On August 21, 1999, in an effort to reduce the number of instances of aggressive driving on our roadways the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office became the first Colorado jurisdiction to enact an ordinance that specifically defines aggressive driving and calls for stiffer penalties for aggressive drivers. To further our efforts the Sheriff’s Office has entered into an agreement with the District Attorney Office so that aggressive drivers are not offered a plea-bargain.

Goals and Objectives

The goals and objectives of the Aggressive Driving Unit are to make our roadways safer by reducing the number of traffic crashes leading to injuries, deaths and property damage through aggressively targeting drivers who drive in an aggressive manner. The officers are deployed in areas that statistical data shows aggressive driving is most likely to occur and have the highest traffic crash rates resulting from aggressive driving behaviors. Although all traffic and patrol deputies actively attempt to identify and locate aggressive drivers, two deputies, Jim Jensen and Brian Cogil, are currently assigned to the Road Rage car, a 2006 Dodge Charger which is equipped with state of the art radar, video and computer equipment to assist them in their duties. The officers are deployed in areas that statistical data shows aggressive driving is most likely to occur and have the highest traffic crash rates resulting from aggressive driving behaviors.

Definitions:

Douglas County defines aggressive driving as follows:

            “The commission of two or moving violations in close proximity to other vehicles” The ordinance also states that the violator’s state of mind or other drivers opinions of the violator’s driving is not a factor."

 

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the definition of aggressive driving is as follows:

“The commission of two or more moving violations that is likely to endanger other persons or property, or any single intentional violation that requires a defensive reaction of another driver.”

 

Examples of Aggressive Driving

The following are examples of violations that Douglas County Sheriff’s Office considers to be aggressive in nature when two or more are committed; however, the list is not all-inclusive:

  • Speeding (10MPH or more over the posted speed limit)
  • Following too close
  • Violating traffic lane restrictions
  • Weaving in and out of traffic (Unsafe Lane Changes)
  • Speeding up to beat a signal light
  • Using the horn excessively
  • Flashing headlights excessively at oncoming traffic
  • Braking to get others to back off of your bumper
  • Passing traffic and then slowing down to teach the other driver a lesson.

For more information regarding Aggressive Drivers please visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration web site.