# How aggressively do you drive? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 4, 2011, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-aggressively-do-you-drive/605026 "2011-12-04T12:19:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![JBDivmstr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b4bc9f/32.png) [@JBDivmstr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JBDivmstr)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2011, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-aggressively-do-you-drive/605026/61 "2011-12-07T19:10:37Z")
I almost always drive (what most would consider to be) very aggressively. If you ain’t the ‘lead dog’ in the pack, the view never changes. 😃 Lead, follow or get the Hell out of the way. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Bri2k](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/48db29/32.png) [@Bri2k](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bri2k)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2011, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-aggressively-do-you-drive/605026/62 "2011-12-07T22:01:34Z")
I drive very defensively and try to cut others a break whenever possible. The object is to arrive safely. Arriving on time is secondary. Bri2k ---
**Author:** ![2gigch1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/2gigch1/32/3313_2.png) [@2gigch1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2gigch1)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2011, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-aggressively-do-you-drive/605026/63 "2011-12-07T22:14:58Z")
I drive 50K+ miles in the DC metro area in an overloaded Suburban, with every sob out there thinking “hey I can jump in front of that big truck” not realizing that 5 tons doesn’t stop on a dime. I’m agressive, but very attentive. It’s been years since I’ve had an accident (and those were related to map reading while driving - yay GPS!) but around here you need to be on top of your game or else you will be treated like crap. I also run a dash cam at all times, for the day that someone finally causes me to run into them, I want proof that it wasn’t my fault. That same dash cam makes me behave, knowing I am recording my own actions. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2011, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-aggressively-do-you-drive/605026/64 "2011-12-08T00:30:32Z")
Fwiw, I have had a driver’s license since I was 16 (1988) and I’ve gotten two speeding tickets, both when I was 18, and no other moving violations. I’ve had one warning. I’ve never been in an accident. I am not an aggressive driver. I accelerate appropriately to merge into highway traffic, etc… I’m not one of those lagging wusses who can’t deal with getting up to speed… but I don’t race other drivers, tailgate, cut people off, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Hilary\_Algar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hilary_algar/32/4282_2.png) [@Hilary\_Algar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilary_Algar)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2011, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-aggressively-do-you-drive/605026/65 "2011-12-08T01:32:01Z")
> [@Drain\_Bead](#): > > No option for someone who has never been ticketed? If you’ve never been ticketed, you’re not trying hard enough. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bcef8e/32.png) [@BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2011, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-aggressively-do-you-drive/605026/66 "2011-12-08T02:26:42Z")
I don’t associate aggressive driving with speeding (although they can go together). You almost have to drive aggressively in Boston, but I’ve never gotten a ticket for anything other than speeding. ---
**Author:** ![voguevixen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5ac83/32.png) [@voguevixen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voguevixen)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2011, 9:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-aggressively-do-you-drive/605026/67 "2011-12-08T09:45:26Z")
There is one, and only one, instance where I’m an “aggressive” driver. When a sign says “Lane Closed Ahead” then another sign says “Lane Closed Ahead” then another says “No No REALLY SERIOUSLY Lane Closed ahead” and some fucking DIPSHIT blows past all the people who changed lanes and expects to be “let in” ahead of the people who are productive members of society. I almost rammed my brand new car into some fucking bitch who tried to pull this. (She had a dog on her lap on top of it. Fucking diva!) RAEG! ---
**Author:** ![jem\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/2bfe46/32.png) [@jem\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jem_1)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2011, 10:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-aggressively-do-you-drive/605026/68 "2011-12-08T10:53:30Z")
I’m pretty mellow behind the wheel - unless I have someone riding my tail or if a person pulls out in front of me in a 55mph zone (and there is no one behind me for a mile) then they proceed to drive 35mph! ---
**Author:** ![Orionizer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/orionizer/32/4442_2.png) [@Orionizer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orionizer)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2011, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-aggressively-do-you-drive/605026/69 "2011-12-08T12:07:32Z")
> [@Hilary\_Algar](#): > > If you’ve never been ticketed, you’re not trying hard enough. 😉 Well, how about doing 60 in a 35 and getting a verbal warning? Yes, it happened to me - a SC state trooper, on top of that! ---
**Author:** ![Hilary\_Algar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hilary_algar/32/4282_2.png) [@Hilary\_Algar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilary_Algar)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2011, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-aggressively-do-you-drive/605026/70 "2011-12-08T13:41:50Z")
> [@Orionizer](#): > > Well, how about doing 60 in a 35 and getting a verbal warning? Yes, it happened to me - a SC state trooper, on top of that! It was definitely your lucky day that day. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2011, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-aggressively-do-you-drive/605026/71 "2011-12-08T17:56:44Z")
> [@BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed](#): > > I don’t associate aggressive driving with speeding (although they can go together). You almost have to drive aggressively in Boston, but I’ve never gotten a ticket for anything other than speeding. You have to drive with a firm purpose in Boston, but I wouldn’t say “aggressive” is exactly the right word. Certainly many people in Boston DO drive aggressively, I don’t deny that. But so long as I’m willing to hold my ground (i.e., I AM merging into this spot and you’re NOT going to intimidate me into changing my mind) I get by pretty well. That said, I still HATE driving in Boston. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2011, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-aggressively-do-you-drive/605026/72 "2011-12-08T17:59:50Z")
