Identifying Aggressive Drivers

No matter how safe a driver you are, there’s one major threat on the road that you can’t control – other drivers. The behavior of your fellow motorists will often be courteous and without danger, but every once in a while, you’ll run into the actions of an aggressive driver. These vehicle operators go beyond rude to unsafe.

How can you identify an aggressive driver? It’s anyone whose actions on the road go beyond an impolite refusal to cooperate, such as letting you change lanes during congestion, to the borderline dangerous. We’re often so used to overbearing actions or inappropriate reactions on the road that we don’t always recognize when we’re witnessing what can be construed as a driving threat. Aggressive driving includes:

• Passing on the right (particularly in states that don’t allow this)
• Doing things that distract them from driving (such as yelling, making inappropriate gestures, and talking on a cell phones that aren’t hands-free)
• Ignoring traffic signs and/or lights
• Weaving in and out of traffic, speeding, tailgating or any combination of the three

 Now that you know how aggressive drivers behave, what is your defense against them? We’ll talk about that next.

See Also

• Roadside Assistance from Auto Advantage Inc.
  Your Favorite Auto Club gives you the safety tips you need to keep your time on the road as safe as possible.