SPEED/
AGGRESSIVE DRIVING
Speeding and aggressive driving are dangerous problems on our roads today. Unsafe driving behavior includes:
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speeding,
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tailgating,
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weaving in and out of traffic,
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running red lights,
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or any combination of these activities.
The District was one of the first jurisdictions in the region to join the Smooth Operator Program, a regional anti-aggressive driving initiative that today involves more than 50 law enforcement agencies in Maryland and the District of Columbia. Every year, Metropolitan Police participate in law enforcement waves targeting aggressive driversenforce speed and aggressive driving violations year round. Offenses include:
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SPEEDING – going faster than the posted speed limit or too fast for weather conditions;
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RUNNING RED LIGHTS – and running stop signs;
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TAILGATING – or following other vehicles too closely;
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MAKING FREQUENT LANE CHANGES -unsafe lane changes or weaving in and out of traffic to get ahead;
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FAILING TO YIELD THE RIGHT OF WAY – not allowing other drivers to merge or cutting other drivers off;
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PASSING IMPROPERLY – passing on the right, passing on the shoulder of the road, or failing to use turn signals when changing lanes.
Aggressive driving is defined as occurring when “an individual commits a combination of moving traffic offenses so as to endanger other persons or property.”
THE FACTS
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It is estimated that aggressive driving is a factor in an approximately one-third of all crashes, injuries, and fatalities nationally.
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In 2013, close to 10,000 people were killed in crashes involving speed, according to NHTSA.
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The Federal Highway Administration found that, on average, 70 percent of motorists exceed the posted speed limits.
Aggressive driving is a factor in nearly one-third of all crashes,
injuries, and fatalities nationally.
EMBRACE SPEED LIMTS.
