Aggressive driving doesn’t have to be deadly
Aggressive driving is defined as a set of behaviors that include failing to yield to the right of way, not heading traffic signals or signage, following too close, driving too fast for conditions, and speeding. Aggressive driving significantly increases the likelihood of being in an accident, according to the Idaho Office of Safety.
(Graphic Courtesy – Idaho Transportation Department)
IDAHO — Aggressive driving is something that everyone inevitably faces on the road.
Aggressive driving can include everything from failure to yield to the right of way, failure to obey stop signs, speeding, driving too fast for conditions, following too close, and not heading traffic signals and signage; according to information by the Idaho Transportation Department’s Office of Safety.
Aggressive driving is not to be confused with road rage, where a driver uses their vehicle as a weapon. Road rage offenses can result in legal criminal actions. Whereas aggressive driving only results in infractions, if there are no accidents resulting.
The following data is compiled from the 2020 Idaho Traffic Crashes report by the Office of Safety.
Aggressive driving greatly increases the possibility of getting into an accident. In 2020, there were 10,742 crashes in Idaho that resulted from aggressive driving. Nearly half, 48% of total crashes in Idaho involved some form of aggressive driving.
Even though that figure is 21% lower than 2019’s 13,638 aggressive driving crashes, fatalities increased, officials said in the report. There were 78 fatalities last year that could have been prevented if aggressive driving were not a factor, they noted
According to the report, drivers between the ages of 25-34 are more likely to be involved in an aggressive driving accident, accounting for 20.3% of total related crashes, and 19.9% of all related fatalities.
Behaviors associated with aggressive driving claim seven of the top 10 causes of car crashes in Idaho.
When added together, the crashes and fatalities attributed to aggressive driving exceed the fatalities, injuries, and frequency of those caused by driving under the influence.
Impaired drivers are responsible for 27% of Idaho’s driving fatalities. Comparatively, conservative estimates indicate that accidents caused by aggressive driving cause 39% of fatalities, or 73 deaths in 2020.
According to the Federal Highway Administration, not all drivers are aware that they are driving aggressively. FHA officials advise drivers to maintain their lane (the 8th leading cause of traffic violations in Idaho), come to a full stop when instructed to, let others merge into traffic, budget more travel time, avoid following too closely, and keeping emotions under control.
On the other hand, when encountering an aggressive driver, administration officials advise that drivers get out of the other driver’s way, not to challenge the driver or “teach them a lesson,” giving them the benefit of the doubt, and to drive in the right lane to avoid blocking the passing lane.
To report an aggressive driver, the Idaho State Police recommends calling dispatch at 208-265-5525. In an emergency or particularly dangerous situation, it is also okay to dial 911. Officials will likely need descriptors such as vehicle make and model, license plate number, location, and description of the driver.