Crackdown on aggressive drivers
|
|
April 4, 2013 |
 They’re
out there and you’ve seen them – bold, pushy or
selfish drivers putting you and others at risk.
That’s why the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD)
and Idaho law enforcement agencies are combining
forces to stop aggressive driving April 5-14.
Beginning Friday, more than 70 Idaho law
enforcement agencies will be writing tickets for
aggressive driving as part of a statewide
mobilization to eliminate fatalities and serious
injuries on Idaho highways.
“Nearly half of all drivers will admit to
aggressive driving in the past 30 days,” said
Josephine O’Connor from ITD’s Office of Highway
Safety.
“Most of us drive aggressively at some point,
but we don’t think that it could result in
either ourselves or our passengers being killed
or seriously injured.”
In Idaho, 465 people were killed as a result of
aggressive driving from 2007 to 2011. Aggressive
driving contributes to nearly half of all Idaho
motor vehicle crashes. Nearly three-quarters of
aggressive-driving crashes statewide occur in
urban areas, but four out of five fatal
aggressive-driving crashes involve a single
vehicle speeding through a rural area.
Drivers ages 19 and younger are more than four
times as likely to be involved in an aggressive
driving crash than all other drivers.
Speeding, not obeying traffic control devices,
following too close (tailgating), driving too
fast for conditions, weaving in and out of
traffic, making improper lane changes, passing
on shoulders in an unsafe manner and unnecessary
horn-honking are considered aggressive driving
behaviors and traffic violations by law
enforcement.
Screaming or flashing lights and making rude
hand or facial gestures are additional
aggressive-driving behaviors that could escalate
to road rage, a criminal act.
Road rage is a deliberate act of assault with a
motor vehicle or other dangerous weapon by the
occupant of one vehicle against the occupant of
another vehicle, O’Connor explained. Often, the
person who incites the road rage may not have
done so intentionally.
Road rage can lead to criminal charges.
O’Connor advises motorists to stay calm and
safely get out of the way if confronted with an
aggressive driver. Do not challenge him or her,
avoid eye contact and ignore gestures. Always be
sure that seat belts are fastened in case abrupt
movements cause a loss of vehicle control.
Citizens have the right to report an aggressive
driving or road-rage incident to law enforcement
agencies if witnessed in the absence of an
officer.
“Find a safe place to call 911, or call dispatch
when you get home. If possible, provide time,
location, license plate number, and vehicle and
driver description,” O’Connor said. “Describe
the incident in detail and be prepared to appear
in court, if needed.” |
|
Questions or comments about this
letter?
Click here to e-mail! |
|
|
|
|
