Chief: Are YOU the Aggressive Driver?

Submitted by Grafton Police Chief Normand A. Crepeau Jr.

It does not take long to find examples of aggressive driving on our roadways.  Most of us see it every day: the road racer, the distracter, the tailgater, the frequent lane changer and the red light runner.  The atmosphere created by aggressive drivers is scary.  What about your own driving?

As promised I have provided a short test to help you determine if you are an aggressive driver.  Take a minute to evaluate yourself to see if you may have developed some habits that could be adding to the aggressive driving atmosphere.  Thanks again to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) at www.nhtsa.dot.gov  for providing information on this topic.

Are you an Aggressive Driver or a Smooth Operator?  Do you...

Yes

No

Overtake other vehicles only on the left?

Avoid blocking passing lanes?

Yield to faster traffic by moving to the right?

Keep to the right as much as possible on narrow streets and at intersections?

Maintain appropriate distance when following other motorists, bicyclists, motorcyclists, etc.?

Provide appropriate distance when cutting in after passing vehicles?

Use headlights in cloudy, rainy, and other low light conditions?

Yield to pedestrians?

Come to a complete stop at stop signs, before right turn on red, etc.?

Stop for red traffic lights?

Approach intersections and pedestrians at slow speeds to show your intention and ability to stop?

Follow right-of-way rules at four-way stops?

Drive below posted speed limits when conditions warrant?

Drive at slower speeds in construction zones?

Maintain speeds appropriate for conditions?

Use vehicle turn signals for all turns and lane changes?

Make eye contact and signal intentions where needed?

Acknowledge intentions of others?

Use your horn sparingly around pedestrians, at night, around hospitals, etc.?

Avoid unnecessary use of high beam headlights?

Yield and move to the right for emergency vehicles?

Refrain from flashing headlights to signal a desire to pass?

Drive trucks at posted speeds, in the proper lanes, using non-aggressive lane changing?

Make slow, deliberate U-turns?

Maintain proper speeds around roadway crashes?

Avoid returning inappropriate gestures?

Avoid challenging other drivers?

Try to get out of the way of aggressive drivers?

Refrain from momentarily using High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes to pass vehicles?

Focus on driving and avoid distracting activities (e.g., smoking, use of a car telephone, reading, shaving)?

Avoid driving when drowsy?

Avoid blocking the right-hand turn lane?

Avoid taking more than one parking space?

Avoid parking in a disabled space (if you are not disabled)?

Avoid letting your door hit the car parked next to you?

Avoid stopping in the road to talk with a pedestrian or other driver?

Avoid inflicting loud music on neighboring cars?

Score yourself:  Number of “No” Answers                                                                                                

1-3   Excellent             4-7   Good                   8-11   Fair                   12+   Poor

Anyone with questions for the Chief’s Column may submit them by mail to the Grafton Police Department, 28 Providence Road, Grafton, MA 01519.  You may also email your questions or comments to chief@graftonpolice.com.  Please include an appropriate subject line, as I do not open suspicious email for obvious reasons.