggressive driving. Aggressive driving is defined as an event where a driver speeds and commits two or more listed traffic offenses. The other infractions include failing to obey a traffic control device, driving recklessly, passing a vehicle on the right by traveling off the pavement, changing lanes erratically, following too closely and failing to yield the right of way. In addition to a fine (up to $2,500) and a possible jail term (up to six months), the law requires drivers convicted of aggressive driving to attend a driver-training course and provides for a license suspension of 30 days. Subsequent convictions may result in additional fines and a one-year license suspension.
Aggressive Driving Statistics (Provided by NHTSA)
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