SAFETY TOPIC: AGGRESSIVE DRIVING

-Could You Be an Aggressive Driver?

-Delaware Law

-What to Do

-Aggressive Driving vs. Road Rage

Could You Be An Aggressive Driver?

What They Do:

	They roll through stop signs and run red lights
	They speed - 15 miles over the limit or more on a daily basis
	They ride on people's bumpers to "encourage" them to move out of their way
	They pass on shoulders
	They change lanes frequently, without signaling, and come very close to the vehicle they're passing when they do it
	Unable to judge the speed of oncoming traffic - they don't merge - they just drive right in and expect others to make way for them

What They Think:

	They see driving as a contest...whether against the clock or another driver
	They believe that everyone else is a bad driver, displaying an 'it's not me' mentality
	They don't think that going 70 mph or more in a 55 mph zone is speeding. They believe the laws should be changed to increase the speed limits.
	They don't think speeding is dangerous because it's something that 'everybody does'
	They tend to blame others for their actions The crash wasn't my fault. Sure I was riding his bumper, but if he had just moved over instead of checking up his breaks, I wouldn't have run into the back of him I'm riding this close to him so he'll speed up
	They take other people's driving behavior personally..."they're blocking me to keep me from passing them."

How They Behave:

They become frustrated at other drivers and retaliate: by tailgating them, making obscene gestures when passing, yelling at other drivers and cutting close to the front bumper of the vehicle in front of them

If two or more of these behaviors describe you...you're an aggressive driver!

back to top

Delaware's Law

On June 30th, 1999 the General Assembly passed the state's first aggressive driving law. In simplest terms, if a driver commits three specified traffic offenses (including speeding, failing to yield the right of way, making an unsafe lane change, passing on the shoulder, ignoring a traffic control device, following too closely, or overtaking a stopped school bus) in a single incident, that person will be charged with an aggressive driving violation. They may be fined between $100 and $300 dollars, or face 10 to 30 days in jail. They must also complete a behavior modification class or attitudinal driving course.

If convicted of a second or subsequent aggressive driving offense within three years, they may find their license suspended for 30 days.

back to top

What to do

When confronted by aggressive drivers:

	First and foremost make every attempt to get out of their way.
	Put your pride in the back seat. Do not challenge them by speeding up or attempting to hold-your-own in your travel lane.
	Call 9-1-1 as soon as you can safely do so...but the sooner the better.
	Provide police dispatchers with a vehicle description (color, make, model, size, number of doors), direction of travel, and a license plate number if possible.
	Wear your seat belt. It will hold you in your seat and behind the wheel in case you need to make an abrupt driving maneuver and it will protect you in a crash.
	Avoid eye contact.
	Ignore gestures and refuse to return them.
	If an aggressive driver is involved in a crash farther down the road, stop a safe distance from the crash scene, wait for the police to arrive, and report the driving behavior that you witnessed.

back to top

Aggressive Driving V. Road Rage

Although the terms aggressive driving and road rage are often used interchangeably by the general public, motorists should note some important differences between the two.

Aggressive driving is a traffic violation. It consists of the driving behaviors listed above such as speeding and tailgating.

Road Rage is a criminal violation. Very often, acts of aggressive driving spark incidents of road rage.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration defines road rage as an assault with a motor vehicle or other weapon on other vehicles, precipitated by a specific incident. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety defines it as a deliberate attempt to harm other persons or property arising from an incident involving use of a motor vehicle. Road rage is an act of violence.

Some of the weapons that people have used in road rage-related incidents include firearms, motor vehicles, pepper spray, eggs, golf clubs, crossbows, baseball bats, and tire irons.

While aggressive driving is a growing and disturbing trend in the state of Delaware, actual occurrences of road rage are low in number.

   

Last Updated: Wednesday, July 15, 2009