> [@voguevixen](#): > > There is one, and only one, instance where I’m an “aggressive” driver. When a sign says “Lane Closed Ahead” then another sign says “Lane Closed Ahead” then another says “No No REALLY SERIOUSLY Lane Closed ahead” and some fucking DIPSHIT blows past all the people who changed lanes and expects to be “let in” ahead of the people who are productive members of society. > > I almost rammed my brand new car into some fucking bitch who tried to pull this. (She had a dog on her lap on top of it. Fucking diva!) RAEG! I will not let those people in, either. If that qualifies as aggressive, then I cop to being aggressive in that particular situation. However, if there is a “right lane for turns only” or something sign ahead and someone in that lane is trying to get out of it into the straight-through lane, I’ll probably let them in. Those signs are frequently hard to see far enough in advance (especially where I live, they’re often obscured by vegetation) and so by the time you realize you’re in one, you’re kind of fucked unless someone is nice and lets you in. ---
**Author:** ![JBDivmstr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b4bc9f/32.png) [@JBDivmstr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JBDivmstr)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2011, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-aggressively-do-you-drive/605026/73 "2011-12-09T19:10:54Z")
> [@Orionizer](#): > > Well, how about doing 60 in a 35 and getting a verbal warning? Yes, it happened to me - a SC state trooper, on top of that! And your bra size is…? 😉 I once got a ‘verbal’ for doing 115+ in a 60. > [@OpalCat](#): > > I will not let those people in, either. If that qualifies as aggressive, then I cop to being aggressive in that particular situation. > > However, if there is a “right lane for turns only” or something sign ahead and someone in that lane is trying to get out of it into the straight-through lane, I’ll probably let them in. Those signs are frequently hard to see far enough in advance (especially where I live, they’re often obscured by vegetation) and so by the time you realize you’re in one, you’re kind of fucked unless someone is nice and lets you in. \ That’s my general ‘modus operandi’ also. If it’s obvious that someone wants to get over, I’ll most always let them in. I do find it rude if they don’t acknowledge it, though. I voted ‘very aggressive’, but that doesn’t mean I’m not considerate. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Dolomite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8491ac/32.png) [@Dolomite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dolomite)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2011, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-aggressively-do-you-drive/605026/74 "2011-12-09T20:04:21Z")
I consider myself a fast and impatient driver. I can’t stand being trapped behind a vehicle going anything below 65 in a 65 zone. There are also lots of aggregate and tanker semi-trucks, and the front end of your vehicle will be pulverized unless you drop back a quarter mile behind them. Most are two-lane highways around here, so you have to wait to pass them. Seems farther south in this state, people will pull onto the shoulder and let you pass. Up here, people don’t do that. It also depends on the vehicle I’m driving. I have two manual transmission cars, and I will wring the everloving shit out of the engine. The automatic, not so much. ---
**Author:** ![JBDivmstr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b4bc9f/32.png) [@JBDivmstr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JBDivmstr)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2011, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-aggressively-do-you-drive/605026/75 "2011-12-09T21:05:53Z")
> [@Hilary\_Algar](#): > > If you’ve never been ticketed, you’re not trying hard enough. 😉 +1 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Lust4Life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ecc23a/32.png) [@Lust4Life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lust4Life)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2011, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-aggressively-do-you-drive/605026/76 "2011-12-10T22:59:15Z")
If people look at me "in a funny way “, then I"Do things” to them . HUH, HUH ? ---
**Author:** ![Orionizer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/orionizer/32/4442_2.png) [@Orionizer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orionizer)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2011, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-aggressively-do-you-drive/605026/77 "2011-12-12T15:19:26Z")
> [@JBDivmstr](#): > > And your bra size is…? 😉 > I once got a ‘verbal’ for doing 115+ in a 60. > > \ That’s my general ‘modus operandi’ also. If it’s obvious that someone wants to get over, I’ll most always let them in. I do find it rude if they don’t acknowledge it, though. I voted ‘very aggressive’, but that doesn’t mean I’m not considerate. 😃 No bra size here (I’m a guy). I was just completely honest with him, told him that I absolutely didn’t see the sign, and he told me to just be careful… I couldn’t believe it, either… ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2011, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-aggressively-do-you-drive/605026/78 "2011-12-12T21:14:06Z")
I drive fast and aggressively. Despite this, I’m 44 and have never been in an accident[sup]_[/sup]. [sup]_[/sup][sub]Except for one, when I was 19. But it wasn’t my fault. A dumb drunk bitch hit my front quarter panel.[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![JBDivmstr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b4bc9f/32.png) [@JBDivmstr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JBDivmstr)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2011, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-aggressively-do-you-drive/605026/79 "2011-12-12T21:55:42Z")
> [@Orionizer](#): > > No bra size here (I’m a guy). I was just completely honest with him, told him that I absolutely didn’t see the sign, and he told me to just be careful… I couldn’t believe it, either… Ooops! My bad. :smack: Pretty much the same for me. I was at a mall with a girlfriend when we received a call that her Dad had suffered a heart attack at home and the EMTs were still working on him. Cop got on the freeway as I went by at about 115 mph, (I didn’t see him) by the time I noticed him in the rearview mirror, he was topping the hump behind me as I was going over the hump. I figured he was probably wanting to “talk” to me so I stopped just past the crest of the hump. (He nearly passed me.:eek:) I told him why we were in such a hurry and he let me go with the admonition to “Slow it down, you’ve only got two more exits to go.” 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Diver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@Diver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diver)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2011, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-aggressively-do-you-drive/605026/80 "2011-12-12T22:46:50Z")
I haven’t had a ticket in 50 years but after driving in Boston area traffic for 18 years some people consider me aggressive. It’s now been 8 years since I left New England I think I drive like a pussycat but my wife says I still drive like a Masshole. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-aggressively-do-you-drive/605026.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-aggressively-do-you-drive/605026.md?page=5)