Aggressive driving, intersections and freeways

Key points

1. NHTSA estimates 66 percent of traffic fatalities are caused by aggressive driving behaviors.

   Source: Handbook p. 59

   “the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has estimated 66 percent of all traffic fatalities are caused by aggressive driving behaviors.”
   What Every Driver Must Know, Handbook p. 59

2. If confronted by an aggressive driver, get out of the way, avoid eye contact and ignore gestures.

   Source: Handbook p. 60

   “If confronted by an aggressive driver, attempt to get out of the way, avoid eye contact and ignore gestures or verbal attacks.”
   What Every Driver Must Know, Handbook p. 60

3. If someone tailgates you while you pass in the left lane, move back into the right lane when it is safe.

   Source: Handbook p. 60

   “If you are using the left-hand lane to pass slower traffic and someone tailgates you, move back into the right-hand lane when it is safe to do so”
   What Every Driver Must Know, Handbook p. 60

4. If obstructions block your view at an intersection, edge forward slowly until you can see.

   Source: Handbook p. 60

   “Edge forward slowly until you can see past whatever is blocking your view.”
   What Every Driver Must Know, Handbook p. 60

5. When merging onto a freeway, you must adjust your speed and position to merge safely with traffic already there.

   Source: Handbook p. 61

   “you are the one who must adjust speed and placement so as to merge safely and avoid a crash with traffic already on the freeway.”
   What Every Driver Must Know, Handbook p. 61

6. HOV lanes need 2 or more occupants during their hours.

   Source: Handbook p. 61

   “vehicles must have two or more occupants to use the HOV lane.”
   What Every Driver Must Know, Handbook p. 61

7. If you miss your exit, never back up, turn around or use a median crossover; go to the next exit.

   Source: Handbook p. 61

   “If you miss your exit ramp, never back up, turn around or use a median crossover. Instead, drive to the next exit.”
   What Every Driver Must Know, Handbook p. 61

8. Never stop on a freeway except in an emergency.

   Source: Handbook p. 61

   “Never stop on a freeway except for an emergency.”
   What Every Driver Must Know, Handbook p. 61

9. If you feel tired on a long trip, take a 10 minute break at least every 2 hours.

   Source: Handbook p. 62

   “If you feel tired, stop and take a 10-minute break at least every two hours.”
   What Every Driver Must Know, Handbook p. 62

10. Accelerating does not cancel cruise control.

    Source: Handbook p. 62

    “Acceleration does not cancel the cruise control setting”
    What Every Driver Must Know, Handbook p. 62

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Michigan practice test

1. 1. What should you do first if confronted by an aggressive driver?

   1. Make an angry gesture so the driver knows you are not intimidated
   2. Follow the driver closely to record the license plate
   3. Stop in the traffic lane and argue through the window
   4. Get out of the way, avoid eye contact, and ignore gestures or verbal attacks
   Show answer

   Get out of the way, avoid eye contact, and ignore gestures or verbal attacks. An encounter with an aggressive driver should be defused by creating space and refusing to participate in the confrontation. Move out of the way when possible, avoid eye contact, and ignore gestures or verbal attacks. An angry response can provoke more dangerous behavior. Following closely keeps you involved and adds a collision risk, while stopping in a travel lane exposes you and other drivers to a rear-end crash. If it is safe, report the driver to police. Your first priorities are distance, control, and avoiding an exchange that can escalate.

2. 2. If another driver tailgates you while you are using the left lane to pass, what is the safest response when possible?

   1. Move back into the right-hand lane and let the faster traffic move ahead
   2. Brake sharply so the other driver must stop
   3. Stay in the left lane and match the tailgater's speed
   4. Race the other driver to the next intersection
   Show answer

   Move back into the right-hand lane and let the faster traffic move ahead. Michigan's manual treats tailgating as an aggressive-driver behavior and advises moving back into the right-hand lane when it is safe, allowing faster traffic to move ahead. That gives the impatient driver space and reduces the chance of a risky passing maneuver around you. Sudden braking could cause a rear-end crash. Matching speed keeps the conflict beside or behind you, and racing adds another dangerous decision. The cue is to create separation, avoid proving a point, and let the aggressive vehicle get in front where you can see it.

3. 3. What share of traffic fatalities does NHTSA estimate are caused by aggressive driving, according to the Michigan manual?

   1. 66 percent
   2. 5 percent
   3. 25 percent
   4. 95 percent
   Show answer

   66 percent. The exact number of crashes caused by aggressive drivers is unknown, but the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has estimated that 66 percent of all traffic fatalities are caused by aggressive driving behaviors such as speeding, tailgating and weaving. If you meet an aggressive driver, do not engage, give them room, and call 911 if you feel threatened. Ask yourself whether your own habits match the aggressive driver checklist.

Source: the What Every Driver Must Know, Chapter 7: Emergencies and Special Situations. 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.