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ggressive Driving This dangerous driving behavior is defined by Virginia law as the intent to harass, intimidate, injure or obstruct another person while committing one or more traffic offenses such as failing to stop or yield the right-of-way, avoiding a traffic control device or failing to give way to an overtaking vehicle. When aggressive drivers are behind the wheel, these high-risk drivers take out their anger on other motorists. Their frustration levels run high while their concerns for fellow motorists run low. They break the law by running stop signs and red lights, speeding, tailgating, weaving in and out of traffic, passing on the right (including on the shoulder and unpaved portions of the road), making improper and unsafe lane changes, as well as making hand and facial gestures, screaming, honking and flashing their lights. Protect yourself. If you see an aggressive driver, stay out of the way. Don't challenge the aggressive driver by speeding up or trying to out-maneuver him. Avoid eye contact and ignore his gestures and shouting. Remember if you are convicted of aggressive driving, your license could be suspended for ten days or for as long as six months. Distracted Driving Driving requires your full attention. There are many distractions that may prevent drivers from focusing on driving: changing the radio or CD, talking to passengers, observing outside surroundings, eating, using a cell phone and more. When on the road, drivers should not use cell phones, computers or other distracting devices except to report a crash or emergency. Before engaging in distracting behavior, pull over and stop the vehicle in a safe location. Effective January 1, 2021, Virginia law prohibits drivers holding cell phones or any other wireless communication devices while driving except in a driver emergency or the vehicle is lawfully parked or stopped. Annually, driver distraction accounts for roughly 20 percent of all traffic crashes in Virginia. Why is distracted driving so deadly? Because while the driver is distracted, the vehicle may move into a high risk situation. The driver then loses precious seconds before recognizing the situation and must make an emergency maneuver. Young distracted drivers are even more susceptible. Failure to maintain proper control, following too closely, and not yielding the right-of-way are common actions of young distracted drivers. Inexperience in handling or controlling a vehicle during an emergency situation combined with distracted driving (cell phone use, other passengers, eyes not on the road, etc.) puts them at greater risk of a crash. Don't let this happen to you. Take the following precautions. Concentrate. Keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel at all times. Also, keep your body alert; sit straight, but relaxed. Look in the direction that you want to go. Set or adjust the controls on the vehicle and other devices as soon as you get in the car and before you begin driving. Do not use a cell phone. Anticipate the traffic and environment around you by searching ahead and checking your rearview mirrors often. Maintain a space cushion around your vehicle. Make sure there is enough room ahead of your vehicle and behind it. Drowsy Driving Constant yawning, head nodding, heavy eyelids, difficulty remembering the last few miles driven, missing road signs or exits, unplanned lane changes, driving off the road or hitting rumble strips are all signs of drowsy driving. Driving while you are sleepy increases your crash risk as you struggle to process complex information coming from different places at once. You may make careless driving decisions, have trouble paying attention or actually fall asleep while driving. To avoid drowsy driving: Get plenty of quality sleep before a trip. Avoid alcoholic beverages and heavy foods. Beware of medications that can impair your driving ability. Limit long distance driving. Stop at least every two hours for rest. Stop at a safe place and take a nap. As little as 10 to 20 minutes of sleep can make a big difference. If possible, drive with a companion and switch drivers when necessary. Always let a well-rested person drive. Avoid driving from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Rolling down a window, chewing gum, turning up the radio, or consuming caffeine, energy drinks or other stimulants do not prevent drowsy driving and are not reliable methods for staying awake. Drowsy driving is a type of impaired driving and puts the driver and everyone else on the roadway at risk for harm. If you observe a drowsy driver, find a safe place to stop or ask a passenger to call law enforcement. Be able to describe the location, vehicle and actions you observed. Drinking and Driving Legally, drivers age 21 or older are considered to be driving under the influence (DUI) if your blood alcohol content (BAC) is .08 percent or higher. If your driving is impaired, you can be convicted of driving under the influence with a BAC lower than .08 percent. If under age 21, you can be convicted of illegal consumption of alcohol if your BAC is at least .02 but less than .08. If your BAC is .08 or higher you could be convicted of a DUI. If your driving is impaired because you are under the influence of any drug, you may face the same penalties as driving under the influence of alcohol. Researchers estimate that between the hours of 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. three out of every ten drivers are drunk. More than one-third of these drivers have been drinking at someone else's home. Nearly 50 percent of the drivers arrested for DUI are social to moderate drinkers. Don't think that it won't happen to you. In your lifetime, there's a 50-50 chance that you'll be involved in an alcohol-related crash. Just one alcoholic drink can affect your driving ability because even a small amount of alcohol affects the brain's functions - particularly vision, judgment, and coordination. Because alcohol affects your judgment and driving ability, your chances of being in a crash are seven times greater if you drive after drinking than if you drive sober. Twelve ounces of beer is the same as a shot of liquor or a five-ounce glass of wine. Only time can decrease intoxication. Coffee, cold showers or exercise will not sober you up. Alcohol-related crashes are not accidents. They can be prevented! The only way to avoid the risks of drinking and driving is to decide before you start drinking that you are not going to drive. Remember, alcohol affects judgment. Making the decision not to drive is a lot more difficult after one or two drinks. Drive to social events in groups of two or more and have the driver agree not to drink. Combining alcohol with other drugs usually multiplies the effects of both and can have a disastrous effect on your ability to drive. One drink taken when you are on another drug - even an aspirin, or allergy or cold medicine - could have the same effect on your driving ability as drinking several alcoholic beverages. Almost any drug can reduce your ability to drive safely. It's not just illegal drugs that cause problems. Many over-the-counter medications and prescription drugs for headaches, hay fever, colds, allergies or nervous conditions can cause drowsiness and dizziness. This includes syrups, drops, sprays, pills and tablets. They often affect driver alertness and slow reaction time. Read the label before taking any drug or medicine. Look for warnings about side effects. If you're uncertain about the effects of a drug, ask your pharmacist or doctor for advice. Remember that, while the effects may vary among users, no drug is harmless.