If you’ve been on the road long enough, you’ve probably encountered an aggressive driver at some point. These drivers often tailgate, weaving in and out of traffic, honking their horns, and making unsafe lane changes. While it may be tempting to engage with these drivers, it’s best to avoid them if possible. Here are five behaviors of aggressive drivers that you should be aware of:
1. Tailgating
One of the most common aggressive driving behaviors is tailgating, or following too closely behind another vehicle. This can be dangerous because it gives the driver less time to react if the car in front of them makes a sudden stop. It also puts unnecessary stress on both drivers involved. Tailgating greatly increases the chances of a rear end collision. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), rear-end collisions account for approximately 23 percent of all motor vehicle crashes, resulting in approximately 2,000 deaths and 950,000 injuries
2. Weaving in and out of traffic
Weaving in and out of traffic is another dangerous behavior that aggressive drivers often engage in. This can lead to accidents, as it’s difficult for other drivers to predict when the aggressive driver will make their next move. Some might believe this will get them to where they are going quicker but they risk causing an accident or are often stuck at the same traffic light as the people they were attempting to pass.
3. Honking their horn
Honking their horn excessively is another way that aggressive drivers try to intimidate others on the road. This can be extremely annoying and distracting for other drivers, and can also lead to accidents if the honking is done in an unsafe manner. Additionally road rage is often caused by excessive honking. In Texas, Fatal car
crashes related to aggressive driving climbed nearly 500% from 80 in 2006 to 467 in 2015.
4. Making unsafe lane changes
Aggressive drivers often make sudden and unsafe lane changes, without signaling or checking to see if it’s safe to do so. This can cause accidents, as well as damage to other vehicles, pedestrians or property. Bicyclists and motorcyclists can be hard to see on the roads and changing lanes suddenly without signal can cause serious and fatal accidents for these motorists.
5. Speeding
Speeding is one of the most dangerous behaviors that aggressive drivers engage in. It gives them less time to react to things on the road, and increases the chances of being involved in a serious accident.
If you encounter an aggressive driver on the road, the best thing to do is to avoid them if possible. If you can’t avoid them, try to stay calm and don’t engage with them. Remember, it’s not worth risking your safety or the safety of others just to teach someone a lesson. If you’re ever in doubt, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and contact an attorney who can help you determine your liability in the event of an accident. Adam Miller, The Texas Bulldog offers free, no-obligation case reviews. Call now to schedule an appointment with the Texas Car Accident Attorney Adam Miller at 713-572-3333.
