Posted on Thursday, September 15th, 2016 at 12:17 am
A report released by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety reveals statistics that are frightening and alarming for drivers and others who use our roads each day. Research found that almost 80 percent of drivers experience road rage, aggression, or anger while driving. This is extremely troubling since aggressive driving is a major factor in traffic accidents in the United States. With more aggressive drivers on the road, the risk of being in a traffic accident increases.
What is Aggressive Driving?
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) defines aggressive driving as committing “moving traffic offenses so as to endanger other persons or property.” One of the most common forms of aggressive driving, according to the AAA study, is purposefully tailgating. Other forms of aggressive driving include:
- Yelling at other drivers
- Honking excessively to show annoyance
- Making angry gestures at others
- Blocking or trying to prevent another vehicle from changing lanes or passing
- Cutting of another vehicle
- Getting out of the vehicle to confront another driver
- Ramming into or bumping into another driver
- Running another vehicle off the road on purpose
- Speeding and other traffic infractions, including failure to signal, making improper turns, running red lights, and failure to yield the right of way
- Improper and erratic lane changes
- Racing
- Passing where prohibited
Basically, any type of reckless, careless, or negligent operation of a vehicle can fall under the category of aggressive driving if the action is taken in anger or revenge or with the intent to incite rage in another driver. Even though you cannot control what another driver does when behind the wheel of a vehicle, you can take precautions to avoid an aggressive driving accident.
What Should I Do If I Encounter An Aggressive Driver?
The number one rule when encountering an aggressive driver is to avoid all actions which might incite or enrage the driver further. What you must remember is that you are not dealing with a rational person. An aggressive driver is not thinking clearly; therefore, using reason is not an option. Your best option is to get out of their way and avoid challenging them. You never know how another person may respond when he or she is challenged.
Therefore, slow down, change lanes, and put as much distance between you and the person who is exhibiting aggression or road rage. If you believe the driver is posing an immediate threat to others, note the make, model, and license number of the vehicle so that you can report the driver to law enforcement officers. Pull over to a safe location to call 911 to report the aggressive driver. Never confront an aggressive driver yourself and never pull over to confront a driver. This is extremely dangerous.
You can get more tips for avoiding aggressive driving from the AAA Foundation.
Have You Been Injured In An Aggressive Driving Accident?
If you or if your loved one has been injured in an aggressive driving accident, you are entitled to seek compensation for your injuries under California’s personal injury laws. Do not assume your accident claim will be automatically approved just because a driver was issued a traffic ticket for some type of aggressive driving behavior. You must still prove the driver caused the accident and that you suffered damages as a result of that accident. Our Sacramento aggressive driving accident attorneys can help.
Call the Tiemann Law Firm at (916) 999-9000 or chat with a representative on our website to obtain more information and to schedule a free, no obligation legal consultation with a Sacramento personal injury attorney.
