Roadwise States District of Columbia Driving lessons Aggressive, reckless & negligent driving District of Columbia driving lesson · Safe Driving Fundamentals
Aggressive, reckless & negligent driving A 3-minute lesson from the District of Columbia course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Read time 3 minutes
Course unit Safe Driving Fundamentals
Checkpoint questions 6
Source pages 21 Aggressive driving is a form of reckless driving, and it's behind a large share of serious crashes. Know what counts as aggressive, what causes it, and how to deal with an aggressive driver.
2/3 Share of all fatal crashes caused by aggressive drivers (NHTSA estimate)
Handbook p. 21 ↗ Nearly 35% Share of all crashes aggressive drivers are responsible for
Handbook p. 21 ↗ You may be guilty of aggressive driving if you: Pass traffic lights with a steady RED indication Overtake and pass vehicles Pass on the right Change lanes swiftly Follow too closely Fail to yield the right-of-way Exceed the maximum speed limit Handbook p. 21 ↗ What causes aggressive driving: Crowded roads Being in a hurry Road work Stress from other areas of life Dangerous driving attitudes Selfishness Handbook p. 21 ↗ How to avoid becoming an aggressive driver: Plan ahead Obey the speed limit Identify alternative routes Just be late Be a courteous and patient driver Handbook p. 21 ↗ Protecting yourself and preventing it: Get out of the way and let an aggressive driver pass Don't challenge them Avoid eye contact Always be a courteous driver Report incidents of aggressive driving to the police Set an example for younger passengers Handbook p. 21 ↗ Reckless driving Driving with a willful disregard for the safety of people or property, or in a manner that shows such willful disregard.
Handbook p. 21 ↗ Negligent driving Driving in a careless or imprudent manner that endangers any property or the life of any individual.
Handbook p. 21 ↗ Know the rule
You must not take part in any vehicle race, speed exhibition or speed contest, including drag races, on any public street, road or highway.
Handbook p. 21 ↗ Put it into practice
A driver rides your bumper, then swerves around you on the right. Don't speed up, brake-check or stare them down. Move over, let them pass, avoid eye contact, and report the incident to police when it's safe.
A useful reminder Reckless = WILLFUL disregard. Negligent = CARELESS or imprudent. The word 'willful' is the difference.
Check your understanding Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.
NHTSA estimates aggressive drivers are responsible for nearly what share of all crashes? About 18% Nearly 35% About 50% About 75% Answer: Nearly 35%
NHTSA estimates aggressive drivers are responsible for nearly 35% of all crashes.
Handbook p. 21 ↗ What share of all fatal crashes does the handbook say aggressive driving causes? 1/3 1/2 2/3 1/10 Answer: 2/3
The handbook states aggressive drivers cause 2/3 of all fatal crashes.
Handbook p. 21 ↗ Which of these behaviors is listed as an example of aggressive driving in DC? Signaling before a lane change Stopping for a yellow light Yielding at a four-way stop Passing a red traffic light Answer: Passing a red traffic light
Passing traffic lights on steady red is listed among the behaviors that define aggressive driving.
Handbook p. 21 ↗ What distinguishes reckless driving from negligent driving under DC law? Reckless driving is willful; negligent driving is careless Reckless driving only involves speeding Negligent driving requires causing a crash There is no legal distinction between them Answer: Reckless driving is willful; negligent driving is careless
Reckless driving requires willful disregard for safety; negligent driving is careless or imprudent operation that endangers others.
Handbook p. 21 ↗ Racing another vehicle on a DC public street, even informally, is best described as: Legal if both drivers agree Prohibited drag racing Legal if you stay under the limit Illegal only on interstates Answer: Prohibited drag racing
DC law prohibits any vehicle race, speed exhibition, or speed contest on public streets, roads, or highways.
Handbook p. 21 ↗ What is a recommended way to protect yourself from an aggressive driver? Match their speed to keep pace Flash your high beams repeatedly Let them pass and get out of the way Tap your brakes to warn them Answer: Let them pass and get out of the way
The handbook recommends letting an aggressive driver pass and avoiding challenging them or making eye contact.
Handbook p. 21 ↗ Previous lesson Being ready to drive Next lesson Road rage & your emotions More in Safe Driving Fundamentals About the source Roadwise’s District of Columbia course uses the driver handbook edition supplied with this study pack. This lesson cites source pages 21. The linked PDF is a third-party mirror of the handbook, rather than a government-hosted page.
Open the handbook source PDF · View the source edition
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