Kansas City Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Sometimes, a car accident simply can't be avoided. However, as Kansas City personal injury lawyers, we know that many serious crashes are preventable, provided drivers act with regard for the safety of other motorists. In this post, we discuss the dangers of aggressive driving and recommend a few tips to help promote safe travel for all Missourians.

What is aggressive driving?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) defines aggressive driving as occurring when "an individual commits a combination of moving offenses so as to endanger other persons or property." Aggressive driving often involves dangerous driving behaviors like speeding, making quick lane changes, failing to yield, tailgating and running stoplights or stop signs. According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, nearly 90% of drivers nationwide believe that aggressive drivers pose a "very serious" or "somewhat serious" threat to their personal safety.

It's important to note that there's a distinction between aggressive driving and what's commonly known as "road rage." While the term aggressive driving tends to refer to a series of traffic violations, road rage is a criminal offense defined as "an assault with a motor vehicle or other dangerous weapon by the operator or passenger(s) of one motor vehicle on the operator or passenger(s) of another motor vehicle or is caused by an incident that occurred on a roadway." Both behaviors, however, can cause serious auto accidents.

How can aggressive driving behaviors be prevented?

Dealing with traffic conditions can be stressful, and it's easy to get frustrated. However, there are a few important steps you can take to help ensure you keep your cool when you're behind the wheel.

• Allow yourself extra time to drive to your destination. This way, you'll be less likely to become impatient with heavy traffic, construction zones, and other roadway scenarios that may slow your pace.

• Stay calm and focus on your own driving. Remember, there's nothing you can do to change or control traffic: yelling, laying on your horn and pounding on the steering wheel might be tempting, but will ultimately do no good. Control your emotions and avoid taking your frustration out on other drivers.

Continue reading "Aggressive drivers increase safety risks for Kansas City motorists" »

Here in Kansas City, heavy metro traffic can agitate even the most patient driver. However, as our Missouri car accident lawyers know, aggressive drivers can pose a serious threat to all motorists on the road. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) defines an aggressive driver as "an individual [who] commits a combination of moving traffic offenses so as to endanger other persons or property." While many people think that aggressive driving is the same thing as "road rage," that's actually not the case. Road rage is a media-invented term that's used to describe violent roadway incidents, like when a driver physically assaults another motorist, or uses his or her vehicle as a weapon. Those actions are criminal offenses. In contrast, aggressive drivers commit traffic offenses - like speeding, tailgating, illegal passing or dangerous lane changes - that endanger other motorists on the road.

How big is the problem of aggressive driving?
In a study conducted by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, 78% of respondents said aggressive driving was a serious or extremely serious safety issue on U.S. roadways. In spite of these concerns, respondents also admitted to engaging in the following behaviors within the past 30 days:

• Nearly half of respondents said they had exceeded the posted speed limit by 15 miles per hour on major highways.

• 58% admitted to speeding up to beat a yellow light.

• 41% said they had honked at other drivers.

• 22% said they had followed another driver too closely.

• 6% said they had deliberately run red lights.

• Behaviors commonly linked to aggressive driving factor into an estimated 56% of all fatal crashes nationwide.

What factors contribute to the problem of aggressive driving?
Research from the Automobile Association suggests that numerous environmental and psychological factors can influence driver aggression, including:

• Overcrowding. Drivers are more prone to aggressive behavior in congested traffic conditions.

• Noise & temperature. While these factors don't necessarily provoke aggressive behavior, loud or hot conditions can directly influence the level or intensity of aggression.

• Territoriality. From drivers' perspective, researchers found that motor vehicles appear to straddle the line between public and private domains. It's common for drivers to view the vehicle as their own private space, or an extension of their home, which can affect the way they behave when they drive the vehicle on public roadways.

What should I do if I encounter an aggressive driver?
Here are some basic safety tips to remember if you find yourself traveling near an aggressive driver:

• Do everything you can to move out of the driver's way. Don't speed up or attempt to challenge the driver in any way.

• Don't make eye-contact with the driver, and refrain from returning any gestures or comments.

• Report aggressive driving to law enforcement officials. (Be sure you pull over in a safe place before using your cell phone.)

Continue reading "Aggressive driving & Kansas City car accidents: Statistics & safety tips" »

If you're planning on taking one last summer road trip over the upcoming Labor Day holiday, you'll probably notice an increased number of state troopers on Missouri's highways. That's because the Highway Patrol will conduct Operation C.A.R.E. along with a 20-mile Trooper operation over Labor Day weekend. These initiatives are designed to help prevent Missouri auto accidents over the busy holiday travel period.

What is Operation C.A.R.E.?

Operation C.A.R.E. (Combined Accident Reduction Effort) is a national enforcement operation that aims to reduce car accidents through aggressive enforcement of traffic laws. C.A.R.E. events usually occur around holiday weekends, or any time more vehicles than usual are expected on the road. These operations specifically target motorists who are speeding dangerously or driving aggressively.

The goal of the operation is to ticket offenders and deter reckless roadway conduct: with increased Highway Patrol presence and enforcement, drivers are less likely to commit traffic violations that can cause serious accidents. Often, seeing a vehicle pulled over will prompt other drivers to slow down and drive more cautiously.

During Operation C.A.R.E., all available law enforcement officers patrol targeted areas of Missouri roadways. The 20-Mile Trooper operation enhances this effort by placing troopers along 20 mile sections of major roads and highways. In addition to making traffic stops, troopers are also available to help stranded motorists or assist with other driver or vehicle emergencies.

In 2011, there were a total of 952 Missouri car accidents over the Labor Day holiday weekend: 13 people were killed and 443 others were injured in these crashes. In addition, troopers arrested 175 people for driving while intoxicated.

Continue reading "Missouri Highway Patrol encourages driver safety over Labor Day weekend" »

According to the Missouri Driving Guide, an aggressive driver is "an individual [who] commits a combination of moving traffic offenses so as to endanger other persons or property." Aggressive drivers significantly increase the chances of a car accident in Lee's Summit and elsewhere throughout Missouri. Traffic accidents caused by these irresponsible drivers can result in significant property damage, personal injury and even death. It's important to remember that these types of accidents are completely preventable.

Our Kansas City car accident attorneys would like to discuss the consequences that are associated with aggressive driving. Of course, we all get a little frustrated behind the wheel from time to time, but there are more efficient ways to deal with driving-related stress than driving aggressively, thereby endangering our passengers and other motorists (not to mention ourselves). It's also important to know how to handle encounters with aggressive drivers: one wrong move could make them snap. Learning how to deal with these drivers safely can help you avoid a potentially serious accident.

Common Aggressive Driver Behaviors:

• Using the horn gratuitously (especially to express frustration).
• Flashing the headlights.
• Forcing another driver to swerve.
• Intentionally tailgating.
• Yelling at other motorists.
• Making rude gestures.
• Illegally passing other vehicles.
• Traveling faster than 80 miles per hour.
• Running stop signs and red lights.
• Weaving in and out of traffic.

Every year, there are nearly 35,000 people who die on U.S. roadways. This means that nearly 4 people die every hour. Many of these traffic fatalities are the result of those irresponsible and aggressive drivers.

Continue reading "Aggressive Drivers Make Car Accidents More Likely in Independence, Missouri & Nationwide" »