Driving with aggression means something more than not paying attention or using poor judgment. These types of drivers often intend harm, or at the very least, they can know harm might occur and not care. Aggressive driving is especially dangerous because the consequences are not a deterrent to the behavior. Aggressive driving may be a chosen driving style or may be triggered by things going in the driver’s life or by conditions encountered on the road.
In Texas, aggressive driving is not a specific traffic offense, but the behavior can be recognized as contributing to other traffic offenses or accidents. The fact that aggressive driving accidents are on the rise in Dallas and all across the Lone Star State is a disturbing sign of the times.
Aggressive Driving Behaviors That Can Lead to Accidents
Safe driving requires a driver’s full attention and often a lot of patience. It also requires a driver to observe the rules of the road and exercise due care around other motorists. Drivers who wantonly violate traffic laws may be driving aggressively or recklessly.
The following driving behaviors are associated with aggressive or reckless driving.
- Excessive speeding
- Very fast acceleration
- Running a red light
- Sudden lane changes
- Tailgating
- Merging interference
- Cutting someone off
- Excessive horn honking
Going significantly faster than the posted speed limit is aggressive driving behavior. While driving ten mph over the limit could get you a speeding ticket and a fine, driving 25 mph over the limit could get you a reckless driving charge, a more significant fine, and even jail time.
Texas Law and Accidents Involving Aggressive Driving
According to Safe Motorist, 66% of fatal car accidents involve aggressive driving. CBS affiliate KENS5 News reports that for every 1,000 drivers in Dallas, there are four aggressive driving incidents.
While you can’t get a ticket in Texas for ”‘aggressive driving,” you can get a ticket for driving behavior considered reckless. Under the Texas Transportation Code, a person commits the offense of reckless driving if the person drives a vehicle “in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property.”
The greater the potential risk to the safety of others, the more likely aggressive driving will be considered reckless. Reckless driving behavior also has the potential to escalate into more significant criminal behavior.
Road Rage and Aggressive Driving
Road rage is extreme anger exhibited by a driver, often in response to traffic conditions or the driving behavior of other motorists. Road rage by one driver may initiate aggressive driving behavior in others.
A 2016 study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that 80% of the over 200 million drivers surveyed admitted to at least one significant angry experience behind the wheel within the previous 12 months. The respondents also claimed to have participated in the following aggressive driving behaviors:
- Purposeful tailgating – 51%
- Honking to show annoyance – 45%
- Trying to block another car from changing lanes – 24%
- Intentionally cutting off another vehicle – 12%
- Bumping or hitting another vehicle on purpose – 3%
In addition to angry driving maneuvers, 47% yelled at another driver, 33% made angry gestures, and 4% left their vehicle to confront another driver.
Particularly concerning is the rise of road rage-fueled shootings across the United States over the last decade. Gun violence investigator The Trace reports there was a 449% increase in road-rage gun violence incidents between 2014 and 2023. Texas leads the US with the most total incidents (741), most shootings (530), and most shootings per year (78).
Why Some Drivers Become Angry and Aggressive
The increasing tendency for escalated aggressive driving and its correlation to fatal accidents has led to attempts to understand what is causing the behavior and what can be done to discourage or prevent it. Psychologists have identified demographic, environmental, and psychological factors that combine to provoke drivers.
Young males are most likely to be involved in road rage incidents. Unpleasant or unfavorable driving conditions can be the final straw that triggers an angry response. Drivers who are more inclined to become angry while driving also exhibit the following kinds of behaviors:
- Hostile or aggressive thinking
- Willing to take more risks while driving
- Angry disposition, responding on impulse
- More driving accidents, traffic tickets, and near misses
- High stress/anxiety
- Aggressive in personal relationships
- Unsatisfied or angry at work
It is also suspected the relative anonymity afforded by the protection of a vehicle and not having to deal with another person face-to-face makes it easier for drivers to lash out at other drivers.
How to Minimize the Potential for Aggressive Driving Responses
Life these days can be stressful. As drivers sharing the roads with other drivers, we can’t know what other people are thinking or dealing with and what might be the one thing too many that may set them off. What we can do is stay calm and do our best not to further aggravate situations that have the potential to escalate to violence.
The American Automobile Association (AAA) suggests these tips to minimize the possibility of road rage incidents:
- Be a courteous driver and don’t force other drivers to accommodate your poor driving behavior.
- Give other drivers the benefit of the doubt, and don’t take their behavior personally.
- Don’t respond to aggressive moves by other drivers; instead, attempt to move away and call 911 if necessary.
Where to Get Help After Being Injured in an Aggressive Driving Accident in Dallas
Motorists who drive aggressively increase the risk of accidents for all drivers. Driving is an activity that doesn’t mix well with anger, especially when it’s directed at other motorists. Impulsive decisions made in the heat of the moment can lead to devastating results.
The car accident lawyers at the Dallas office of Wolf Law PLLC understand the dangers faced by drivers around the Metroplex. The skilled and compassionate advocates at Wolf Law, PLLC represent those injured by aggressive and careless drivers, fighting for the compensation clients are entitled to and helping them regain their lives.