Stop Driving Aggressively

Aggressive driving is a traffic offense or combination of offenses such as following too closely, speeding, unsafe lane changes, failing to signal intent to change lanes, and other forms of negligent or inconsiderate driving. The trigger for the aggressive driver is usually traffic congestion coupled with a schedule that is almost impossible to meet. As a result, the aggressive driver generally commits multiple violations in an attempt to make up time. Unfortunately, these actions put the rest of us at risk.

Answer the following questions to see whether you qualify:

DO YOU:

• Express Frustration. Taking out your frustrations on your fellow motorists can lead to violence or a crash.

• Fail to Pay Attention when Driving. Reading, eating, drinking or talking on the phone, can be a majorcause of roadway crashes.

• Tailgate. This is a major cause of crashes that can result in serious deaths or injuries.

• Make Frequent Lane Changes. If you whip in and out of lanes to advance ahead, you can be a danger to other motorists.

• Run Red Lights. Do not enter an intersection on a yellow light. Remember flashing red lights should be treated as a stop sign.

• Speed. Going faster than the posted speed limit, being a “road racer” and going too fast for conditions are some examples of speeding.

If you answer yes to any of the questions ask yourself what, if anything, are you going to do about it. Do you think that these questions don’t apply to you and you don’t intend to change? If so, just remember that in the event you kill or seriously injury another person, I’m waiting and the last thing you will ever want is to have this experienced Tennessee automobile accident attorney coming after you in court. I don’t fool around, I’ll open a serious can of butt-whippin’ on you. Wake up and arrive alive.

If you or a a loved one is injured or killed in a Tennessee automobile accident caused by an aggressive driver you are going to want me on your side. The Nashville car crash lawyers at Phillip Miller & Associates will strive mightily to secure a recovery that will satisfy you.

Aggressive Driving and Road Rage

As an experienced Tennessee Automobile accident attorney I often find myself discussing different aspects of highway safety and the problems that drivers face and cause as the cruise the highways. Many times I hear people mix up aggressive driving with road rage when in fact they are two very different things although they have common elements. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration defines road rage as “an assault with a motor vehicle or other dangerous weapon by the operator or passenger of another motor vehicle precipitated by an incident that occurred on a roadway.”

Aggressive driving on the other hand includes behavior such as speeding, tailgating, running red lights or stop signs, and weaving in and out of traffic. It is estimated that aggressive driving costs the economy more than $40.4 billion a year, not to mention thousands of fatalities. We have all seen them, these aggressive drivers, they ride on peoples bumpers to force them out of the way, they weave in and out of traffic, their sense of self-importance worn on their sleeves for the world to see.

Today, in my blog,  I’ll address the problem of aggressive driving. Aggressive driving behavior typically increases during the summer months, and the only way to put the brakes on it is to use a multi-pronged approach. Three states have been using this approach for several years now and have shown significant results. Maryland alone issued 205,062 tickets during the 2008 campaign, and the number of fatalities for aggressive driving was reduced. In Virginia, 98,474 tickets were issued and in Pennsylvania, 88,302.  These states used technology to identify those areas where aggressive driving was a particular problem and they then enlisted the cooperation of local and county law enforcement agencies and stepped up a concerted enforcement policy that followed a creative public education program.

For the second summer in a row the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) will intensify its enforcement efforts aimed at aggressive drivers with it’s program, “100 Days of Summer HEAT” enforcement campaign. All summer long Troopers statewide will put the brakes on speeding motorists, impaired drivers and those not buckled up properly.

If you witness aggressive driving identify the vehicle (color, make and plate number if possible) and then pull over at the next safe place and call the THP (*847) or your local police (911)and report them. Taking a minute to make the call might mean that someone down the line will live on the make it home to see their families. If you or a family member or friend is injured or killed in a Tennessee traffic accident by an aggressive driver call the experienced Tennessee accident lawyers at Phillip Miller & Associates and find out about your rights and remedies.

Road Rage In Tennessee

As an experienced Tennessee automobile accident attorney I can tell you that taking a walk, even on a sidewalk, requires one to stay alert for all sorts of traffic hazards. According to a number of studies, in the last 15 years, more than 76,000 Americans have been killed while crossing or walking along a street in their community. More than 43,000 Americans, including 3,906 children under 16 have been killed this decade alone. This is the equivalent of a jumbo jet going down roughly every month, yet it receives nothing like the kind of attention that would surely follow such a disaster.

Reference an incident the other day in Murphreesboro, Tennessee in which a pedestrian crossing the street was almost run down by a motor vehicle. When the pedestrian yelled at the driver to slow down, the driver backed up, got out of the car, pulled a pistol and threatened the pedestrian. After some threats the gunman got into his car and drove away.

