Aggressive Driving: Safety Tips Every Driver Should Know

CVSA Shares Tips to Help Truck Drivers Avoid Aggressive Driving

With CVSA’s Operation Safe Driver Week scheduled for July 12-18, drivers across North America will soon see increased enforcement focused on unsafe driving behaviors. As the annual campaign approaches, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) is reminding commercial drivers that aggressive driving, distracted driving, and other risky behaviors continue to contribute to crashes on the nation’s roadways.

To help drivers stay safe, CVSA has published a series of educational materials covering aggressive driving, defensive driving techniques, and distraction prevention. The guidance offers practical steps that professional drivers can use every day to reduce risks behind the wheel.

Why Aggressive Driving Matters

According to CVSA, aggressive driving includes unsafe behaviors that are performed deliberately and with disregard for safety. Examples include speeding, tailgating, weaving through traffic, blocking vehicles from passing, running red lights, and making unsafe lane changes. The message to drivers is simple: “Don’t provoke, don’t be provoked.”

Dangerous driving behaviors can have serious consequences.

The NHTSA estimates that 36,640 people were killed in traffic crashes in the United States during 2025. Canada records approximately 2,000 traffic fatalities annually, while Mexico reported nearly 16,000 road deaths in 2022.

Beyond the risk of crashes, aggressive driving violations can also affect a driver’s safety record and increase the likelihood of future crashes.

Research cited by CVSA from the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) found that drivers with certain violations are significantly more likely to be involved in a crash.

For example:

• Reckless driving violations increase crash likelihood by 114%
• Failure-to-yield violations increase crash likelihood by 101%
• Failure to keep in the proper lane increases crash likelihood by 83%
• Following too closely increases crash likelihood by 46%
• Speeding violations increase crash likelihood by 45%

The data shows that many of the violations commonly associated with aggressive driving are also linked to higher crash involvement.

Tips for Avoiding Aggressive Driving

Leave Extra Time for Every Trip

Many aggressive driving behaviors begin with drivers feeling rushed. Allowing enough time to reach a destination can help reduce stress and eliminate the temptation to speed, tailgate, or make risky passing maneuvers.

Keep a Safe Following Distance

Following too closely reduces visibility and limits reaction time. CVSA recommends maintaining at least a four-second following distance under normal driving conditions and increasing that distance during rain, snow, ice, or heavy traffic.

Never Engage With Aggressive Drivers

Professional drivers encounter impatient motorists every day. While it can be frustrating, responding emotionally often makes the situation worse. CVSA advises drivers to avoid making gestures, flashing lights, using the horn in anger, or attempting to “teach another driver a lesson.” Instead, create space and let the aggressive driver move on.

Remember the Three Bs:

1. Be courteous

2. Be patient

3. Be forgiving

Those habits can help prevent minor traffic conflicts from escalating into dangerous situations.

Defensive Driving Techniques Every Driver Should Know

Commercial drivers are often required to compensate for mistakes made by others on the road. CVSA recommends several defensive driving practices that can help drivers identify hazards early and react safely.

Search Ahead Constantly

Drivers should regularly scan the roadway ahead, check mirrors, and monitor traffic conditions around the vehicle. Watching brake lights, merging traffic, and changing road conditions can provide valuable extra seconds to react.

Be Aware of Truck Blind Spots

Passenger vehicle drivers often enter areas where truck drivers have limited visibility. Checking mirrors frequently and anticipating unsafe actions from nearby vehicles can help reduce the risk of collisions.

Slow Down for Curves and Bad Weather

Speed should always match road and weather conditions. CVSA recommends reducing speed significantly during snow, ice, heavy rain, or other adverse conditions. Drivers should also enter curves cautiously, especially when hauling heavy or shifting loads.

Use the GOAL Method When Backing

Backing accidents remain one of the most common causes of preventable crashes. CVSA reminds drivers to use GOAL — Get Out And Look — before backing into a parking space, loading dock, or other tight area.

Distracted Driving Is Still a Major Threat

CVSA also warns rs of distracted driving. Distractions generally fall into three categories:

Visual Distractions

These occur when drivers take their eyes off the road. At 55 mph, looking away from the roadway for just three seconds means traveling nearly 250 feet without watching traffic.

Manual Distractions

These occur when drivers remove one or both hands from the steering wheel. Examples include eating, drinking, adjusting controls, or reaching for objects inside the cab.

Cognitive Distractions

These occur when a driver’s mind is focused on something other than driving. Stress, fatigue, anger, daydreaming, and multitasking can all reduce awareness and reaction time. Texting is particularly dangerous because it combines all three forms of distraction at the same time.

Simple Habits That Improve Safety

CVSA’s safety materials emphasize that safe driving often comes down to consistent daily habits.

Drivers can improve safety by:

• Wearing a seat belt on every trip
• Programming GPS devices before driving
• Putting phones on silent or Do Not Disturb mode
• Getting enough sleep before a trip
• Avoiding alcohol and drugs
• Understanding medication side effects
• Pulling over when fatigue becomes a concern
• Staying focused on the driving task

The Bottom Line

Aggressive driving, distracted driving, and poor driving habits continue to contribute to crashes across North America. CVSA’s guidance focuses on simple actions that professional drivers can take every day to reduce risk behind the wheel.

Allowing extra time, maintaining safe following distances, avoiding distractions, and practicing defensive driving techniques can help drivers stay safer while sharing the road with motorists who may not always make the best decisions.