Health & Fitness
A Close Call with Aggressive Driving
Personal Injury attorney Mike Bottaro discusses a barely avoided car accident with an aggressive driver.
Recently while waiting at a busy intersection, I avoided a near miss with an aggressive driver. When the light turned green I slowly proceeded, looking both left and right. To my right I saw an SUV speeding through the intersection well above the speed limit, ignoring its red light. I immediately jammed on the breaks. My kids in the backseat were thankfully protected from injury by their seatbelts. As the car sped off I was both irritated at the SUV’s driver and grateful that we had avoided a very close call.
As a father driving young kids in my car, I am especially attuned to the perils of aggressive driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) defines aggressive driving as: failing to pay attention, tailgating, making frequent lane changes, running red lights, and speeding. When confronted with an aggressive driver the NHTSA suggests first and foremost that you simply get out of the way and “put your pride aside.” (NHTSA) The NHTSA further suggests that by avoiding eye contact and rude gestures you will avoid enraging the driver. Speeding up or attempting to hold your own in your travel lane, while tempting, are behaviors that should be avoided. If you cross an extremely aggressive and dangerous driver you or a passenger may call the police.
My family and I were lucky this time. Hopefully the NHTSA’s safety tips can help you stay safe the next time you face aggressive driving.
