Aggressive Drivers

What is aggressive driving?

Aggressive driving is defined as a combination of unsafe and unlawful driving actions, which demonstrate a conscious and willful disregard for safety. Aggressive driving includes such offenses as tailgating, unsafe lane changes, speeding, running red lights and stop signs, following too closely, improper passing and failing to yield the right of way. In fact, nearly eight out of 10 motorists say aggressive drivers are a greater danger than terrorists.

Traits of an Aggressive Driver

Drive too fast, over the posted speed limit.
Run red lights or stop signs.
Weave in and out of traffic.
Change lane frequently and abruptly without the use of signals.
Tailgate other vehicles.
Follow too closely.

What Area Drivers Say:

Aggressive driving is the greatest threat people face on the road - even ahead of drunk driving.
44 percent of drivers say other threats including drunk driving, large trucks and congestion, pale in comparison to aggressive driving.
Most drivers say in the past year they personally have seen aggressive driving so dangerous that it puts others on the road at risk.
About 55 percent of the drivers polled say the problem is getting worse. Another 39 percent say the situation is no better.

The Speed Factor

Typically, aggressive driving involves excessive speeding. Speeding is one of the most common causes associated with crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. It is a factor in 31 percent of all fatal crashes.

§46.2-868.1. Aggressive driving; penalties.

A person is guilty of aggressive driving if (i) the person violates one or more of the following: §46.2-802 (Drive on right side of highways), §46.2-804 (Failure to observe lanes marked for traffic), §46.2-816 (Following too closely), §46.2-821 (Vehicles before entering certain highways shall stop or yield right-of-way), §46.2-833.1 (Evasion of traffic control devices), §46.2-838 (Passing when overtaking a vehicle), §46.2-841 (When overtaking vehicle may pass on right), §46.2-842 (Driver to give way to overtaking vehicle), §46.2-842.1 (Driver to give way to certain overtaking vehicles on divided highway), §46.2-843 (Limitations on overtaking and passing), any provision of Article 8 (§46.2-870 et seq.) of Chapter 8 of Title 46.2 (Speed), or §46.2-888 (Stopping on highways); and (ii) that person is a hazard to another person or commits an offense in clause (i) with the intent to harass, intimidate, injure or obstruct another person.
Aggressive driving shall be punished as a Class 2 misdemeanor. However, aggressive driving with the intent to injure another person shall be punished as a Class 1 misdemeanor. In addition to the penalties described in this subsection, the court may require successful completion of an aggressive driving program.

The manner in which a person operates a vehicle is behavior based. Please contact the Chesapeake Police Department to report such unsafe behavior.