Sometimes car accidents we see in our Phoenix personal injury law firm would not have occurred if one of the drivers had not been driving aggressively.  The problem is most aggressive drivers imagine themselves to be superior, even excellent, drivers who have no patience with less-than-superb drivers on the road.  Unfortunately, they are deluding themselves, and their delusions may lead to their losing their driving privileges.

Arizona Revised Statute § 28-695 details the criteria for aggressive driving thus: A person commits aggressive driving if both of the following occur:  A person commits a violation of ether A.R.S. § 29-701(A) or A.R.S. § 28-701.02 and at least 2 of the following violations:

a)      Failure to obey traffic control devices;

b)      Overtaking and passing another vehicle on the right by driving off the pavement or main traveled portion of the roadway;

c)      Unsafe lane change;

d)      Following a vehicle too closely; or

e)      Failure to yield right-of-way.

A.R.S. § 29-701(A) states: A person shall not drive a vehicle on a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the circumstances, conditions and actual and potential hazards then existing.

A.R.S. § 29-701.02(A) states: A person shall not:  1) Exceed thirty-five miles per hour approaching a school crossing;  2) Exceed the posted speed limit in a business or residential district by more than twenty miles per hour, or if no speed limit is posted, exceed forty-five miles per hour; and 3) Exceed eighty-five miles per hour in other locations.  A conviction for violation of A.R.S. § 29-701.02(A) alone is a Class 3 misdemeanor or criminal speeding.

Conviction for violating A.R.S. § 28-695 is corrected by enforced attendance at an approved traffic survival school and possible suspension of driving privileges for 30 days.

Conviction for violating A.R.S. § 28-695 more than once during a 24-month period is a Class 1 misdemeanor and could result in revocation of driving privileges for a full year.

Slowing down and exhibiting caring and courtesy on the road may not be your favored manner of driving, but it will pay off in the long run.  Being the cause of an accident is going to cost you in myriad ways.