This incident brings into focus the difference between aggressive driving and road rage. Aggressive driving is a traffic offense or combination of offenses such as following too closely, speeding, unsafe lane changes, failing to signal intent to change lanes, and other forms of negligent or inconsiderate driving. , on the other hand, Road rage is a criminal offense. This occurs when a traffic incident escalates into a far more serious situation.

If you or a loved one is injured or killed in a Tennessee car accident involving an aggressive driver or a road rager, contact the experienced Nashville auto accident lawyers at Phillip Miller & Associates and find out about your rights and remedies.

Report Road Ragers

As an experienced Tennessee auto accident lawyer I am seeing an increase in the number of road rage incidents. Many times the general public confuse aggressive driving and road rage. There is a distinct difference. Aggressive driving is a traffic offense or combination of offenses such as following too closely, speeding, unsafe lane changes, failing to signal intent to change lanes, and other forms of negligent or inconsiderate driving. The trigger for the aggressive driver is usually traffic congestion coupled with a schedule that is almost impossible to meet. As a result, the aggressive driver generally commits multiple violations in an attempt to make up time.

Road rage, on the other hand, is a criminal offense. This occurs when a traffic incident escalates into a far more serious situation. For example, a person may become so angry over an aggressive driving incident that he or she overreacts and retaliates with some type of violence. These violent acts may range from a physical confrontation to an assault with a motor vehicle or possibly a weapon.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) defines road rage as “an assault with a motor vehicle or other dangerous weapon by the operator or passenger of one motor vehicle on the operator or passenger(s) of another motor vehicle precipitated by an incident that occurred on a roadway. Road rage requires willful disregard for the safety of others.

Reference a recent incident which takes road rage to new levels. A Nashville man had just picked up his ten year old daughter from school when a man in an SUV apparently took political offense at the man’s Obama/Biden bumper sticker. He started off with blowing the horn and shooting him the bird as he pointed to his bumper sticker.

At first the man didn’t understand what the “Rager” meant to say. He soon found out when the “Rager” began to ram his car several times. The man thought he had simply been in a fender bender and he pulled over and got out of his car. The “Rager” didn’t stop. He began to push the vehicle off of the road and up onto a sidewalk with the then hysterical 10-year-old inside. After pushing the car up onto the sidewalk the cowardly “Road Rager” sped off, leaving the scene of the collision.

Another driver followed the “Road Rager” to a parking lot some distance away and kept him secure until the police arrived and arrested the 70-year-old man who was drunk. He has been charged with a number of felony counts and is presently in the Metro jail.

I would encourage each driver who ventures out onto the highways and byways of Tennessee to arm themselves with the telephone numbers of the appropriate law enforcement agency, either 911 or *847 for State Troopers and when you witness an aggressive driver, a road rager or a drag racer, pull over to a safe place and call in the license number, description of the vehicle and any other specifics that you observed. Save a life and tell all of your friends and families to step up and help reduce traffic fatalities in Tennessee.

If you or a loved one is injured or killed in a Tennessee automobile accident by a Road Rager, contact the experienced Nashville automobile accident attorneys at Phillip Miller & Associates and get a complete picture of your rights and remedies.

Aggressive Drivers

As an experienced Tennessee car accident lawyer I regularly witness the role of aggressive drivers in many Tennessee car accidents. Statistics suggest that as many as one third of traffic crashes resulting in death can be attributed to aggressive driving and two-thirds of resulting deaths can be attributed to aggressive driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) ,  defines aggressive driving as “the operation of a motor vehicle in a manner which endangers or is likely to endanger persons or property.” Some of the most common actions considered aggressive include:

* Speeding

* Red light running

* Failure to yield

* Following too closely

* Unsafe lane changes

* Failure to obey traffic control devices

* Failure to use proper signals

* Improper passing

Many states around the nation have specific statutes prohibiting Aggressive driving. In Tennessee aggressive driving is addressed in the Statutes as Reckless Driving. TN Code section 55-10-205)55-10-205, describes reckless driving as; “Any person who drives any vehicle in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property commits reckless driving.”

In addition to legislation, states, including Tennessee are addressing aggressive driving in other ways, including:

* Increased enforcement, through programs

* Local citizens’ initiatives and coalitions that implement public information/education campaigns to improve driver courtesy.

* Technological advances, such as photo radar.

* State public information and education programs that focus on the dangers of aggressive driving, provide tips for safe driving, publicize upcoming enforcement programs or advertise tip lines for reporting aggressive driving behavior.

I would encourage each driver who ventures out onto the highways and byways of Tennessee to arm themselves with the telephone number of the appropriate law enforcement agency (State Troopers *847, Sheriff’s Office or Local Police, 911) and when you witness an aggressive driver, pull over to a safe place and call in the license number, description of the vehicle and any other specifics that you observed. Save a life and tell all of your friends and families to step up and help reduce traffic fatalities in Tennessee.

