Drive on any road in the United States and you’re likely to encounter an aggressive driver. In fact, if we’re honest with ourselves, every one of us has likely exhibited that behavior at one time or another. So, how does aggression factor into fatalities on U.S. roads? According to a new report by AAA, 56% of fatalities involve aggressive behavior.

What is aggressive behavior?

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA), aggressive driving, “is generally understood to mean driving actions that markedly exceed the norms of safe driving behavior and that directly affect other road users by placing them in unnecessary behavior.”

AAA used that and other definitions in its April 2009 report, Aggressive Driving: Research Update, in which it concluded that 56% of driving fatalities involved some sort of aggressive behavior. That behavior may include:

• Driving too fast for conditions or in excess of posted speed limit
• Failure to obey traffic signs, traffic control devices, or traffic officers; to observe safety zone traffic laws; to observe warnings or instructions on vehicle displaying them; to properly signal or to yield to right of ways
• Following improperly
• Illegal driving on road shoulder, in ditch, or on sidewalk or median
• Improper or erratic lane changing
• Making an improper turn
• Operating the vehicle in an erratic, reckless, careless, or negligent manner or suddenly changing speeds
• Passing where prohibited by posted signs, pavement markings, hill or curve, or school bus displaying warning not to pass, passing on wrong side, passing with insufficient distance or inadequate visibility or failing to yield to overtaking vehicle
• Racing

Speeding & failing to yield are too common

AAA researchers reviewed traffic safety data from numerous sources, although they admitted that specific information on aggression and driving is somewhat lacking. The data they were able to find showed that of all fatal crashes from 2003 to 2007, 30.7% of those involved driver speeding and 11.4% involved drivers who did not yield to traffic signs or signals. They also interviewed drivers about aggressive driving practices and concluded that many adhered to an old adage.

Do as I Say, Not as I Do

Interestingly, AAA reports that while 78% of respondents thought that aggressive driving was a serious problem, many of those same people reported that they have also acted aggressively while driving by:

• Speeding on highways. Nearly half of the people surveyed reported exceeding the speed limit on highways by at least 15 mph.
• Speeding on secondary roads. 15% of respondents reported exceeding the speed limit on secondary roads by at least 15 mph.
• Speeding to beat a yellow light. 58% of respondents reported speeding up to beat a yellow light.
• Honking. 41% of respondents reported honking at other drivers.
• Wanting others to go faster. 41% of respondents reported pressuring other drivers to speed up.
• Running red lights. 6% of respondents reported running red lights.

To view the study, click here.

Have you been injured by an aggressive driver?

If you’ve been injured in a car accident (link to ) involving an aggressive driver, you should know that many states have laws that specifically prohibit aggressive driving. An experienced auto accident attorney can evaluate your situation and explain your options.