Aggressive driving

Aggressive drivingis defined by theNational Highway Traffic Safety Administrationas the behaviour of an individual who "commits a combination of moving traffic offences so as to endanger other persons or property."

Definitions

In the UK, Road Drivers offers a basic definition of aggressive driving:

Aggressive driving: The use of a motor vehicle in a deliberate and aggressive manner that is likely to endanger life by increasing the risk of a collision ". This behaviour is usually motivated by impatience, annoyance, hostility or an attempt to save time.

— Road Drivers

There are other alternative definitions:

Aggressive driving behavior takes many forms. Typical aggressive driving behaviors includespeeding,driving too closeto the car in front, not respectingtraffic regulations,improperlane changingor weaving, etc. The list is long. Most people drive aggressively from time to time and many drivers are not even aware when they are doing it.

Aggressive driving is difficult to define because of its many different manifestations but having a clear definition is important forpoliceand legal action against it to succeed. A Global Web Conference on Aggressive Driving Issues organized in Canada in October 2000 offered the following definition “A driving behavior is aggressive if it isdeliberate,likely to increase therisk of collisionand is motivated byimpatience,annoyance,hostilityand/or an attempt tosave time.

— Aggressive driving behavior (background paper) Fourth Road Safety Week (5 - 11 April 2004)

Behaviours associated

By definition, aggressive driving is 'committing unprovoked attacks on other drivers', attacks such as not yielding to vehicles wishing to pass. The U.S.National Highway Traffic Safety Administration(NHTSA) has implemented theFatality Analysis Reporting System,which identifies actions that would fall under the category of aggressive driving, including:

• Following improperly /tailgating.
• Improper or erratic lane changing
• Illegal driving on a road shoulder, in a ditch, or on asidewalkor median.
• Passing where prohibited.
• Operating the vehicle in an erratic,reckless,careless, or negligent manner or suddenly changing speeds without changing lanes.
• Failure to yieldright of way.
• Failure to obeytraffic signs,traffic control devices,or traffic officers, failure to observe safety zone traffic laws.
• Failure to observe warnings or instructions on vehicle displaying them.
• Failure to signal.
• Driving too fastfor conditions.
• Racing.
• Making an improper turn.
• Close following and sudden braking.

Effects

According to the Fatality Analysis Reporting System, aggressive driving played a role in 56% of fatal crashes between 2003 and 2007, most of which were attributed to excessive speed.Aggressive driving also negatively impacts the environment as it burns 37% more fuel and produces more toxic fumes.

Aggressive driving (abrupt acceleration and frequent slamming on of the brakes) also emits more carbon than a calmer approach. Calm driving would save nearly half a billion tonnes of carbon dioxide by 2050 in China alone.

See also

• Bike rage
• Brake test
• Car chase
• Carjacking
• Drive-by shooting
• Jaywalking
• Joyride
• Motor vehicle theft
• Road rage
• Street racing
• Tailgating
• Traffic stop
• Traffic ticket
• Legal terms related to aggressive driving:
  • Reckless drivingin United States law
  • Dangerous drivingin United Kingdom law
  • Driving without due care and attention,legal term in the United States, Ontario in Canada, the United Kingdom, and Ireland

External links

• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration