Aggressive driving is a growing menace on Texas roads. It poses a great danger to drivers, cyclists, pedestrians, and traffic officers alike. Recent statistics have shown it to cause car accidents, which often result in extensive property damage, severe injury, or even death. Fortunately, Texas laws protect victims of such accidents by making them eligible for compensation.
If you have been injured in a Texas reckless driving accident, a Husain Law + Associates — Houston Accident & Injury Lawyers, P.C can help you file a claim. Contact Husain Law + Associates — Houston Accident & Injury Lawyers, P.C., to schedule a consultation.
Meanwhile, here is all you need to know about aggressive driving and how to protect yourself from road rage in Houston:
What is Aggressive Driving?
An aggressive or careless driver will usually behave negatively towards other road users. They often use their vehicle to intimidate other drivers or motorists. In most cases, they make sudden or threatening tricks designed to create unsafe road conditions for other people.
Aggressive driving is often synonymous with road rage. A driver displaying road rage will tend to lose their temper and react angrily to a traffic disturbance.
Aggressive drivers are a danger. They can disrupt road use and distract other drivers enough to cause an accident. Typically, there are specific behaviours recognised as aggressive driving. They include:
- Changing lanes without signaling
- Tailgating other vehicles
- Slowing the vehicle down after passing another car
- Cutting off other motorists
- Flashing headlights to force other vehicles to move aside
- Passing a lane too slow for others to pass
- Ignoring traffic lights and signs
- Blasting the horn insistently.
- Driving the vehicle with high beam lights on behind other cars or toward oncoming traffic
How Should You React to Aggressive Driving?
Aggressive drivers can be infuriating. However, it is best to keep calm when faced with one. This will allow you more response time should they suddenly put you in danger. Avoid reacting to anything the driver says or does, as they may construe this as an encouragement to continue their behaviour.
- When you experience road rage from an aggressive driver, you should:
- Avoid making eye contact with them
- Remain polite and courteous even when insulted
- Avoid reacting aggressively in turn
- Obey all traffic lights, signs, and laws
- Maintain a safe distance from all vehicles
- Try to remain in one lane
- Signal other vehicles when shifting lanes
- Use your car horn sparingly and only when necessary
- Try to calm yourself if you are feeling frustrated
- Put physical distance between your car and the aggressive driver
- Avoid initiating or joining in any road races
- If things get out of hand, pull over when it is safe and call the police
How to Report Reckless Driving in Texas
When you encounter reckless driving Texas, a driver weaves through traffic, overspeeds, tailgates, or neglects the traffic lights, it is worth acting. One of the major causes of aggressive driving accidents in Houston is a careless driver, who can cause injuries and save lives through prompt reporting.
When you find yourself in a Texas reckless driving situation, this is what you can do:
Call 911 in case of an emergency: If the driver responsible is reckless and may threaten to cause an accident at any given time, dial 911 immediately. Give the dispatcher important information, including: make, model, colour of the vehicle, license plate number, location and direction in which the vehicle is heading.
Contact the non-emergency police line: Use the police line in cases where you do not need an urgent response but are still in need of police services in Houston (or the police in the area where you are located). Non-emergency reporting also assists officers in tracking the dangerous driving trends.
Forward a report to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS): The DPS is a recipient of reports concerning reckless and aggressive driving. A filing of such information allows the police to follow repeat offenders and deploy patrols in strategically dangerous neighbourhoods.
Record safely when you can: When you can, make notes in a non-distracting manner so that you do not lose track of driving. Dashcam video may be helpful evidence as well.
Always keep in mind, never attempt to overtake or chase a hoard driver. Rather, put your safety first by maintaining a distance apart and leave the trained authorities to contain the situation. By reporting these instances, you will help to make the roads safer and prevent the risk of Texas reckless driving cases as an occurrence in Houston.
Can Someone Report You for Reckless Driving?
Yes, any person who observes the acts of reckless driving in Texas may report the matter to law enforcement. If another driver, pedestrian, or even a passenger notices unsafe actions like speeding, swerving or aggressive driving in the lanes, he/she can dial 911 or a non-emergency number to give your vehicle information.
Although a single complaint cannot always result in an immediate citation, constant complaints or proof like dashcam videos may cause a police investigation. In severe situations, such reports may result in traffic stops, citations or even criminal action of a violation by reckless Texas driving.
Talk to a Houston Car Accident Attorney
At Husain Law + Associates — Houston Accident & Injury Lawyers, P.C., we understand the severe repercussions of aggressive driving. We employ our expertise and resources to helping victims of road rage accidents recover damages. Choose us to represent your rights: we will evaluate your case and file a claim against the aggressive driver. We will also conduct investigations and attend negotiations on your behalf.
Our main aim is to get you the maximum compensation possible for your injuries. If you need our help with an aggressive driving case, call us on (713) 804-8149 or contact us online to talk to a Houston Aggressive Driving Accident Attorney.
Contact Husain Law + Associates — Houston Accident & Injury Lawyers, P.C Aggressive Driving Accidents Lawyers In Houston
If you need an aggressive driving attorney in Houston, we are here to help. We help you with your personal injury case by offering helpful advice and legal representation. Ensuring you get maximum compensation is our team’s priority. To learn more about how we can help, call us today at (713) 804-8149) for a free case evaluation.