ARE YOU AN AGGRESSIVE

DRIVER?

"Aggressive driving" is a term used to describe a range of unsafe behavior by drivers on the road. Aggressive driving is usually a combination of two or more dangerous driving practices at the same time, and drivers cited for aggressive driving usually face increased fines and reprimands more than normal traffic violations.

According to the Governor's Highway Safety Association (GHSA), 11 states have passed legislation to specifically define aggressive driving. While each of those states' exact laws differ, they all define aggressive driving as a combination of hostile, dangerous, or reckless behavior on the road.

Q: Which of the following traffic violations are considered a part of aggressive driving by most states with aggressive driving laws?

• Passing on the right

• Speeding

• Intent to annoy another driver

• Tailgating

• Failure to yield

• Failure to signal

• Unnecessary honking

A: All of the above

While exact rules vary from state to state, all of the previously listed behaviors are generally considered a part of aggressive driving. Being observed doing a combination of those actions, either at the same time or within a certain timespan, can lead to a citation for aggressive driving. Penalties for an aggressive driving citation can include:

• Increased fines

• Suspension of license

• Chronic offender status for repeated offenses

If you've been cited more than once for aggressive driving, the consequences can be severe. The combination of court fees, fines, and loss of driving privileges can cause severe stress and hardship in a person's life beyond the marks on their permanent record.

Q: What can a person with a history of aggressive driving do to avoid further citation and loss of privileges?

A: There are several things that drivers can do to avoid being cited for aggressive driving:

• Don't drive while angry, stressed, or under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

• Alter your schedule to avoid traffic congestion or other annoyances that lead to stress and aggressive behavior.

• Examine the causes of anger and stress, and commit to fixing them.

• Attend a traffic school class on defensive driving to relearn the principles of safe driving.

Driving lessons aren't just for new drivers who are just learning the rules of the road. If you have a history of aggressive driving and unsafe behavior on the road, a course on proper driving behavior can help you:

• Accept responsibility for negative behavior, and learn ways to manage and change it.

• Learn which lifestyle factors can lead to poor driving decisions.

• Better understand the consequences of aggressive driving and how to avoid them.

If you think you could benefit from a course on how to curb bad driving habits, you can take NTSI's aggressive driving course online without even having to leave your home. For those drivers who are ready to change their history of bad driving behavior, this course is affordable and can be taken from home at times that fit their schedule.

NTSI (National Traffic Safety Institute) has been a recognized leader in national

traffic safety education since 1974. Their courses stress personal accountability,

and use proven behavior modification methods to allow drivers to make positive

changes in their driving. Please visit ntsi.com for more information.

Sources

• http://www.ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/laws/aggressivedriving_laws.html