What Defines Aggressive Driving?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) defines aggressive driving as

occurring when “an individual commits a combination of moving traffic offenses so as to endanger other persons or property.”

While aggressive driving is difficult to quantify, a 2009 study by the American Automobile Association …

What are the 3 types of aggressive drivers?

  • Erratic driving, operating the vehicle in a reckless or careless manner.
  • Illegal passing.
  • Brake checking.
  • Excessive horn use.
  • Cutting other drivers off.
  • Weaving in and out of traffic.
  • Confrontational body language.
  • Failure to yield the right of way.

What qualifies as aggressive driving?

The term “aggressive driving” covers a range of unsafe driving behavior.

Speeding, tailgating, weaving in and out of traffic, running red lights

, or any combination of these activities generally are considered aggressive driving.

What are the types of aggressive driving?

There are different types of road rage. Examples include

verbal insults and threats

, yelling and honking, rude and offensive gestures, cursing, throwing objects, aggressive and dangerous driving methods such as tailgating, blocking another driver, in addition to ramming, sideswiping, or forcing a driver off the road.

Is speeding considered aggressive driving?

Aggressive driving manifests itself in a variety of ways – e.g.,

excessive speeding

, tailgating, weaving in traffic, unsafe passing, running red lights.

What is aggressive driving should be avoided?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Council (NHTSC) defines aggressive driving as “the operation of a motor vehicle in a manner that endangers or is likely to endanger persons or property”. Aggressive driving should be avoided

because it causes crashes, injuries and fatalities

.

What is the most common aggressive driving behavior?

  • Erratic or reckless driving.
  • Failure to obey traffic signals or signs.
  • Illegal turns.
  • Speeding.
  • Failure to yield the right of way.
  • Illegal passing.
  • Tailgating.

Why are people driving so aggressive?

The causes of aggressive driving come in various forms and are not always obvious.

Some are undesirable roadway situations

, while others are personality traits or states of mind. … Of course, some situations – such as stress, tiredness or the bad behavior of other drivers – could lead any motorist to drive aggressively.

Are people driving more aggressively?

Almost one-third of those surveyed admitted they made an angry gesture.

Male drivers were more likely than

female drivers to report having engaged in aggressive behavior while behind the wheel.

What does aggressive driving look like?

Aggressive driving can range from risky behavior to that which escalates to serious violence. Common driving behaviors include:

tailgating, weaving in and out of traffic

, passing on the shoulder, speeding, cutting off traffic, honking, yelling, flashing headlights and using inappropriate gestures.

What are 6 types of aggressive drivers?

  • speeding.
  • tailgating.
  • laying on the horn.
  • becoming over emotional.
  • changing lanes without checking blind spot traffic.
  • “road rage”

What are the 4 ways to avoid an aggressive driver?

  • Signal, Move to the Right, and Decrease Your Speed. …
  • Apologetically Wave and Nod at the Aggressive Driver. …
  • Avoid Eye Contact and Drive Defensively.

What can you do when confronted by an aggressive driver?

  1. Get out of their way as soon as you can safely.
  2. Stay calm — reaching your destination safely is your goal.
  3. Do not challenge them.
  4. Avoid eye contact.
  5. Ignore gestures and don’t return them.

Do fast or slow drivers cause more accidents?


Driving slower than the surrounding traffic is more likely to cause an accident than speeding

, according to research. Driving too slowly can make other drivers around you constantly brake and speed up. It can be frustrating for other drivers, cause confusion and could lead to an accident.

What is the first step to avoid becoming an aggressive driver?

The first is to

avoid offending other drivers by not tailgating

, gesturing to other drivers, driving too slowly in the “fast” lane or cutting another driver off. Next, refuse to engage with a driver who is angry. Avoiding eye contact and providing those drivers plenty of room could keep things from escalating.

What is the first thing a driver should do after deciding to make a turn?


First you will need to stop at the stop line

, make sure that you do not interfere with pedestrians, bicyclists, or vehicles moving on their green light, and make a turn. If a street has a left turn lane, you must use it when you turn left.

Leah Jackson
Author
Leah Jackson
Leah is a relationship coach with over 10 years of experience working with couples and individuals to improve their relationships. She holds a degree in psychology and has trained with leading relationship experts such as John Gottman and Esther Perel. Leah is passionate about helping people build strong, healthy relationships and providing practical advice to overcome common relationship challenges.