Evaluating aggressive driving on Georgia roads

By Butler Prather LLP on October 31, 2016

Racing a vehicle on public roads might be easily recognized as not only inappropriate but also reckless. However, labeling driving behavior as aggressive might seem more challenging as this might appear to reflect a state of mind at the time of an event or an intent to do harm. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is responsible for maintaining statistics and information about safety issues on the nation’s roads. The agency indicates that driving is considered aggressive if someone endangers a person or property through a combination of offenses.

Because it is difficult to assess aggressive driving in a statistical format, NHTSA numbers identify offenses that might be associated with aggressive behavior. The agency identified many behaviors that could be connected to aggressive driving, including major issues like erratic lane changing, racing, improper following, and driving in boundary areas rather than on the road. Some issues might not seem aggressive on their own, but they could occur because of destructive intentions. Examples include failing to yield, ignoring traffic signals, passing illegally, or making improper turns.

Statistics collected by NHTSA from 2003 to 2007 suggest that more than half of all fatalaccidents during the period involved possible aggressive driving scenarios. Speeding is one of the most serious such behaviors, a contributing factor in 18.8 percent of fatal wrecks in 2014. Driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs was the next most common issue in fatality accidents for that year.

At the time of a motor vehicle crash, an injured party might be too confused to think about taking legal action against the responsible driver. However, prompt access to legal counsel could be important when seeking compensation.