Aggressive driving
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The examples and perspective in this article deal primarily with the United States and do not represent a worldwide view of the subject. (November 2016) |
Aggressive driving is defined by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as the behavior of an individual who "Commits a combination of moving traffic offenses so as to endanger other persons or property."[1]
Definitions
In the UK, Road Drivers offers a basic definition of aggressive driving: Template:Quote
There are other alternative definitions: Template:Quote
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 the Fatality Analysis Reporting System,[2] which identifies actions that would fall under the category of aggressive driving, including:
- Following improperly / tailgating[2]
- Improper or erratic lane changing[2]
- Illegal driving on a road shoulder, in a ditch, or on a sidewalk or median[2]
- Passing where prohibited[2]
- Operating the vehicle in an erratic, reckless, careless, or negligent manner or suddenly changing speeds without changing lanes[2]
- Failure to yield right of way[2]
- Failure to obey traffic signs, traffic control devices, or traffic officers, failure to observe safety zone traffic laws[2]
- Failure to observe warnings or instructions on vehicle displaying them[2]
- Failure to signal[2]
- Driving too fast for conditions [2]
- Racing[2]
- Making an improper turn[2]
- Close following and sudden braking.[3]
Aggressive driving and bumper stickers have been found to correlate as cars which commit traffic violations while having divisive bumper stickers connecting to their political views or party of choice have resulted in increased aggressive behavior such as honking from those around them.[4]
It’s also been theorized that a lack of respect for authority has also led to an increase in aggressive driving. Romania which in 2013 had 9.3 road deaths per 100,000 people which was significantly higher than other nations such as the United Kingdom with 2.8 road deaths per 100,000 people. The increase in deaths for Romania correlated with its poor ranking in the World Justice Project from that year.[5]
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.[2] Aggressive driving also negatively impacts the environment as it burns 37% more fuel and produces more toxic fumes.[6]
Aggressive driving also emits more CO2 than a calmer approach with increased CO2 emissions of 37% and CO emissions of 88%.[7] The increases are a result of constant shifting from accelerating to decelerating, which uses up more of the cars fuel and overall, more exhaust emissions.[8] Calm driving alone would save nearly half a billion tonnes of carbon dioxide by 2050 in China.[3]
Solutions
Prevention of aggressive driving is possible through attainable goals such as increased legal penalties against offenders, proper education for new and veteran drivers about aggressive driving, and changes in driving structures to combat road congestion.[9]
Adjustments to road infrastructure have also shown to significantly decrease aggressive driving. Curved roads and transition curves show significant decreases in aggressive behavior as drivers are forced to adapt and slow down to avoid crashing.[10]
See also
- Bike rage
- Brake test
- Car chase
- Carjacking
- Drive-by shooting
- Jaywalking
- Joyride
- Motor vehicle theft
- Road rage
- Street racing
- Stolen vehicle recovery
- Tailgating
- Traffic stop
- Traffic ticket
- Vehicle tracking system
- Legal terms related to aggressive driving:
- Reckless driving in United States law
- Dangerous driving in United Kingdom law
- Driving without due care and attention, legal term in the United States, Ontario in Canada, the United Kingdom, and Ireland
References
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- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Aggressive Driving | National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)". www.nhtsa.gov. Archived from the original on 2015-07-16. Retrieved 2016-03-08.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) | National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)". www.nhtsa.gov. Retrieved 2016-03-08.
- ^ a b doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-023-02341-x
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Torres, Rachel Suzanne; Farrer, Benjamin David (2025-09-24). "How do drivers react to partisan bumper stickers? Understanding polarization in apolitical settings". Frontiers in Political Science. 7 1617785. doi:10.3389/fpos.2025.1617785. ISSN 2673-3145.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.grao (2016-04-21). "The streets of Bucharest: How road behaviour correlates with trust in government". CityMonitor. Retrieved 2025-12-15.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Suzuki, David (2008). David Suzuki's Green Guide. Greystone Books. pp. 87. ISBN 978-1-55365-293-9.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Shahariar, G. M. Hasan; Bodisco, Timothy A.; Zare, Ali; Sajjad, Mojibul; Jahirul, M. I.; Chu Van, Thuy; Bartlett, Harry; Ristovski, Zoran; Brown, Richard J. (2022-07-01). "Impact of driving style and traffic condition on emissions and fuel consumption during real-world transient operation". Fuel. 319 123874. Bibcode:2022Fuel..31923874S. doi:10.1016/j.fuel.2022.123874. ISSN 0016-2361.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Faria, Marta V.; Duarte, Gonçalo O.; Varella, Roberto A.; Farias, Tiago L.; Baptista, Patrícia C. (2019-01-01). "Driving for decarbonization: Assessing the energy, environmental, and economic benefits of less aggressive driving in Lisbon, Portugal". Energy Research & Social Science. 47: 113–127. Bibcode:2019ERSS...47..113F. doi:10.1016/j.erss.2018.09.006. ISSN 2214-6296.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Asbridge, Mark; Smart, Reginald G.; Mann, Robert E. (2006-04-01). "Can We Prevent Road Rage?". Trauma, Violence, & Abuse. 7 (2): 109–121. doi:10.1177/1524838006286689. ISSN 1524-8380. PMID 16534147.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Coropulis, Stefano; Berloco, Nicola; Intini, Paolo; Ranieri, Vittorio (2025-12-01). "Road design influence on driving behaviors: The influence of curve design, a case study". Transport Economics and Management. 3: 104–116. doi:10.1016/j.team.2025.02.006. ISSN 2949-8996.
External links
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