Ever wonder what goes on inside an aggressive driver’s head while behind the wheel? How about those who drive safely and follow all road rules, but have to put up with aggressive drivers on the road? Let’s take an imaginary glimpse into what aggressive drivers and law-abiding ones are probably thinking while driving.
Confessions of an Aggressive Driver
To say that I am impatient would be an understatement. I always seem to be in a hurry, and at no time is this behavior of mine more apparent than when I’m behind the wheel of my car. I guess I’m what you would call an aggressive driver.
As someone who drives aggressively, I tend to do a lot of things on the road that can be seen as having no regard for safety—including my own.
For one, I am really annoyed by slow drivers, especially when they’re right in front of me. When we’re on a stretch of road where overtaking seems to be impossible, I just tailgate them until they speed up or give way. When they do neither, I just keep on driving too close behind them, honk my horn, yell, and even flash my headlights. And when they finally give in, and I drive past them, I flip them the bird, which somehow makes me feel so much better.
When not tailgating someone, I just speed up and weave in and out of traffic. And other drivers would be lucky if I signal when I change lanes. It’s dangerous, I admit, but nothing is more important to me than getting to where I want to go in the shortest possible time, so I don’t really care.
My only worry is that a police officer might stop me on suspicion of DUI, but I’m not worried one bit because I never drink, at all. This is just the way I drive.
So far, I haven’t really been involved in a road rage situation, but should the time come when another driver gets out of his vehicle to confront me, I will always be ready.
Confessions of a Law-Abiding Driver
I have been driving for more than two decades, and I’m proud to say that I have never been issued a ticket for anything. I always drive below the speed limit, even when I have had every opportunity to speed up. My father taught me how to drive, and while he was at it, he also instilled in me the discipline to follow all traffic rules and respect other drivers.
Unfortunately, however, many drivers in the United States don’t respect other motorists on the road. They are aggressive drivers who have no regard for the safety of others. All they ever care about are themselves.
I just consider myself fortunate that my dad brought me up well. I never let these aggressive drivers get the best of me.
For one thing, I just stay calm and relaxed whenever an aggressive driver is tailgating me or is leaning on the horn for whatever reason. I make every attempt to get out of that driver’s way, and if he drives past me with his raised middle finger sticking out of his window, I just laugh it off. I don’t return the gesture or even make eye contact.
What I do, however, is call the appropriate authorities, and report the aggressive driver. I provide them with a description of the vehicle, the license plate number, location, and the direction to which he’s driving. Then I go on my merry way comforted by the thought that at some point, police will flag his vehicle and he’ll get what he deserves.
So, which one are YOU?
Michelle White currently works as the Marketing and Communications Specialist at the Law Offices of Brian D. Sloan. Her experiences with DUI cases in the past have inspired her to spread awareness about DUI laws in the United States.
Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed in this newsletter are those of the author.
To the “aggressive” driver: As in Germany, first blink the left indicator to signal a desire to pass. This is quite effective as you begin to bear down on a left lane squatter, who normally figures out that he needs to move to the right. Then, as you pass, move back ostentatiously to the right so the squatter realises the error of his ways. If this doesn’t work, I would avoid escalating to flashing lights, horn, gunfire, etc. etc. but weave around the blocker and move back into the right(most) lane.
To the “law abiding” driver: You are fine as long as you are in the rightmost lane on a multi-lane highway and above the minimum speed. On a two laner, I would put my right indicator on, pull over at the first opportunity and let the tailgater through.