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New Hampshire driving lesson · Dangerous Driving

Aggressive driving and emotions

A 2-minute lesson from the New Hampshire course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

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Read time
2 minutes
Course unit
Dangerous Driving
Checkpoint questions
5
Source pages
15, 16, 17, 23

Your mood behind the wheel matters. Aggressive driving means taking deliberate risks with other people's safety. Strong emotions like anger or worry can also cloud how you process what's happening on the road.

Aggressive driving

When a person intentionally commits an action that endangers other persons or property.

Handbook p. 15 ↗

Behaviors typically associated with aggressive driving:

  • Speeding
  • Following too closely
  • Unsafe lane changes
  • Improperly signaling
  • Failing to obey traffic control devices (stop signs, yield signs, signals, railroad crossing signals)
Handbook p. 15 ↗

Know the rule

Concentrate on driving, and be patient and courteous to other road users.

Handbook p. 15 ↗

Know the rule

Emotions may interfere with your ability to process information: being overly worried, excited, afraid, angry or depressed can affect your driving.

Handbook p. 16 ↗

Ways to deal with emotions:

  • Take time to calm down before driving; a short walk or nap may help
  • Leave a few minutes early and plan for traffic congestion or poor weather
  • Have someone else drive
Handbook p. 17 ↗

Know the rule

If you are tailgated, find a safe place to pull over and let the vehicle pass.

Handbook p. 23 ↗

Put it into practice

You just had a heated argument and grab your keys, still angry. Take a short walk to calm down first, or ask someone else to drive. Anger can affect how you process what's on the road.

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.

What defines aggressive driving according to the NH manual?
  1. Driving over the speed limit by any amount
  2. Any traffic violation that causes a crash
  3. Driving while upset or angry
  4. Intentionally endangering other people or property

Answer: Intentionally endangering other people or property

Aggressive driving is intentionally endangering other people or property.

Handbook p. 15 ↗
Which of the following is listed as a behavior typically associated with aggressive driving?
  1. Yielding to pedestrians
  2. Checking mirrors frequently
  3. Using a turn signal early
  4. Following too closely

Answer: Following too closely

Following too closely is listed as a behavior typically associated with aggressive driving.

Handbook p. 15 ↗
What does the manual recommend a driver do before getting behind the wheel while emotionally upset?
  1. Play calming music and start driving
  2. Take time to calm down, such as a short walk
  3. Drive a familiar route to stay relaxed
  4. Keep the trip short and go straight home

Answer: Take time to calm down, such as a short walk

Drivers should take time to calm down, such as a short walk or nap, before driving.

Handbook p. 17 ↗
Which emotion is listed in the manual as something that can interfere with a driver's ability to process information?
  1. Curiosity
  2. Boredom
  3. Contentment
  4. Anger

Answer: Anger

Being overly worried, excited, afraid, angry, or depressed can affect safe driving.

Handbook p. 16 ↗
What should a driver do to avoid stressful situations caused by traffic congestion or poor weather?
  1. Leave a few minutes early
  2. Take the shortest possible route
  3. Leave right at the planned time
  4. Drive a little above the limit

Answer: Leave a few minutes early

Leaving a few minutes early helps avoid stress from traffic congestion or poor weather.

Handbook p. 17 ↗
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