Summary of Legislative Bills
on Aggressive Driving
Based on a report by the
National Conference of State
Legislatures
Arizona HB2311 Approved by the governor May 26, 1998
Classifies aggressive driving as a class 1 misdemeanor and requires drivers convicted
of the offense to attend driver training and education. Defines aggressive driving as
occurring when a driver
- speeds
- commits two or more listed offenses that include failing to obey a traffic control
device
- drives over the "gore" area entering or exiting a highway
- drives recklessly
- passes a vehicle on the right by traveling off the pavement
- changes lanes erratically
- follows too closely
- fails to yield right of way
- is an immediate hazard to another person or vehicle.
Connecticut HB5267 and HB5675
Allows the commissioner of Motor Vehicles to require a driver with two or more moving
violations in one year to attend a class about controlling aggressive driving. Creates a
penalty for aggressive driving of not more than $250 and a 30-day driver’s license
suspension. Aggressive driving is defined as
- driving in a manner that evidences a pattern of dangerous conduct contributing to the
likelihood of a collision or necessitating evasive action by another operator of a motor
vehicle to avoid a collision.
- driving recklessly
- failing to stop when directed by a police officer
Hawaii SB2054
The offense is punishable by a fine of not less than $200 nor more than $2,500 and jail
time for not less than one month nor more than one year. The court will assess five points
against the driving record of people convicted of this offense. Creates the offense of
aggressive driving that includes operating a vehicle:
- In a contentious or antagonistic manner that endangers the safety of another or of
property
- With a willful and wanton disregard for the life, limb or property of another
- While either the driver or a passenger is brandishing a firearm, or any object similar
in appearance, in such a manner as to reasonably induce fear in the mind of another
- In a threatening or intimidating manner with intent to cause another motorist to lose
control or be forced off the highway.
Illinois HB2509 Passed the House March 27, 1998
Aggressive driving is a class B misdemeanor and a second offense is a class A
misdemeanor. Road rage violations result in mandatory driver’s license revocation.
- Creates the offense of road rage for any person who intentionally drives a vehicle, with
malice, in such a manner as to endanger the safety or property of another.
- Aggravated road rage occurs when the violation results in great bodily harm or
disfigurement to another and is a class 4 felony.
- Also creates the offense of aggressive driving when a person operates a vehicle
carelessly or heedlessly in disregard for the rights of others, in a manner that endangers
or is likely to endanger any property or person, or committing three or more traffic
offenses.
Maryland HB292 and HB294 and HB989
Requires the Motor Vehicle administrator to assess points for multiple violations
committed by an aggressive driver. Creates the offense of aggressive driving when a person
- drives a motor vehicle in a deliberately discourteous, intolerant, and impatient manner
that evidences a pattern of dangerous conduct contributing to the likelihood of a
collision or necessitating evasive action by another driver of a motor vehicle to avoid a
collision.
- is convicted of four or more violations occurring at the same time or three violations
with one of the offenses being exceeding the speed limit by at least 30 mph.
Requires curriculum in driver improvement courses to address aggressive driving
- to raise awareness of the behavior
- modify aggressive driving behavior
- provide information on alternative methods for dealing with impatience, frustration,
anger and intolerance on the roads.
Nebraska
LB1188 and LR 373 and LR 391
Amends the offense of reckless driving to include
- driving in a threatening or intimidating manner
- flashing headlights
- honking the horn
- following too closely.
- pointing a firearm or weapon while driving
New York
AB8817/S5959, AB9713, AB10037, SB 6956/AB11118, SB 7328, and SB
7451/AB10968
Requires pre-licensing education about aggressive driving, provides for driver's
license suspension or revocation for violations and prohibits a reduction in insurance
premiums for any course which fails to address aggressive driving. Classifies aggressive
driving as a class E felony. Requires aggressive driving education as a prerequisite for
obtaining a driver’s license. Creates the offense of aggressive driving that
includes:
- operating a vehicle in a reckless manner that creates a substantial risk of serious
physical injury to another
- displaying a weapon or what appears to be a weapon in such a manner to place another
person in reasonable fear of injury or death
- operating a vehicle in such a manner as to place another in reasonable fear of physical
injury or death
- driving with intent to harass, annoy or alarm another person in a manner contrary to law
- changing lanes or speed in a manner that serves no legitimate purpose and creates a
substantial risk of injury or death to another
- recklessly creating a substantial risk of serious injury or death or driving with intent
to place another in fear of injury or death
- intentionally displaying a weapon
- with intent to harass or alarm another, intentionally causing a collision
- commits criminally aggressive driving and causes serious physical injury or death
- commits criminally aggressive driving for the second time in five years
Requires that pre-licensing and defensive driving courses devote a minimum of 15
minutes of instruction to road rage awareness. Topics to be covered include
- the hazards of driving while under the influence of "road rage,"
- the sanctions for road rage related violations
- biological and medical effects of the development and expression of road rage.
Virginia
HB895, HB1309/SB546, HB896, and HJR169 Signed by the governor on March
13, 1998.
Aggressive driving constitutes a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $200
nor more than $2,500 and jail time for no less than one month nor more than one year, 48
hours of which will be a minimum mandatory sentence. Requires driver’s education
programs offered through the school system to include instruction concerning aggressive
driving. Creates an aggressive driving offense defined as:
- operating a vehicle with a wanton disregard for the life, limb, or property of another
- driving and brandishing a firearm or weapon in such a manner as to reasonably induce
fear in the mind of another
- operating a vehicle in a threatening or intimidating manner with the intent to cause
others to lose control or be forced off the highway.
- operating a vehicle with a reckless disregard for the rights of others or in a manner
that endangers any property or person
- committing any two or more violations in a single act or series of acts in close
proximity to another vehicle
- changing lanes unsafely
- following too closely
- failing to yield
- speeding
- driving too fast for conditions
- failing to signal and racing
Washington SB6708
The first violation is a misdemeanor and carries a fine of not less than $350 nor more
than $5,000 and jail time of a minimum of 24 hours. A second violation in a five-year
period is a gross misdemeanor with penalties of two days in jail and a fine of not less
than $500 nor more than $5,000. (Died in rules committee). Creates the offense of
aggressive driving and defines it as
- committing any two or more acts of aggressive driving within five consecutive miles in a
manner that intimidates or threatens another person
- failing to obey traffic control devices
- passing improperly
- following too closely
- changing lanes improperly
- failing to yield right of way
- signaling improperly
- overtaking and passing a school bus
- speeding
- stopping on the roadway
- driving with wheels off the roadway
- throwing glass or other sharp objects on to the road.
Database
of Links and Addresses to Government Agencies
Introduction
|
Summary Table on Aggressive Driving Laws
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Summary Table of State Speed Laws
|
Summary Table of Special Sanctions for Exceeding the Speed
Limit in Either a Construction or School Zone
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State By State Analysis
|
Appendix
Loyola University -- Page on Transportation, Road Rage,
Aggressive Driving
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AAA Aggressive Driving
Tips
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Aggressive Driving in
Young Drivers
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Alabama Researchers
Study Aggressive Driving
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Canadian Safety Council
Finds High Levels of Aggressive Driving
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Drivers ignore school
speed zones, increase risk for children
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Individuals of All
Types in a Hurry, Run Red Lights
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Institute finds Arizona
tops list for Red-Light Running Crashes
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Motorists are aware of
Aggressive Driving, but still drive dangerously
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NAGHSR finds States are
Fighting against Aggressive Driving
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Road Rage the Newest
Road Hazard
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Sobering Facts About
Impaired Pedestrians
Google Search on
Aggressive Driving Legislation
"...the
definitive