Aggressive Driving Behaviors and How to Handle Them

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 persons or property" - a traffic and not a criminal offense like road rage.

Aggressive driving behaviors are linked to half of all car crashes. High-risk behaviors include:

Speeding

Running red lights and stop signs

Tailgating

Frequent and unsafe lane changes

Angry or threatening behavior towards other motorists

What is Known of the Behavior

You've been the victim of an aggressive driver if you've ever been passed on the wrong side, tailgated or hemmed in by another vehicle. These high-risk drivers climb into the anonymity of an automobile and take out their frustrations on anybody at any time. Their level of concern for fellow motorists is low.

These drivers are known to make hand and facial gestures, scream, honk and flash their lights. They follow too closely and frequently and abruptly change lanes without notice. They will leer at and threaten (verbally or through gestures) motorists who are thoughtless enough to be in front of them.

Aggressive drivers are more likely to drink and drive or drive without seatbelts. Their behavior can easily escalate into an incident of road rage. Innocent motorists have been killed or injured for trivial reasons due to behaviors of aggressive drivers.

Confronted by an Aggressive Driver

When in a situation where an aggressive driver is focused on you, there are a few things you should do:

Get out of their way. This cannot be stressed enough. If you see them coming, move.

Do not challenge them. Challenging them will make them angrier. They will be more likely to play cat and mouse with you.

Wear your seatbelt. It will protect you in case of a crash or abrupt driving maneuver.

Avoid eye contact. Making eye contact will make them think you want to challenge them.

Ignore gestures. Refuse to return them.

Report aggressive drivers. Provide a vehicle description, license number, location, and if possible, direction of travel to the appropriate authorities.

How Not to Become Aggressive

Monitor your emotions. Do not drive if you're upset. Taking your frustrations out on other drivers will lead to trouble.

Plan ahead. Planning ahead to allow enough time to reach your destination will reduce speeding incidents.

Focus on your driving. Yelling, pounding on the steering wheel and honking your horn will not make traffic move any faster.

The best advice is to avoid confrontations with aggressive drivers. Do not let your pride get in the way of this. In addition, constantly monitoring your emotions on the road will help you not become one of them.

Resources:

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/aggressive/aggproplanner/page05.htm