HPD Corner

by Staff Pioneer Times
16 years ago

    Aggressive Drivers – Who are they? Here’s what we know of them, and what is reported on them, so far.
    These high-risk drivers climb anonymously into an automobile and take out their frustration on anybody at the time. For them, frustration level is high and level of concern for fellow motorist is low.
    They run stop signs and red lights, speed, tailgate, weave in and out of traffic, pass on the right, make improper and unsafe lane changes, make hand gestures, scream, honk their horn and flash their lights.
    They drive at speeds far in excess of the norm which cause them to follow to closely, change lanes frequently and abruptly without notice (no signals), pass on the shoulder or unpaved portions of the road, and leer at and threaten – verbally or through gestures motorist who are in front of them.
    When confronted by an Aggressive Drive:
    • First and foremost, make every attempt to get out of the way.
    • Put your pride in the back seat. Do not challenge them by speeding up or attempting to hold your own in the travel lane.
    • Always wear your seatbelt. It will hold you in your seat and behind the wheel in case you need to make an abrupt driving maneuver and it protects you in a crash.
    • Avoid eye contact.
    • Ignore gestures and refuse to return them.
    • Report aggressive drivers to the proper authorities by providing a vehicle description, license number, location, and if possible, direction of travel.
    • If you have a cell phone, and can do so safely, call the police from your vehicle.
    • 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.
    • Avoid the challenges or confrontation of an aggressive driver and support law enforcement effort to rid the streets and highways of this menace.
    For more information, contact the Houlton Police Department at 532-2287; Maine State Police at 532-5400 or the Aroostook Sheriff Department at 532-7317.