You have probably encountered aggressive truck drivers on Atlanta’s busy roads and wondered why truck drivers appear so angry. When a truck driver acts aggressively on the roads, they put everyone else on the road in danger.
Aggressive driving is a major problem in the trucking industry for various reasons. The American Automobile Association defines aggressive driving as unsafe behavior with a disregard for the safety of other drivers.
Examples of aggressive driving
There are many examples of aggressive driving, including:
- Following too closely
- Speeding
- Tailgating
- Weaving through traffic
Failing to follow traffic laws, such as running red lights and cutting off other drivers without using a turn signal, are other examples of aggressive behavior.
Aggressive driving versus road rage
In serious cases, aggressive driving can escalate to road rage. You may not realize that there is a difference between aggressive driving and road rage.
The difference lies in the element of harmful intent. Aggressive driving is careless behavior, such as the behaviors described above, that increase the chance of a serious or dangerous crash.
Road rage goes beyond careless, aggressive driving. Road rage occurs when a driver develops an intent to harm someone else on the road, even up to the point of wanting to cause a deadly collision.
Reasons for aggressive driving in truck drivers
Aggressive driving and road rage are seen in truck drivers for various reasons. One is being behind schedule.
The trucking industry puts a lot of pressure on their drivers to meet deadlines but many factors cause truckers to get behind schedule. Weather, traffic or another accident can cause driving slowdowns.
When truck drivers get behind, they can engage in aggressive driving to get back on schedule. This can be especially true during the holiday season, when truck drivers are particularly busy delivering gift packages.
Fatigue is another common cause of aggressive driving in truck drivers. The tight schedules, combined with long and odd hours on the roads, mean truck drivers are often driving when they should not be.
We are all more susceptible to anger when we are tired. An exhausted truck driver is likely to get angry by other drivers or road conditions. They may react to it by aggressively taking it out on other drivers.
How distraction can lead to aggressive driving
The long hours in a truck can result in distracted driving. While distracted driving is not unique to truck drivers, it is easier to fall victim to distracted driving when you are driving many hours in a tightly enclosed space.
Additionally, being alone with your thoughts that take your mind off the road is a form of distracted driving. Truck drivers who are driving alone for too long can get caught up in their own thoughts and fail to be mindful of other drivers.
What to do about aggressive truck drivers
When you see aggressive driving in a truck driver, you can report it to the police if you believe they are a danger to other drivers. Stay as far away from them as possible. If they tailgate you, let them pass you and do not match their aggressive behavior.
Safety should be a number one priority in the trucking industry. If you are injured by an aggressive truck driver who did not make safety their priority, you have a right to seek compensation.