In 2020, there were 5,615 aggressive driving crashes, resulting in 91 fatalities and 401 suspected serious injuries.

Aggressive driving crashes are crashes involving at least two aggressive driving factors in the same crash. Below is a list of factors that comprise aggressive driving.

• Making illegal u-turn
• Improper/careless turning
• Turning from wrong lane
• Proceeding w/o clearance after stop
• Running stop sign  
• Running red light
• Failure to respond to other traffic control device
• Tailgating
• Sudden slowing/stopping
• Careless passing or lane change
• Passing in no passing zone
• Making improper entrance to highway
• Making improper exit from highway
• Speeding
• Driving too fast for conditions
• Driver fleeing police

Tips for Drivers who Encounter Aggressive Drivers

If you encounter an aggressive driver, PennDOT offers these tips for what to do:

• Get out of their way and don't challenge them.
• Stay relaxed, avoid eye contact and ignore rude gestures.
• Don't block the passing lane if you are driving slower than most of the traffic.
• Do not attempt to follow or pursue the vehicle. You or a passenger may call the police. But, if you use a cell phone, pull over to a safe location.

Road Rage

While many people associate aggressive driving with road rage, they are two different behaviors. Road rage, which is a criminal offense, is often the result of aggressive driving behavior that escalates into an assault with a vehicle or other dangerous weapon.

Aggressive Driving Enforcement Strategies

Law enforcement will be on the lookout for aggressive driving behaviors, including speeding, tailgating, improper passing, red light running, and more.

Law enforcement agencies will concentrate efforts on roadways that are known to have a high number of aggressive-driving crashes.

Annual Aggressive Driving Enforcement Waves

• Each year there are three PennDOT-funded Aggressive Driving Enforcement Waves. The extra enforcement is part of Pennsylvania’s Highway Safety Program and is funded by part of PennDOT’s investment of federal funds from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
  
  • Oct 25-Nov 14, 2021: Aggressive Driving Enforcement Wave 1 (Theme: Move Over Law, school bus, speeding, and tailgating)
  • Mar 18-Apr 24, 2022: Aggressive Driving Enforcement Wave 2 (Theme: Distracted Driving, Speeding, and Work Zone Awareness)
  • Jul 5-Aug 21, 2022: Aggressive Driving Enforcement Wave 3 (Theme: Heavy Truck, Pedestrian Safety, Red Light Running, and Tailgating)
• Approximately 300 municipal police departments and the Pennsylvania State Police will participate in these enforcement efforts.
• Where events allow, participants are encouraged to provide reminders to “Share the Road” with all traffic modes, including bicycles, pedestrians, and motorcycles.
• NHTSA recommends addressing specific behaviors rather than general “aggressive driving” appeals.

Speeding

In 2020, there were 4,002 crashes in which at least one driver was speeding, resulting in 188 fatalities and 549 suspected serious injuries.

Speeding is an aggressive driving factor and is usually defined as driving in excess of the posted speed limit or driving too fast for conditions. It can have dangerous consequences, including:

• Reducing a driver’s ability to negotiate curves or maneuver around obstacles in the roadway.
• Extending the distance traveled before a vehicle can stop.
• Increasing the distance a vehicle travels while the driver reacts to a hazard.
• Increasing the risk of crashes and injuries because other vehicles and pedestrians may not be able to judge distance correctly.

For more information on aggressive driving, visit www.PennDOT.gov/safety.