The top 5 aggressive driving behaviors

Motorists in Illinois are well aware of the different types of behaviors that aggressive drivers exhibit on a daily basis. Drivers often exhibit many of the same aggressive driving behaviors in an attempt to get where they are going just a little bit faster than everyone else. According to the Washington D.C. Department of Motor Vehicles, motorists should be aware of these top five aggressive behaviors in order to prevent accidents or violence.

1.            Tailgating

When drivers fail to maintain a safe distance between their car and the car in front of them, they are guilty of tailgating. Angry drivers often do this in an attempt to get the lead car to speed up, but if for any reason that car has to suddenly brake, a terrible car accident is likely to occur.

2.            Blocking lanes

When some drivers become upset, they will deliberately block the passing lane and prevent other drivers from overtaking them. This retaliatory driving can create frustration, confusion and an unsafe environment for all those around them.

3.            Weaving

Weaving in and out of traffic on the roadways is one of the most common forms of aggressive driving as well as one of the most dangerous. Some drivers do this when they are in a hurry while others do it merely for excitement. This practice is particularly dangerous because drivers can easily miscalculate distances and hit the vehicles they are trying to pass.

4.            Improper headlight use

Nighttime drivers will sometimes use their headlights in retaliation against other drivers, temporarily blinding them or disrupting their vision.

5.            Improper use of the horn

The car horn is used to alert other drivers of danger. However, many angry motorists use it to annoy others or to demonstrate their frustration. This in turn leads to more frustration for all motorists around, which takes peoples’ attention away from where it should be focused: the roads.

Potentially destructive and dangerous

While aggressive driving usually results in little more than frustration and anger, it can lead to many potentially dangerous situations. In Charlotte, North Carolina, WSOCTV reports that two vehicles were engaging in retaliatory driving tactics when police identified one of the cars as stolen. When the officer attempted to stop the car, the driver lost control and crashed into a brick home. The other vehicle sped on. However that driver also lost control of his vehicle and slammed into a vacant unit in a nearby apartment complex. Although no one was hurt in these accidents, devastating fatalities could have easily occurred.

Due to the erratic driving that aggressive drivers employ, anyone can be hurt at any time. Injured victims can contact a Chicago personal injury attorney to learn their rights on the roadway and begin the claims process.