Aggressive, distracted and drowsy driving

Key points

1. Aggressive driving means intending to harass, intimidate, injure or obstruct someone while committing traffic offenses.

   Source: Handbook p. 23

   “This dangerous driving behavior is defined by Virginia law as the intent to harass, intimidate, injure or obstruct another person while committing one or more traffic offenses”
   Virginia Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 23

2. Stay out of an aggressive driver's way and do not challenge them.

   Source: Handbook p. 23

   “If you see an aggressive driver, stay out of the way. Don’t challenge the aggressive driver by speeding up or trying to out-maneuver him.”
   Virginia Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 23

3. An aggressive driving conviction can suspend your license for 10 days up to 6 months.

   Source: Handbook p. 23

   “if you are convicted of aggressive driving, your license could be suspended for ten days or for as long as six months.”
   Virginia Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 23

4. Virginia law prohibits holding a phone or other wireless device while driving, except in an emergency or when lawfully parked or stopped.

   Source: Handbook p. 24

   “Virginia law prohibits drivers from holding cell phones or any other wireless communication devices while driving except in a driver emergency or the vehicle is lawfully parked or stopped.”
   Virginia Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 24

5. Driver distraction causes roughly 17 percent of Virginia traffic crashes each year.

   Source: Handbook p. 24

   “Annually, driver distraction accounts for roughly 17 percent of all traffic crashes in Virginia.”
   Virginia Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 24

6. On long trips, stop at least every 2 hours to rest.

   Source: Handbook p. 24

   “Limit long distance driving. Stop at least every two hours for rest.”
   Virginia Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 24

7. As little as 10 to 20 minutes of sleep can make a big difference.

   Source: Handbook p. 24

   “Stop at a safe place and take a nap. As little as 10 to 20 minutes of sleep can make a big difference.”
   Virginia Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 24

8. Avoid driving from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.

   Source: Handbook p. 24

   “Avoid driving from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.”
   Virginia Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 24

9. Open windows, gum, loud radio and caffeine do not prevent drowsy driving.

   Source: Handbook p. 24

   “Rolling down a window, chewing gum, turning up the radio, or consuming caffeine, energy drinks or other stimulants do not prevent drowsy driving”
   Virginia Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 24

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Virginia practice test

1. 1. About what share of Virginia traffic crashes does driver distraction account for each year?

   1. Roughly 17 percent
   2. Roughly 2 percent
   3. Roughly 50 percent
   4. Roughly 90 percent
   Show answer

   Roughly 17 percent. Annually, driver distraction accounts for roughly 17 percent of all traffic crashes in Virginia. While the driver is distracted the vehicle may drift into a high risk situation, and the driver loses precious seconds before recognizing it and making an emergency maneuver. Hands free navigation is allowed only when the driver is not entering information or holding the device, and texting while driving is banned outright.

2. 2. How much sleep does the Virginia manual say can make a big difference for a drowsy driver?

   1. At least 8 hours
   2. Sleep does not help once you are tired
   3. At least 2 hours
   4. As little as 10 to 20 minutes
   Show answer

   As little as 10 to 20 minutes. Stop at a safe place and take a nap; as little as 10 to 20 minutes of sleep can make a big difference. Other tips are to limit long distance driving, stop at least every two hours for rest, drive with a companion and switch drivers, and avoid driving from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Rolling down the window, gum, radio or caffeine do not substitute for sleep.

3. 3. Why is driving while sleepy especially dangerous?

   1. It improves concentration but increases fuel use
   2. It affects only passengers, not the driver
   3. It makes stopping distance shorter
   4. It can impair attention, decisions, and control, or cause you to fall asleep
   Show answer

   It can impair attention, decisions, and control, or cause you to fall asleep. The manual describes several consequences of drowsy driving: a sleepy driver may make careless decisions, struggle to pay attention, or actually fall asleep while driving. Those problems arise while complex information is arriving from different places, so a missed sign or an unplanned lane change can quickly become a crash. The choices about fuel, passengers, and shorter stopping distance are unrelated to the driver's impaired alertness. Treat yawning, heavy eyelids, or missing exits as a stop cue. Rest at a safe place rather than trying to push through the trip.

Source: the Virginia Driver's Manual, Section 3: Safe Driving. 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.