If you or a loved one is injured or killed in a Tennessee car accident cuased by an aggressive driver contact the experienced Nashville automobile accident attorneys at Phillip Miller & Associates and find out about your rights and remedies.

Drag Racing Is Aggressive Driving

As an experienced Tennessee car accident lawyer, I regularly witness the role of aggressive drivers in many Tennessee car accidents. Statistics suggest that as many as one third of traffic crashes resulting in death can be attributed to aggressive driving and two-thirds of resulting deaths can be attributed to aggressive driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)  defines aggressive driving as “the operation of a motor vehicle in a manner which endangers or is likely to endanger persons or property.” Some of the most common actions considered aggressive include:

* Speeding

* Red light running

* Failure to yield

* Following too closely

* Unsafe lane changes

* Failure to obey traffic control devices

* Failure to use proper signals

* Improper passing

During the last several weeks I have noticed three Tennessee accidents, one fatal, involving another type of aggressive driving and that is the drag racer. When a Tennessee driver uses the highways and byways of our state as a race track, without regard for the lives and safety of innocent fellow drivers they are committing a crime.

Many states around the nation have specific statutes prohibiting aggressive driving, specifically drag racing. In Tennessee aggressive driving is addressed in the statutes as Reckless Driving. TN Code section 55-10-205)55-10-205, describes reckless driving as; “Any person who drives any vehicle in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property commits reckless driving.” Sound like the shoe fits the drag racer? You bet it does.

I would encourage each driver who ventures out onto the highways and byways of Tennessee to arm themselves with the telephone number of the appropriate law enforcement agency, either 911 or *847 for State Troopers and when you witness an aggressive driver, or a drag racer, pull over to a safe place and call in the license number, description of the vehicle and any other specifics that you observed. Save a life and tell all of your friends and families to step up and help reduce traffic fatalities in Tennessee.

If you or a loved one is injured or killed in a Tennessee automobile accident by an aggressive driver or drag racer, contact the experienced Nashville automobile accident attorneys at Phillip Miller & Associates and get a complete picture of your rights and remedies.

Agressive Driving

Lately this Tennessee automobile accident lawyer has been giving a lot of thought to acts of aggressive driving. A recent article on the website of the Atlanta-Journal-Constitution points out an incident on I-285 that epitomizes the thoughtless nature of aggressive drivers who choose to put the lives of other drivers on the line so that they can get the thrill of drag racing.

According to the article two cars were racing on I-285 when one of them clipped another car and then, at high speed, hit three other cars, sending at least three people, with moderate to mild injuries, to the hospital and leaving thousands of dollars of damaged vehicle. Instead of stopping to see if they could help the inured, the cowardly jerks fled the scene.

Aggressive driving is a traffic offense or combination of offenses such as following too closely, speeding, unsafe lane changes, failing to signal intent to change lanes, and other forms of negligent or inconsiderate driving. Unfortunately, these actions put the rest of us at risk.

Aggressive driving is a major concern of the American public, ranking at or near the top of traffic safety issues in national surveys of motorists. In Tennessee and throughout the country, the public’s concern over aggressive driving continues to grow. Some studies indicate the public is actually more fearful of aggressive drivers than it is of impaired drivers. Aggressive driving is truly dangerous and cannot be tolerated.

If you or a loved one is injured or killed in a Tennessee automobile accident caused by an aggressive driver contact the experienced Nashville automobile accident attorneys at Phillip Miller & Associates and find out all about your rights and remedies.

Drag Racing Is Aggressive Driving

In all of the north East Tennessee news media they are referring to the trial of Timothy Sumner, 23 of Kingsport, as a drag racing incident but as an experienced Tennessee automobile accident lawyer I know it as a classic example of an aggressive driving event.

The media reports tell us that Sumner who is facing a charge of felony reckless endangerment, approached a green Chevrolet Camaro driven by Michelle Ruth Donihe, 35 from behind at a high rate of speed. When he reached her bumper, he swerved into the middle lane, forcing her Camaro in the middle lane to swerve to the inside lane in an attempt to avoid a collision. When Donihe swerved, her Camaro hit a 1958 Corvette in the inside lane. There were no fatalities but damage to the vintage Corvette is estimated to be in the $20,000 range.

Aggressive driving is a traffic offense or combination of offenses such as following too closely, speeding, unsafe lane changes, failing to signal intent to change lanes, and other forms of negligent or inconsiderate driving. Unfortunately, these actions put the rest of us at risk. For example, an aggressive driver who resorts to using a roadway shoulder to pass may startle other drivers and cause them to take an evasive action that results in more risk or even a crash.

