Tips For Driving Safe In February For Aggressive Driving Month

Aggressive drivers are the cause of many roadside accidents and crashes.

On some level, nearly every driver has experienced some sort of road range or aggression at one point in their life when driving from one place to another. Whether you were running late for work, in a rush to get to a specific location, or there was an emergency that you needed to get to quickly, nothing is worse than someone who is driving slow in front of you when you are in a hurry to get somewhere.

In situations such as these, it is easy to get hot-headed, slam on your horn and speed past the other person on the road who is slowing you down. However, aggressive driving, no matter how good your reason may be for doing so, is not only dangerous for the people who are around you, but also puts yourself and your passengers at danger for potential automobile accident injuries.

There are many different accounts of aggressive driving or “road range” that occur each and every day on public highways, and a lot of the problem may be due to the roads themselves. In this day and age, the roads are much more crowded. In fact, the number of vehicle miles driven each year is up 35% in the last ten years. However the number of miles in which the roadway has increased is only 1%. Add in the fact that people are busier nowadays, time is at a premium and the amount of frustration and anger that comes with road congestion and construction, and it is easy to see why anyone could lose their temper.

In order to help shed some light on just how hazardous aggressive driving can be, Sall Myers Medical Associates is honoring February’s Aggressive Driving Month by raising public awareness about the dangers and consequences of aggressive driving, with the ultimate goal of reducing roadside injury and death along the way.

What Is Aggressive Driving?

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), aggressive driving is defined as “when individuals commit a combination of moving traffic offenses so as to endanger other persons or property.” Some other communities also list aggressive driving as the operation of a motor vehicle which is likely to endanger any person or property as part of a single continuous sequence of driving acts.

Some behaviors and signs typically associated with an aggressive driver include: following cars too closely, erratic or unsafe lane changes and stops, exceeding the posted speed limit, improperly signaling lane changes, failure to obey traffic control devices, etc.

What Is The Best Way To Interact With An Aggressive Driver?

You always want to ensure that you are as save as possible whenever you are on the road. Therefore, if you see some of the warning signs that were mentioned above, it is best to keep your distance from the aggressive car. Do not pass the car unless it is necessary and be sure to change your lane only when you believe that it is safe.

It is also important to remember that you should put your pride aside when dealing with someone who is overly aggressive. Make every attempt to get out of the way and do not challenge them by speeding up. Also, try your best to ignore gestures and eye contact with the driver. If the situation grows more serious, you or a passenger may call the police.

If you or someone you know has been injured in an automobile accident as a result of an aggressive driver, be sure to contact Sall Myers Medical Associates today. We can help tend to injuries caused by your accident and help you get on the right path to fast, painless recovery.

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