Aggressive Driving: Enforcement
What one driver perceives as an aggressive act, may not offend another.
Whatever the provocation, your response should be the same - drive defensively and follow these simple tips:
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Allow plenty of travel time to your destination; you are more likely to be forgiving of others.
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Make it a point to enjoy your ride. Play relaxing music; check the news for traffic jams.
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Avoid eye contact with an aggressive driver.
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Remember that you cannot control the traffic, only your reaction to it.
The New York State Police began its Aggressive Driving Enforcement Program in October 1997. The program's goal is to reduce the number of crashes resulting from aggressive driving behavior through the coordinated use of public education and non-traditional enforcement.
The program's specialized enforcement component works to increase the likelihood that aggressive drivers will be arrested. It uses special teams employing aircraft, unmarked vehicles and marked patrol units to target specific highway segments just prior to, during and just after peak travel hours.
NYSP aircraft patrolling above high-volume highways watch for vehicles being operated in an aggressive manner. The aircraft pilots alert marked patrol units on the ground, by radio, to pursue and apprehend aggressive drivers.
The educational component of the program seeks to:
- Make drivers recognize their own aggressive driving tendencies,
- Inform them of the dangers of aggressive driving, suggest techniques for coping with driving stress, and
- Encourage safer, more courteous driving behaviors.