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Accident-prone aggressive drivers on Virginia roads

Aggressive driving is a difficult term to define. What might seem aggressive to one person could appear reasonable to another. Lawmakers have also struggled with defining the term, and while there are laws against aggressive driving on the books in Virginia they can be difficult to enforce because the term is so subjective and nebulous. However, the kind of aggressive driving that leads to serious automobile accidents is getting more attention these days.

Signs of an aggressive driver

• The driver drives too fast for road conditions or faster than the posted speed limit. Excessive speed is a major contributor to serious and fatal auto accidents.
• The driver runs red lights or speeds up to try and “beat” yellow lights.
• The driver follows too closely behind other vehicles (tailgates). Tailgating is a major cause of crashes and can result in serious injuries or even death.
• The driver makes frequent lane changes, often without a signal and without leaving safe room between their car and the cars around them.
• The driver is not paying attention to what is going on. These drivers talk on the phone, read or send text messages, read, eat, or engage in other distracting activities.

What to do if you encounter an aggressive driver

• Move out of the way. Get away from the aggressive driver as soon as you can – safely.
• Avoid eye contact. Making eye contact with an aggressive driver could be seen as engaging, and may make the other driver’s behavior worse.
• Ignore and do not return gestures.
• Resist the temptation to “teach the other driver a lesson”. If you respond to an aggressive driver with similar behavior, you could make the situation worse.
• Report serious aggressive driving to the police.

How to avoid becoming an aggressive driver

• Relax when in the car. Listen to music, enjoy the scenery, and try to make the drive as pleasurable as possible.
• Don’t distract yourself. Avoid using the phone, fiddling with music players, don’t eat or drink or put on make-up.
• Don’t speed. As noted above, speed is a major cause of serious crashes. Drive the speed limit.
• Know about alternate routes ahead of time. If you have a backup plan, you’ll be less stress if you encounter traffic on your usual route.
• Plan ahead so you aren’t running late. Being late is very stressful for some people, so if you give yourself extra time you can avoid the temptation to drive too fast or aggressively. And if you end up being late – just accept it. Driving dangerously and getting into a serious wreck is not worth it.

To speak with an attorney about your car accident, please contact the office of Weisberg & Zaleski.

Weisberg & Zaleski, P.C.

112 College Place

Norfolk, VA 23510

Toll Free: (800) 690-0235

Phone: (757) 622-7740

Fax: (757) 533-9223

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