Aggressive Driving Study Places Texas in Top 5 – Is It Accurate?

Aggressive driving is one of the leading causes of traffic accidents in Texas and the United States. It can lead to catastrophic accidents with far-reaching consequences. This is why there are several studies on aggressive driving and its impact on road users.

In 2018, a study by the smartphone app GasBuddy named Texas one of the top five states for aggressive driving in the United States. It ranked No. 4, and although it has been six years, aggressive driving is still a problem in the state. In this blog, we discuss the latest ranking for aggressive driving and where Texas falls among the U.S. states.

We also shared tips on dealing with aggressive driving and what to do after an accident with an aggressive driver. If you or a loved one is involved in an aggressive driving accident, contact our Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law attorneys. We will help you establish liability and commence the claim process.

Call us now at (713) 973-8888 for a free consultation.

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We are skilled negotiators, and Terry Bryant is a board-certified personal injury trial lawyer, so you can always count on us whether you opt for litigation or a settlement. We are always available to help you; contact us at (713) 973-8888 to learn more about our services and how we can assist you.

Where does Texas rank on the aggressive driving list?

GasBuddy defines “aggressive driving” as cutting other drivers off, hard braking (sudden stops), and sudden acceleration/speeding. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) includes those behaviors and a few more, like following too closely (tailgating), in its definition of aggressive driving.

In 2018, GasBuddy examined tens of millions of “Trips” – a permission-based driver monitoring feature in its mobile app – in all continental U.S. states from December 2017 through March 2018. They noted aggressive driving events (speeding, hard braking, or accelerating), their frequency, the amount of time between each event, and the vehicle’s speed when each event occurred.

From their findings, Texas ranked No. 4 on the Top Ten list, with 8.3 minutes between events and an average speed of 42. GasBuddy has yet to update its findings since then. But in 2024, Forbes named Texas as one of the top ten states with the most aggressive drivers.

While we cannot verify where Texas currently ranks on the state list of aggressive drivers, we know from a Forbes study that it is one of the top ten states with the most confrontational drivers in the United States.

Texas is No. 9 on the most confrontational drivers list

According to Forbes Advisor, it surveyed 10,000 licensed drivers and compared all 50 states across nine key metrics. Texas scored 82.23% out of 100, making it No. 9 on the Top Ten list. The study also found that:

• At 63%, Texas drivers were tied with West Virginia drivers for being the most likely to report that another driver had cut them off on purpose.
• At 79%, Texas drivers tied with drivers from Rhode Island for being most likely to report that another driver has honked at them in frustration.
• At 47%, Texas drivers were fourth-most likely to report that another driver has exited their vehicle to yell at or fight with them.
• At 73%, Texas drivers are the second-most likely to report that another driver has made rude or offensive gestures at them.

How to deal with aggressive drivers

So, how do we keep Texas streets and freeways from becoming a never-ending performance of Mad Max? Don’t take the emotional bait tossed at you by an “aggressive driver” – and if it gets serious, let the cops take care of the matter.

Here are some tips from the Texas Department of Public Safety:

• Don’t let your emotions get the best of you; don’t take out your frustrations on other drivers.
• Plan ahead, and allow plenty of time for delays.
• Focus on your driving. Yelling, honking your horn, or pounding on the steering wheel won’t make traffic move any faster and will eventually upset someone. In Texas, you never know which hothead driver may be armed.

Be a cautious, considerate driver. Don’t provoke others behind the wheel.

• Don’t tailgate or flash your lights at other drivers.
• If you’re in the left lane and someone wants to pass, move over and let them.
• Use your horn sparingly.

If you encounter an angry driver, don’t make things worse by triggering a confrontation.

• Avoid eye contact.
• Give angry drivers all the room they want. Get off that particular road if you must.
• Keep your hand and facial gestures to yourself.
• If a raging driver makes you concerned for your safety, call 9-1-1.

We can help you file a claim after an aggressive driving accident

If you find yourself in an aggressive driving accident, check for injuries, file an accident report, gather evidence, and seek medical attention. Avoid speaking to the at-fault party’s insurance company. Instead, contact our car accident lawyers at Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law.

Our attorneys will examine the facts of your case, determine liability, gather evidence to prove your claim, and inform you of your legal options. We will be with you every step of the way and will not back down until you get a favorable response. Contact us at (713) 973-8888 for a free case review.