Aggressive driving

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) defines aggressive driving as “The operation of a motor vehicle in a manner that endangers or is likely to endanger other persons or property” which can include a number of different moving traffic offenses.¹ Although the tendency is to focus on speeding, all forms of aggressive driving threaten safety on the roadways. Aggressive driving includes failure to yield to other drivers and pedestrians, failure to use turn signals; making extra, unnecessary lane changes; tailgating other drivers; making sudden stops, accelerations, or turns; and ignoring traffic controls.

Failure to yield refers to not ceding the right-of-way to oncoming traffic or pedestrians. Signs indicate which drivers or pedestrians have the right-of-way and other road users expect drivers to follow them. Drivers with the right-of-way may not see the driver failing to yield in time to brake and avoid them. Pedestrians might enter a crosswalk in anticipation of drivers stopping. If drivers don’t obey the signs, they could cause or contribute to a crash.

Some drivers feel that using their turn signals is unnecessary, but this is extremely dangerous. Signaling is an important cue that helps other drivers anticipate what the turning vehicle is about to do. If another vehicle is in the turning vehicle's blind spot and the driver fails to signal a lane change, the vehicle in the blind spot may not notice the change until it’s too late to avoid a collision. Every lane change increases the risk of a crash. When drivers weave from lane to lane, passing other cars, they jeopardize the safety of everyone else on the road.

Tailgating on the roadway refers to following another vehicle too closely and is often the cause of bumper-to-bumper crashes. If the front vehicle stops suddenly, a driver may not have enough time to react and avoid a collision. It’s important to maintain a minimum safe following distance for the speed that a vehicle is traveling and the current road conditions. When a vehicle is traveling at higher speeds or when road conditions deteriorate, a greater following distance is necessary.

Any sudden speed or direction changes can cause a crash. Other drivers may not be able to react to a sudden change in time to avoid a collision. A sudden stop might cause the driver behind the stopping vehicle to crash into the back of it. Accelerating suddenly might cause a vehicle attempting a pass to collide with oncoming traffic.

All traffic control signs, including posted speed limits, are there to keep drivers safe. They take many safety factors into consideration, including visibility, stopping distances and the possible presence of pedestrians. Running red lights, ignoring crosswalks, and passing in no-passing zones are just a few examples of ways aggressive drivers disregard traffic controls. Any of these behaviors could lead to deaths and injuries.