Aggressive Driving and Road Rage in Florida

What is Aggressive Driving? Did you know Florida has an aggressive driving statute?[1] Aggressive driving is defined as driving while committing any two of the following offenses: 1. Exceeding the posted speed limit;2. Improperly or unsafely changing lanes;3. Tailgating;4. Failure to yield the right of way;5. Improper or dangerous passing; or6. Failure to obey traffic […]

What is Aggressive Driving?

Did you know Florida has an aggressive driving statute?[1] Aggressive driving is defined as driving while committing any two of the following offenses:

1. Exceeding the posted speed limit;
2. Improperly or unsafely changing lanes;
3. Tailgating;
4. Failure to yield the right of way;
5. Improper or dangerous passing; or
6. Failure to obey traffic control devices.

It all sounds pretty reasonable, correct? Although there is a separate aggressive driving statute, there are no additional penalties for violating this law. It is essentially kept on the books as a method in which statistics may be tracked on accidents involving aggressive driving. Aggressive driving and road rage, in many instances blend together. Obviously, there are instances of road rage, such as waiving or discharging a gun which are well beyond the concept which I am discussing. Where the line blurred is when a driving becomes frustrated and acts in an aggressive and dangerous manner due to the frustration.

Aggressive Driving and Road Rage Causes Accidents

The Florida DMV has shared the story of Kierra Shore on their website.[2] Ms. Shore, a 24 year old mother of twins turned onto a busy street and got in the left lane. This forced the driver another vehicle, already in the left lane, to slow down. Understandably, this second driver was frustrated, but his subsequent actions perfectly illustrate an accident caused by aggressive driving or road rage. According to witnesses, the second driver began to tailgate Ms. Shore, in an effort to make her move over so that he could pass. He then passed in the right hand lane and immediately pulled back in front of Ms. Shore. He then tapped his brakes. Ms. Shore swerved off the road and was killed in an accident. The second driver was not charged with a crime.

Driving Tips to Avoid Aggressive Drivers

With all of the information out there, I still see drivers engaging one another in an aggressive manner on a regular basis. The St. Petersburg, Clearwater and Tampa metropolitan area ranks as some of the most dangerous in the country. It is estimated that the vast majority of accidents are caused by driver error including aggressive driving and distracted driving. The logical question is how can I keep me and my family as safe as possible on some of the countries most dangerous roads? In theory it is simple, but sometimes human nature gets in the way:

1. Get out of the way of erratic drivers;
2. Do not remain in the left lane when other drivers are attempting to pass;
3. Do not challenge aggressive drivers;
4. Report aggressive driving when seen;
5. Give the aggressive driver the benefit of the doubt; and
6. Remain calm.

Another real tragedy associated with instances of aggressive driving or road rage is that many times the injured party was not the aggressive driver or even the object of his rage, but nearby drivers unaware of what was transpiring or pedestrians or bicyclists who are completely unable to protect themselves from this type of situation.

Contact Jones Law Group

Have you or a loved one been injured in an accident caused by aggressive driver or road rage? Contact an experienced St. Petersburg personal injury attorney at Jones Law Group today. When you contact our office we will immediately set an appointment where you will meet your attorney and be provided with his/her personal contact information. If you do not have transportation or you cannot drive, your attorney will travel to meet you and discuss your case with you.

Whether you were a pedestrian, a bicyclist, or the occupant of car, motorcycle or boat and have been injured in an accident, you should immediately call an experienced personal injury attorney in St. Petersburg at Jones Law Group at (727) 571-1333 during regular business hours or (727) 753-8657 on weekends or after regular business hours. We will evaluate your case for free and you will never pay us a dime unless we recover compensation for your injuries.

Jones Law Group
5622 Central Avenue
St. Pete, FL 33707

References:

[1] http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=0300-0399/0316/Sections/0316.1923.html

[2] http://www.dmvflorida.org/road-rage-kills.shtml