Safety Tips

DMV Safety: Aggressive Driving

If you are traveling on a Virginia interstate and notice someone driving in an aggressive manner, dial #77 on your cellular phone. When you call, be sure to give a description of the driver's vehicle and its license number, location and direction of travel. (Virginia State Police)

To avoid being an aggressive driver:

Allow plenty of time to get to your destination and plan your journey to avoid rush hours.
Improve the comfort in your vehicle and understand that you cannot control the traffic.
Don't drive when you are angry.
Listen to soothing music when you drive.
Listen to traffic and weather reports to learn of potential delays and hazards. (NHTSA)

To be a courteous driver:

Do not tailgate.
Use your horn sparingly.
Do not block the passing lane.
Provide appropriate distance when cutting in after passing another vehicle.
Use your signals to indicate a turn or lane change.
Concentrate on your driving-not on your cell phone, stereo, passengers or other distractions.
Avoid unnecessary use of your high beam headlights. (NHTSA)

To handle an aggressive driver:

Get out the way and let an aggressive driver pass.
Avoid direct eye contact.
Never try to teach an aggressive driver a lesson.
Do not react to provocation.
If you are followed, drive to a police station or a busy public place. Do not drive home or get out of your car.
Ignore gestures and refuse to return them.
Report an aggressive driver to the police and provide a description of the driver's vehicle and its license number, location, and direction of travel.
If an aggressive driver is involved in a crash farther down the road, stop a safe distance from the crash scene, wait for the police to arrive, and report the driving behavior that you witnessed. (NHTSA)

Safe Following Distance:

Always keep a safe following distance of 2 seconds behind the vehicle ahead of you. This will allow adequate time to react in case of something rendering the person ahead of you to slam his/her brakes. Always keep a 3-4 second following distance in bad to worse weather situations, as the bad weather reduces traction and visibility. When following behind a tractor trailer, keep far enough back so you can see the side-view mirrors on the truck. If you cannot see the side-view mirrors; the trucker cannot see you.