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In its July 2022 report, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) noted a 10.5 percent increase in traffic fatalities for the previous year (42,195 deaths). After a period of relative decline, road fatalities began ticking upward with the start of the pandemic in 2020 despite there being fewer cars on the road. The steady increase in traffic deaths over the last three years is blamed on reckless, aggressive driving, according to the NHTSA. Traffic experts reported that because there were fewer cars on the road and less traffic congestion, many drivers felt comfortable driving aggressively.

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety reported that 55.7 percent of the total fatal crashes (106,727) during a recent four-year period involved drivers who committed one or more aggressive driving actions.

Many drivers drive safely with concern for others. However, some are referred to using various names such as lead foot, hot dogger, road hog, tailgater, and lane hopper. These drivers endanger others on the road through their actions. 

The NHTSA identifies actions that fall under the category of aggressive driving as: 

• Following improperly or tailgating
• Improper or erratic lane changing
• Illegal driving on a road shoulder, in a ditch, or on a sidewalk or median
• Passing where prohibited
• Operating the vehicle in an erratic, reckless, careless, or negligent manner or suddenly changing speeds without changing lanes
• Failure to yield right of way
• Failure to obey traffic signs, traffic control devices, or traffic officers; failure to observe safety zone traffic laws
• Failure to observe warnings or instructions on a vehicle displaying them
• Failure to signal
• Driving too fastfor conditions
• Racing
• Making an improper turn 

According to an NHTSA survey on aggressive driving attitudes and behaviors, more than 60 percent of drivers see unsafe driving by others, including speeding, as a major personal threat to themselves and their families. More than half admitted that they, themselves, have driven aggressively on occasion. They run stop signs, disobey red lights, speed, tailgate, weave in and out of traffic, pass on the right, make unsafe lane changes, flash their lights, blow their horns, or make hand and facial gestures. 

What can be done to stop aggressive driving? 

The NHTSA believes that a reduction in aggressive driving will be successful only through programs that combine public education and police enforcement of specific, targeted traffic law violations. It further believes that each driver can help by recognizing aggressive driving behaviors in his/her life and correcting them. Here are more recommendations from NHTSA: 

• Always indicate before changing lanes and turn the indicator off when done.
• Dip bright headlights for oncoming vehicles at night.
• Do not block the passing lane for faster drivers.
• Try to avoid driving when feeling stressed, emotional, or angry.
• Plan and allow plenty of time for the trip.
• Do not tailgate. 

How to report an aggressive driver? 

The Florida Department of Transportation says to, “report all incidents of aggressive/careless/reckless driving to local law enforcement at the time of occurrence by dialing 9-1-1 or *FHP. Be sure to indicate specific information such as the make/model of the vehicle, the tag number (if available safely), and the direction of travel when making the report.” 

What to do if you are injured in an accident caused by an aggressive driver?

We know this is a very stressful time. To assist accident victims, we have prepared recommendations in our “Florida Accident Form.” This form can be downloaded by clicking on Florida Accident Form. You never know when an accident may happen. So, keep several copies of this form in the glove compartments of all your vehicles.

After being injured in an accident caused by an aggressive driver, seek medical assistance immediately. Contact your insurance company and report the accident. However, you should not give them a recorded statement before contacting the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. Insurance company adjusters analyze the evidence and make settlement offers. They are incentivized to settle for the lowest possible amount. Usually, the adjuster’s settlement is too low and unfair to those injured.

Accident victims may be the driver and/or passengers (including children). They all have the same legal rights to insurance and legal claims.

Potential injuries you may suffer:

There are a multitude of injuries an accident victim may suffer because of the negligence of an aggressive driver. Some of these injuries include:

• Brain, Head, and Neck Injuries
• Soft Tissue Injuries
• Broken Bones
• Back Injuries

A physician will provide an accident victim with a diagnosis and a treatment plan. Follow the doctor’s advice. Go to all scheduled appointments during the recovery process. Refrain from working until a physician provides a release.

"We encourage victims to contact our firm as quickly as possible because there is a statute of limitations in Florida, and we need to protect and preserve evidence. Contact us at 239.337.7483, toll-free at 1.888.477.4839, or online at SpiveyLaw.com,” said Fort Myers Accident Attorney Randall Spivey. “There are no costs or attorney fees until we receive a monetary recovery for you. Our experienced personal injury legal team is available 24/7.”