How Can I Identify Signs of Aggressive Driving Before It Escalates?

How can I identify signs of aggressive driving before it escalates? Any time you feel that another driver is engaging in dangerous actions on the road with you, take steps to get out of the way to avoid escalating it. 

Aggressive driving refers to any type of driving action that threatens another driver’s safety, and recognizing when it is happening to you could be critical to avoiding injury. Common signs of aggressive driving include tailgating, speeding, brake-checking, and more. If you’ve been in an accident with an aggressive driver, talk to a Rhode Island car accident lawyer for help.

What Is Aggressive Driving?

Aggressive driving refers to any situation in which a driver is operating a vehicle in a way that endangers other people, or that is likely to endanger other people, including hurting a person or damaging property. Many people believe that aggressive driving means a driver is engaging in taunting or even displaying profanities to you. Yet, there are many other forms of distracted driving, such as:

• Following too closely, which is referred to as tailgating
• Speeding is a form of aggressive driving
• Failing to provide the right of way to other drivers, bike riders, or pedestrians
• Making a sudden and hard stop
• Accelerating when someone tries to move in front of the driver
• Turns made at a too-fast rate
• Braking for no reason in front of others

These examples are not inclusive, meaning there are many other ways people can use their vehicles to intimidate others. Aggressive driving could include intentional acts, but that is not always the case. A person who is rushed and engaging in reckless behavior to get to their destination could also be driving aggressively. Be sure to browse our case results to see how we have helped people just like you.

Signs of Aggressive Driving While You Are on the Road

When you are on the road with another driver, perhaps on a freeway traveling across town, pay close attention to those who share the road with you, whether they are traveling in the same direction or opposite you. When monitoring other drivers, look for signs of aggressive driving that may put others at risk. The following are some of the most common examples:

• Speeding when there is significant traffic: A driver who is in a rush and speeding may dart in and around traffic, accelerating beyond the speed limit when they can to get around others.
• Running red lights: Running a red light for any reason is a form of aggressive driving because it puts everyone else in the intersection at risk
• Tailgating: Sometimes used as an intimidation tactic to get the driver in front to drive faster, tailgating can be a form of aggressive driving.
• Cutting off others: Drivers who do not allow other drivers to merge or who pass another driver on the right are likely to be engaging in aggressive driving.
• Cutting in front and slowing down: This potentially devastating incident often occurs in intentional aggressive driving when the driver is creating tension.
• Changing lanes without signaling: Changing lanes without signaling to the party behind does not give other drivers the knowledge they need to avoid an accident
• Blocking cars: Some drivers may block a car that wants to pass them or merge into their lane.
• Using bright lights: In some situations, drivers may turn on their lights behind another driver to punish them for driving the speed limit.
• Brake checking: This is the act of slamming on the brakes while in front of other drivers to cause an accident

In these situations, a driver is engaged in recklessness (motor vehicle safety – aggressive driving) that can put the lives of others at risk. If you are a victim of such actions, it can be challenging to hold others accountable for these actions. Proving this action is taking place can be challenging in itself.

How to Keep Yourself Safe

Keeping yourself safe on the roadways is a crucial step in overcoming aggressive driving. Your priority should be to keep yourself safe, avoid confrontations that could cause additional difficulties for you, and not put lives on the line. There are several things you can do to minimize such risks.

• Get out of the way. There is virtually no benefit to you to allow that car to continue to engage in such behaviors against you. Moving out of the way allows them to go on their way without putting you at risk.
• Contact the police. In situations where you feel intimidated, especially if the driver seems to be following you, contact the police to request help. If you believe your safety is at risk, do not delay in taking these steps.
• Avoid engaging with them. Some aggressive drivers may use profanity or continue to taunt you. To avoid this, simply do not look at them or engage with them.
• Follow the law. When you encounter an aggressive driver, make sure you abide by the law. Maintain the speed limit, signal when changing lanes, or simply proceed safely.
• Practice defensive driving. In situations where the driver escalates the situation, such as by following you or putting you at risk, prioritize protecting yourself. It may be tempting to try to film what they are doing, but that puts you at risk and could be a violation of the law.

Most of the time, an aggressive driver is rushing to get to where they need to go, and your best course of action is simply to get out of their way so that no one suffers an injury as a result. 

If you see signs of aggressive driving and believe your well-being is at risk, contact the police and try to note their license plate number. That could help you later to prove to the courts that they were engaging in reckless behavior, as explained in more depth in our frequently asked questions.

Know You Have the Right to Pursue Legal Action When You Have Injuries and Losses

When an aggressive driver causes an accident, and you suffer injuries or other losses, it becomes critical that you take steps to protect yourself financially. 

Contact the Gemma Law Firm and put our nearly 50 years of combined experience to work on your case. We would be happy to offer a free consultation to help you navigate your options.