WHO ARE THE AGGRESSIVE DRIVERS?
· These high-risk drivers climb into the anonymity of an automobile and take out their frustrations on anybody at any time.
· For them, frustration levels are high, and the level of concern for other drivers is low.
· They run stop signs and red lights, speed, tailgate, weave in and out of traffic, pass on the right, make improper and unsafe lane changes, and make hand and facial :) gestures, scream, honk and flash their lights.
· They drive at speeds far in excess of the norm, which causes them to: follow too closely, change lanes frequently and abruptly without notice (signals), pass on the shoulder or unpaved portions of the roadway, and leer at and/or threaten verbally or through gestures-motorist who are thoughtless enough to be in front of them.
WHEN CONFRONTED BY AN AGGRESSIVE DRIVER
· First and foremost, make every attempt to get out of the 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 trying to teach them a lesson by blocking their ability to pass or overtake you.
· Wear your seat belt. It will hold you in your seat, and behind the wheel, in case you need to make abrupt driving maneuvers, and it will protect you in the event of a crash.
· Avoid eye contact
· Ignore hand gestures and refuse not to give any back to them.
· Report aggressive or reckless drivers by calling 911 when safe to do so.
· Try to get their make and model, license plate number, and direction of travel.
· If an aggressive driver is involved in a crash further down the road after they have passed you, stop at a safe distance from the crash off of the road and wait for the police to arrive- report to the responding officer the reckless driving behavior you observed.
