Aggressive driving is a shockingly common contributor to motor vehicle accidents. This style of driving endangers not only the person driving aggressively, but also every other person on the road. But what exactly is aggressive driving? What makes it so dangerous, and how can you protect yourself from aggressive drivers?
Defining Aggressive Driving
The term “aggressive driving” typically refers to a set of dangerous driving practices that are intended to intimidate or threaten other drivers on the road. Sometimes referred to as “road rage,” it gets its name because it is often the result of people taking out their frustration on the drivers around them. Some common behaviors associated with aggressive driving include, but are not limited to:
- Speeding
- Tailgating or following improperly
- Street racing
- Changing lanes suddenly, or without signalling
- Making improper turns, or failing to signal turns
- Passing where prohibited
- Failing to yield the right of way
- Driving on a crosswalk, sidewalk, or median
- Ignoring traffic signs or signals
- Failing to slow down for bad road conditions
What is the Danger of Aggressive Driving?
What makes aggressive driving so dangerous is that it significantly increases the likelihood of a motor vehicle accident, and also increases the potential severity of an accident if it occurs. Speeding, as a general rule, increases both the likelihood and severity of accidents, as do many other traffic violations commonly associated with aggressive driving. They can also aggravate other drivers, causing them to want to drive aggressively and increasing the risk of an accident even further.
What Are the Other Risks of Driving Aggressively?
Aggressive driving is not merely unsafe, it is often illegal. Many of the behaviors associated with aggressive driving are traffic violations, which can result in points on your license, fines, and even the suspension or revocation of your license. If someone is injured as a result of driving aggressively, that may even result in criminal charges, depending on the nature and severity of their injury.
How Do You Protect Yourself From Aggressive Driving?
The easiest way to protect yourself from other aggressive drivers is to drive defensively. This means always taking precautions to follow the traffic law, obeying all signs and signals, and maintaining a safe driving speed. It also means being constantly vigilant for other drivers, who may be driving aggressively themselves. This may not always protect you from an accident, but it can reduce the risk of a serious injury, and also potentially help you if you become involved in a lawsuit as a result of any accidents that do occur.
If you or a loved one have been injured due to someone else’s negligence, you should seek out the personal injury lawyers at Zlotolow & Associates. Our seasoned New York personal injury attorneys bring more than two decades of trial experience to your case. We serve all five boroughs of New York City, as well as Nassau and Suffolk County. Our aggressive personal injury attorneys always demand maximum compensation. We have helped thousands of clients recover through settlements and courtroom verdicts. To schedule a consultation, you can call us at 866-800-0092, or you can visit our contact page.
