#drivng

Aggressive driving is extremely common among U.S. drivers. A recent study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that nearly 80 percent of drivers expressed significant anger, aggression or road rage behind the wheel at least once in the previous year. Previous research by the AAA Foundation found that from 2003 to 2007, over half of fatal crashes involved at least one driver who performed a potentially aggressive action.

Aggressive driving has increasingly become a major cause of concern for many road users. Learn more about aggressive driving risks and tips to avoid aggressive driving behaviors here.

Any unsafe driving behavior, performed deliberately and with ill intention or disregard for safety, can constitute aggressive driving. Examples of aggressive driving behaviors include:

Speeding in heavy traffic

Tailgating

Cutting in front of another driver and then slowing down

Running red lights

Weaving in and out of traffic

Changing lanes without signaling

Blocking cars attempting to pass or change lanes

Using headlights or brakes to “punish” other drivers

Extreme cases of aggressive driving can escalate to road rage. Examples of road rage are:

Cursing and rude or obscene gestures

Throwing objects

Ramming

Sideswiping

Forcing a driver off the road