Aggressive drivers are among the most dangerous drivers on the road, engaging in deliberately risky behavior due to their anger or frustration. Here are seven warning signs to watch out for if you want to avoid aggressive driving on the road:
- Speeding
- Speeding is one of the most common behaviors of aggressive driving, with drivers sometimes going twenty, thirty, or even forty miles per hour above the speed limit. This is not only reckless, it significantly increases both the risk and severity of a potential accident.
- Changing lanes rapidly
- When people engage in aggressive driving, they may shift between lanes rapidly, weaving in and out of traffic without concern for the drivers around them. While some may have enough presence of mind to at least signal when they do this, many others do not bother, making them erratic and unpredictable.
- Tailgating
- A common sign of aggressive driving is tailgating, which means driving right behind the vehicle in front of them, such that there is no room to stop or slow down. If the vehicle in front of them does suddenly brake, an accident becomes essentially unavoidable.
- Brake checking
- Some aggressive drivers will engage in “brake checking,” a practice where they will intentionally move in front of another driver and erratically hit their brakes, forcing the person behind them to hit their own brakes. This is a dangerous practice that can easily cause an accident if people are not careful.
- Unreasonable use of car horn
- The car horn is intended to get the attention of drivers who may not see you or may not be paying proper attention. Aggressive drivers, however, will use the car horn excessively or inappropriately as a sign of their own anger, which can be a sign that they will engage in their own more dangerous driving behavior.
- Ignoring traffic signs or signals
- A sure sign of aggressive driving is a driver that fails to respect traffic signals or signs. It is not uncommon, for example, for an aggressive driver to run a red light or fail to stop for a stop sign, nor are they likely to yield the right of way to pedestrians or other vehicles.
- Cutting off other vehicles
- Aggressive drivers often have a bad habit of cutting off other vehicles, switching into others’ lanes without accounting for their speed or distance. As a result, someone may need to suddenly hit their brakes to avoid an accident, and all too often, they are unable to do so and get injured as a result.
If you or someone you know has been injured or sickened as a result of someone else’s negligence, contact the New York personal injury lawyers at the Katter Law Firm. We will help you protect your rights and get the compensation you deserve. To schedule a consultation, contact us at 212-809-4293, or visit our contact page.