Aggressive driving is reckless driving
Spring has finally arrived – despite cooler temperatures – and just as it is signaled by tiny tulip buds popping through the earth, pesky potholes populating our roads are another sure sign.
Potholes lead to another sure sign of spring – road construction and repair. Orange cones and road work signs will soon be commonplace, as will reminders to reduce speed in work areas and to keep PennDOT workers safe.
At a recent event to announce aggressive driving enforcement along Route 50 in Cecil, South Fayette and Collier townships, PennDOT spokeswoman Juliann Sheldon stressed that the aim of the program is not to issue citations, but to decrease instances of speeding, tailgating and running red lights. Sure, it can be quite frustrating to sit in traffic, or to almost but not quite get through a green light, or even to be behind someone driving under the speed limit.
But, aggressive driving is dangerous, and quite frankly, it’s not worth it. What’s another couple of minutes going to hurt?
In addition to aggressive driving being potentially harmful to other drivers and road workers, motorcyclists, walkers, children and pets are all in danger if someone decides that they just can’t wait at a red light or simply must pass the person in front of them despite being in a no-pass zone.
According to PennDOT, in 2013, there were 37 traffic-related deaths in Washington and Green counties combined, with three of those fatalities linked to aggressive driving. In Allegheny County, there were 65 traffic-related deaths, five of which were the result of aggressive driving.
Our advice is this: take a deep breath if you get frustrated while driving, and remember that arriving a few minutes late is better than not arriving at all.