The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety reports that aggressive driving is a common occurrence in the United States. Unsurprisingly, 80 percent of drivers surveyed expressed some level of anger, road rage, or aggression behind the wheel in the last year. In fact, aggressive driving was a factor in 1,840 crashes and 31 fatalities in the greater Philadelphia area in 2017.
Aggressive driving is more than just an emotion and aggressive drivers can be found operating cars, trucks, and motorcycles. Common aggressive driving behaviors are:
- Tailgating: Common cause of rear-end collisions
- Weaving: A hazard to motorcycles who may go unnoticed in an adjacent lane
- Disregarding traffic signs and signals: About 700-800 fatalities are caused by drivers running red lights each year
- Improper passing: Passing on the right-hand side is a dangerous offense
Pennsylvania’s Campaign Against Aggressive driving
Police are cracking down on aggressive driving and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Buckle Up PA, and AAA Mid-Atlantic are joining 60 local police departments in a campaign that will be on the lookout for motorists who:
- Run red lights
- Fail to stop at stop signs
- Speed
Drivers should keep in mind that the penalties for running stop signs and red lights include fines of up to $100 and three points on their driver’s license. Speeding citations will vary depending on the circumstances. However, excessive speeds in school zones or reckless driving behaviors could result in license suspension, up to $500 in fines, and jail time.
Avoid Aggressive Drivers
Car accidents are the cause of most personal injury cases, and when an accident happens, it is usually because someone is disregarding traffic rules or driving carelessly. Aggressive drivers not only put themselves at risk for injury, but they jeopardize the safety of everyone on the road. AAA reminds motorists not to take the actions of an aggressive driver personally. Aggressive drivers spend little time thinking about others and the potential consequences of their actions.
Although it is important for all drivers to follow the rules of the road, PennDOT and State Farm Auto Insurance suggest avoiding the common triggers of an aggressive driver:
- Keep a safe distance from erratic drivers and call the police
- Allow other vehicles to merge onto roadways
- Avoid eye contact and ignore rude gestures
- Stay in the proper lane and do no block passing or turning lanes
- Pull completely off the road when stopping
- Keep a three second distance between your vehicle and the one in front of you
- Pull over to let tailgaters pass
Delaware County Car Accident Lawyers at Eckell Sparks Advocate for Those Injured in Car Accidents
If you or someone you love is suffering from injuries caused by an aggressive driver or you want to discuss filing another personal injury claim, contact an experienced Delaware County personal injury lawyer at Eckell, Sparks, Levy, Auerbach, Monte, Sloane, Matthews & Auslander, P.C. Our dedicated attorneys will listen to the details of your case and evaluate what compensation you may be entitled. For a free consultation, call 610-565-3701 today or contact us online. With offices located in Media and West Chester, Pennsylvania, we work with clients throughout Delaware County, Chester County, Montgomery County, and throughout the Philadelphia metropolitan area.