CPD releases tips on avoiding aggressive driving
Road rage factors include following too closely and running red lights.
Published March 2, 2009
The Columbia Police Department warned residents about the dangers of road rage and defined the actual crime in its most recent newsletter.
Every month, the department releases the CrimeWatch newsletter to warn Columbia residents about any crime trends in the city. CPD addressed the issue of aggressive driving to inform local drivers of the serious problems that come from aggressive driving in its March newsletter.
"I put the article in the newsletter on aggressive driving this month because it will soon be spring and people will be out more," CPD Sgt. Lloyd Simons said. "We continue to try to educate the public about aggressive driving."
CPD Lt. Scott Young said the department sporadically encounters problems with road rage.
"We have the occasional confrontation but it's pretty rare," Young said.
Young said aggressive driving cases have stayed relatively constant in Columbia.
Aggressive driving, also referred to as road rage, is when drivers make inappropriate gestures toward other drivers and threaten people on the road.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol doesn't have a specific statute for defining road rage, but they recognize factors that might lead to it.
"There are typically several different violations that contribute to aggressive driving," Missouri State Highway Patrol Capt. Tim Hull said. "This includes following too closely, speeding, failure to use a turn signal. All of these violations can be perceived by another driver as aggressive driving that can lead to an accident."
Speeding played a role in 34 accidents in 2007, according to crime statistics from the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
Running red lights and stop signs, passing on the right and making precarious lane changes also make up aggressive driving, the newsletter stated.
In this month's newsletter, CPD offers helpful tips for drivers if they encounter an aggressive driver. Wearing a seatbelt is the most important thing a driver and passengers should do, regardless if there is contact with an aggressive driver.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol also participates in the Special Traffic Enforcement Program, Hull said.
"We put several officers in a particular area and they look for those types of violations that contribute to road rage," Hull said.
CPD said drivers should try to get out of the way of aggressive drivers.
Police warn against break checking aggressive drivers or trying to contest them by speeding up. Eye contact with aggressive drivers should also be avoided.
Aggressive drivers have the tendency to threaten other drivers who try to defy them, the newsletter stated.
Police advise residents who witness accidents due to aggressive driving to remain a safe distance from the accident but to remain at the scene until police arrive.
CPD suggests reporting the aggressive driver to the police. When contacting the police such information as the driver, a license plate number, description of the vehicle, the location and which direction the driver is headed, should be given.
"Anyone who observes an aggressive driver can call and report it at 442-6131," Simons said. "This lets officers know to be on the lookout for the offender and gives us the opportunity to address it."
-- News Editor Abby Rogers contributed to this report.
