Aggressive, distracted and drowsy driving

Key points

1. Aggressive driving includes speeding, tailgating, ignoring signals, unsafe lane changes and not yielding.

   Source: Handbook p. 34

   “Examples of aggressive driving include: speeding, tailgating, ignoring traffic signals and devices, making unsafe lane changes, not yielding the right-of-way”
   Maryland Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 34

2. Distracted driving causes more police reported crashes than anything else.

   Source: Handbook p. 34

   “Distracted driving causes more crashes that are reported to the police than anything else.”
   Maryland Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 34

3. One third of fatal crashes are caused by distracted driving.

   Source: Handbook p. 36

   “One-third of fatal crashes are caused by distracted driving.”
   Maryland Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 36

4. Using a hand held phone, including texting, while driving is illegal.

   Source: Handbook p. 35

   “It is illegal to use a hand-held cell phone, including texting, while driving.”
   Maryland Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 35

5. Under 18, you may not use a cell phone while driving, even hands free, except to call 911.

   Source: Handbook p. 35

   “If you are under 18 years old, you may not use a cell phone while driving, even hands-free. The only exception is that you may use it to make a 911 emergency call.”
   Maryland Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 35

6. Sleepiness slows reaction time and impairs judgment, just like drugs or alcohol.

   Source: Handbook p. 35

   “Sleepiness slows reaction time, decreases awareness, and impairs judgment, just like drugs or alcohol.”
   Maryland Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 35

7. Warning signs of drowsiness include not remembering the last few miles, missing your exit and drifting from your lane.

   Source: Handbook p. 35

   “You don't remember driving the last few miles. You missed your exit. You keep driving out of your lane.”
   Maryland Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 35

8. If you get tired or sleepy, it is best to rest or change drivers.

   Source: Handbook p. 35

   “If you become tired or sleepy while driving, it is best to rest or change drivers.”
   Maryland Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 35

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Maryland practice test

1. 1. What share of fatal crashes does the Maryland manual attribute to distracted driving?

   1. One tenth
   2. Nearly all
   3. One third
   4. About 2 percent
   Show answer

   One third. One third of fatal crashes are caused by distracted driving, and cell phone use is one of the leading causes. Other deadly distractions include eating, applying makeup, dealing with children and adjusting controls. Maryland bans hand held phone use, including texting, while driving. Make a plan before you drive so nothing competes for your attention on the road, and pull over if something must be handled.

2. 2. What should drivers do to reduce the possibility of aggressive driving incidents?

   1. Ignore traffic laws when another driver is aggressive
   2. Compete with drivers who are moving too slowly
   3. Follow an impatient driver closely to discourage passing
   4. Respect and cooperate with other people using the road
   Show answer

   Respect and cooperate with other people using the road. Maryland advises drivers to respect and cooperate with everyone using the road as one way to reduce aggressive-driving incidents. That means keeping your own conduct calm, lawful, and predictable instead of turning delays or disagreements into a contest. Competing with slower drivers raises conflict, and following closely removes the space needed to respond safely. Ignoring traffic laws creates additional danger rather than resolving it. Allow extra travel time, stay patient, signal intentions, and leave room when another driver behaves aggressively.

3. 3. What is a common effect of driving over Maryland's speed limit?

   1. It guarantees a shorter stopping distance
   2. It increases the likelihood of decisions that put people at risk
   3. It makes hazards easier to recognize
   4. It eliminates the need to adjust speed for conditions
   Show answer

   It increases the likelihood of decisions that put people at risk. The manual identifies speeding as a common cause of crashes and warns that excessive speed leads to decisions that put people at risk. More speed does not guarantee a shorter stop or better hazard recognition. It can reduce the time available to notice a problem and respond, while increasing the consequences of a collision. Drivers must still account for weather, traffic, visibility, and roadway design. A practical cue is to treat extra speed as lost reaction time, not saved travel time, especially when a hazard may appear with little warning.

Source: the Maryland Driver's Manual, Section 6: Dangerous Driving Behaviors. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.