Traffic Safety Laws
Aggressive Driving
Aggressive drivers - those who operate a motor vehicle in a manner that endangers persons or property - are becoming more common on congested roadways.
Virginia law addresses aggressive driving, although the language is apparently subjective and difficult to prosecute. Drivers in Virginia can currently be arrested for behavior that demonstrates behavior that:
Is a hazard to others with the intent to harass, intimidate, injure or obstruct another person and commits at least one of the following: failure to drive on the right side of highway, failure to drive in lanes marked for traffic, following too closely, failure to yield right of way, failure to obey traffic control device, passing on right, speeding, stopping on a highway.
The law makes aggressive driving a Class 2 misdemeanor; however, aggressive driving with the intent to injure another person will become a Class 1 misdemeanor.
Motorists can report aggressive drivers to the Virginia State Police by dialing #77 on their cellular phones. Callers should be prepared to give a description of the situation as well as the location, direction of travel, vehicle description and license plate number.