Aggressive Drivers and Road Rage

Aggressive Drivers/Road Rage

What Is It?

Aggressive driving and road rage is not a new problem. However, in today’s world, where heavy and slow-moving traffic and tight schedules are the norm, more and more drivers are taking out their anger and frustration in their vehicles.

Crowded roads leave little room for error, leading to suspicion and hostility among drivers and encouraging them to take personally the mistakes of other drivers.

Aggressive driving is the act of operating a motor vehicle in a selfish, bold, or pushy manner, without regard for the rights or safety of others. For example, changing lanes frequently and abruptly without signaling could be aggressive driving.

Road rage is operating a motor vehicle with the intent of doing harm to others or physically assaulting a driver or their vehicle.

SPECIAL NOTE: Nothing is more maddening to the travelling public than two trucks “drag racing” in slow speed-governed trucks side by side down the freeway for miles, blocking faster traffic. when passing, make sure you can pass the truck ahead in a matter of seconds. If you can’t, wait to pass until you can- or just back off a little and stay behind the truck in front of you. When being passed by another truck, bump off your cruise control and let the passing vehicle come around. You will lose nothing, and help improve the public’s perception of the professional truck driver.

Idaho Code 49-655: MINIMUM SPEED REGULATION. No person shall drive a motor vehicle at such a slow speed as to impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic except when reduced speed is necessary for safe operation or in compliance with the law. Notwithstanding any minimum speed that may be authorized and posted pursuant to this section, no person shall operate a vehicle in the extreme left-hand lane of a controlled access highway for a period of time that impedes the flow of other traffic traveling at a lawful rate of speed. Many other states have similar laws. Save yourself a ticket and only pass when you can do so quickly and safely.

Don’t Be an Aggressive Driver

How you feel before you even start your vehicle has a lot to do with how stress will affect you while driving.

• Reduce your stress before and while you drive. Listen to “easy listening” music.
• Give the drive your full attention. Don’t allow yourself to become distracted by talking on your cell phone, eating, etc.
• Be realistic about your travel time. Expect delays because of traffic, construction, or bad weather and make allowances.
• If you’re going to be later than you expected – deal with it. Take a deep breath and accept the delay.
• Give other drivers the benefit of the doubt. Try to imagine why he or she is driving that way. Whatever their reason, it has nothing to do with you.
• Slow down and keep your following distance reasonable.
• Don’t drive slowly in the left lane of traffic.
• Avoid gestures. Keep your hands on the wheel. Avoid making any gestures that might anger another driver, even seemingly harmless expressions of irritation like shaking your head.
• Be a cautious and courteous driver. If another driver seems eager to get in front of you, say, “Be my guest.” This response will soon become a habit and you won’t be as offended by other drivers’ actions.

What You Should Do When Confronted by an Aggressive Driver

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.

• Avoid eye contact.
• Ignore gestures and refuse to react to them.
• Report aggressive drivers to the appropriate authorities by providing a vehicle description, license number, location and, if possible, direction of travel.
• If you have a cell phone, and can do it safely, call the police.

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.