Aggressive driving is a major concern of the American public, ranking at or near the top of traffic safety issues in national surveys of motorists. In Tennessee and throughout the country, the public’s concern over aggressive driving continues to grow. Some studies indicate the public is actually more fearful of aggressive drivers than it is of impaired drivers. Aggressive driving is truly dangerous and cannot be tolerated.

If you or a loved one is injured or killed in a Tennessee automobile accident caused by an aggressive driver contact the experienced Nashville automobile accident attorneys at Phillip Miller & Associates and find out all about your rights and remedies.

Road Rage Is A Crime

In my Blog  “The Tennessee auto Accident Attorney” I haven’t written about a road rage incident in quite a while. A recent article on the website of WRBC TV in Chattanooga reports on a serious incident of rage, which fortunately didn’t leave anyone injured. It appears that a driver was somehow miffed at a school bus driver who was trying to change lanes. The miffed driver wouldn’t yield and the bus driver completed the lane change anyway. When the bus stopped at a light the raging driver jumped on board and confronted the driver. When the bus driver called 911 the rager fled.

Many people misunderstand the difference between aggressive driving and what has become known as “Road Rage”. Most experienced Tennessee Car accident lawyers think of  aggressive driving as certain driving behaviors, such as speeding, tailgating, or violating traffic control devices, road rage, on the other hand, is a criminal offense. Road rage occurs when a traffic incident escalates into a far more serious situation. For example, a person may become so angry over an aggressive driving incident that he or she overreacts and retaliates with some type of violence. These violent acts may range from a physical confrontation to an assault with a motor vehicle or possibly a weapon. Often, the roadway incident that caused the person to become enraged may have been something quite simple and even trivial.

Some incidents, by their very nature, are intentional acts, such as when a motorist switches from lane to lane in an effort to go around other vehicles. But others may have been committed unintentionally, such as when a motorist makes an abrupt exit from a roadway without properly signaling his or her intent. Many road rage incidents have resulted from drivers overreacting and allowing their egos to stand in the way of common sense and good judgment rather than safely reporting aggressive driving incidents. A simple display of common courtesy will often be appreciated and may even become contagious.

The public also plays a role in making roadways safer.  If you’re a witness to, or victim of road rage or any other form of aggressive driving, report it by dialing *847.  Never retaliate or react in a manner that causes more danger. Slow down and let the other driver pass.  When it’s safe to use your cell phone, call *847 and provide the Troopers with your location, a description of the vehicle and details regarding the aggressive driving behavior.

If you or a loved one is involved in a Tennessee automobile accident involving an aggressive or  road rage driver it is critical that you contact the experienced Nashville automobile accident attorneys at Phillip Miller & Associates and take advantage of a free consultation to find out about your rights and remedies.

Report Road Rage

In my Blog  “The Tennessee auto Accident Attorney” I wrote about aggressive driving. Many people misunderstand the difference between aggressive driving and what has become known as “Road Rage”. Most experienced Tennessee Car accident lawyers think of  aggressive driving as certain driving behaviors, such as speeding, tailgating, or violating traffic control devices,

Road rage, on the other hand, is a criminal offense. Road rage occurs when a traffic incident escalates into a far more serious situation. For example, a person may become so angry over an aggressive driving incident that he or she overreacts and retaliates with some type of violence. These violent acts may range from a physical confrontation to an assault with a motor vehicle or possibly a weapon. Often, the roadway incident that caused the person to become enraged may have been something quite simple and even trivial.

Some incidents, by their very nature, are intentional acts, such as when a motorist switches from lane to lane in an effort to go around other vehicles. But others may have been committed unintentionally, such as when a motorist makes an abrupt exit from a roadway without properly signaling his or her intent. Many road rage incidents have resulted from drivers overreacting and allowing their egos to stand in the way of common sense and good judgment rather than safely reporting aggressive driving incidents. A simple display of common courtesy will often be appreciated and may even become contagious.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) defines road rage as “an assault with a motor vehicle or other dangerous weapon by the operator or passenger of one motor vehicle on the operator or passenger(s) of another motor vehicle precipitated by an incident that occurred on a roadway. Road rage requires willful disregard for the safety of others.

Aggressive driving has emerged as a real threat to the safety of Tennessee motorists. That’s why the Tennessee Highway Patrol takes a hard stance against any motorist who demonstrates aggressive, dangerous activities while driving in our state.

The public also plays a role in making roadways safer.  If you’re a witness to, or victim of road rage or any other form of aggressive driving, report it by dialing *847.  Never retaliate or react in a manner that causes more danger. Slow down and let the other driver pass.  When it’s safe to use your cell phone, call *847 and provide them with your location, a description of the vehicle and details regarding the aggressive driving behavior.

If you or a loved one is involved in a Tennessee automobile accident involving an aggressive or  road rage driver it is critical that you contact the experienced Nashville automobile accident attorneys at Phillip Miller & Associates and take advantage of a free consultation to find out about your rights and remedies.