Aggressive driving is major cause of car and truck accidents

If you have spent any time driving the roads and highways around Atlanta and the rest of Georgia, then it probably comes as no surprise that aggressive drivers are a major cause of car and truck crashes. A research update from the Automobile Association of America (AAA) Foundation for Traffic Safety states that aggressive driving is a major concern for American motorists, but it is a concept that is poorly defined and therefore difficult to study in the context of auto accidents.

We all have a general idea of what aggressive drivers look like. They are the ones weaving in and out of traffic as they try to get where they are going faster than everyone else. They tailgate, flash their high-beams at slow drivers, honk their horns, speed, use unfriendly hand gestures, and more. However, since aggressive driving is not defined as a specific set of behaviors, it is difficult for experts to correlate aggressive driving habits with traffic crashes. In an effort to better understand how aggressive driving lends itself to an increase in driving accidents, he research update from AAA attempts to do just that.

AAA researchers estimate that 56 percent of all fatal accidents on U.S. roads could be attributed to aggressive driving. According to the study, the top five aggressive driving behaviors that contributed to fatal crashes were:

1. Speeding over the limit or too fast for road conditions: 30.7% of fatal crashes
2. Failure to yield the right of way: 11.4%
3. Reckless, careless, or erratic driving: 7.4%
4. Failure to obey traffic signs, traffic control devices, etc: 6.6%
5. Making an improper turn: 4.1%

It isn’t surprising that excessive speed was noted as the top contributor to fatal motor vehicle accidents. The old adage “speed kills” is true, however it is debatable whether or not speeding alone can be classified as true “aggressive” behavior. On the other hand, it is reasonable to assume that an aggressive driver inevitably speeds, as the impatience, anger, and frustration that lead to aggressive driving often impel a driver to speed.

Aggressive driving is a major issue for all motorists, as a review of fatal accident statistics reveals that an overwhelming 94.5% of crashes involved just one aggressive driver. That means that the victims of the other vehicle – who were not driving aggressively – were injured or killed because of one person’s bad behavior and poor judgment.

If you have been involved in a serious car or truck accident and were injured because of somebody else’s negligence, please contact the law offices of Kaufman Law. You don’t have to fight for your rights alone.

Kaufman Law, P.C.

12 Beck Street, N.W.

Atlanta, GA. 30318

Toll Free: (888) 973-2540

Phone: (404) 355-4000