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How-to guide · Michigan City Ford · Michigan City, IN
How to Avoid Road Rage and Aggressive Driving
Approximately one-third of all Indiana traffic fatalities occur due to dangerous driving, which includes aggressive driving, the Indiana BMV says. Here is what Indiana law counts as aggressive driving, how road rage differs, what to do if an angry driver targets you around Michigan City, and the habits that keep you out of conflict.
About 1 in 3Indiana traffic fatalities occur due to dangerous driving (BMV)
3 or morelisted actions in one episode of driving count as aggressive driving in Indiana (BMV)
2-3 sec.minimum following distance the BMV manual suggests
No eye contactwith an aggressive driver (FHWA)
The short answer
Don't engage. If a driver is acting aggressively, get out of the way, avoid eye contact and ignore gestures, and never challenge them or try to block them. Keep two to three seconds of following distance, stay out of the left lane unless passing, and leave early enough that you are not rushing.
What counts as aggressive driving in Indiana
Approximately one-third of all Indiana traffic fatalities occur due to dangerous driving, the Indiana BMV Driver's Manual says. A dangerous driving crash is any collision stemming from a driver's aggressive driving, disregarding a signal or speeding. Under Indiana law, a person engages in aggressive driving if, during one episode of continuous driving, the person commits at least three of the following:
| Type | Actions the BMV manual lists |
|---|---|
| Space and speed | Following a vehicle too closely; driving at an unsafe speed |
| Passing and stopping | Overtaking another vehicle on the right by driving off the roadway; unsafe stopping or slowing a vehicle |
| Rules of the road | Failure to yield; failure to obey a traffic control device; unsafe operation of a vehicle |
| Horn and lights | Unnecessary sounding of the horn; repeatedly flashing the vehicle's headlights |
From the Indiana Driver's Manual, Chapter 7: Safe Vehicle Operation (Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles), read November 3, 2026. Grouped by this page; the BMV gives them as one list. This page is a summary, not legal advice.
Road rage vs. aggressive driving
The Federal Highway Administration's driver safety training says road rage differs from aggressive driving. Road rage is a criminal offense, defined as an assault with a motor vehicle or other dangerous weapon by the operator or passengers of one motor vehicle on the operator or passengers of another motor vehicle, or one caused by an incident that occurred on a roadway.
Behaviors FHWA associates with aggressive driving include exceeding the posted speed limit, tailgating, erratic or unsafe lane changes, failing to signal lane changes, and failing to obey traffic control devices. It notes that NHTSA labels running a red light as one of the most dangerous forms of aggressive driving.
From FHWA, Pilot/Escort Vehicle Operators Training Manual, Module 7: Driver Safety Issues, read November 3, 2026.
If you encounter an aggressive driver
FHWA's training module advises:
Get out of the way
Make every attempt to get out of the way of an aggressive driver.
Don't challenge them
Do not challenge an aggressive driver or attempt to restrict their movement.
No eye contact
Avoid eye contact and ignore any gestures.
Hands on the wheel
Avoid gestures of your own, even ones not meant to provoke. Keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road and the vehicles around you.
From FHWA, Pilot/Escort Vehicle Operators Training Manual, Module 7: Driver Safety Issues, read November 3, 2026.
Reporting an aggressive driver
FHWA says to report aggressive drivers to the appropriate authorities by providing a vehicle description, the license number if possible, and the vehicle's location and direction of travel. Do not tailgate in order to read the plate.
If an aggressive driver is involved in a crash, FHWA says to stop a safe distance from the scene, wait for the police to arrive, and report what you witnessed.
From FHWA, Pilot/Escort Vehicle Operators Training Manual, Module 7: Driver Safety Issues, read November 3, 2026.
Driving habits that keep you out of conflict
Guidance from FHWA's training module and the Indiana BMV manual:
Leave on time
Be realistic about travel times. Trying to make up time on the road is dangerous; if you depart late, accept that you will arrive late. (FHWA)
Keep your distance
A good rule is to stay at least two to three seconds behind the vehicle in front of you. (BMV)
Stay right unless passing
Do not drive in the left lane unless you are passing; driving at or under the speed limit in the left lane creates moving roadblocks that frustrate other drivers. (FHWA)
Be courteous
Expect delays, avoid cutting people off, and make room for drivers who need to change lanes or merge. (FHWA)
From FHWA, Pilot/Escort Vehicle Operators Training Manual, Module 7: Driver Safety Issues and the Indiana Driver's Manual, Chapter 7: Safe Vehicle Operation, read November 3, 2026.
Keep your vehicle ready for the road
The Works® at Michigan City Ford includes a synthetic blend oil change, tire rotation and pressure check, brake inspection, Multi-Point Inspection, fluid top-off, battery test, and a filter, belts and hoses check.
Schedule service online and see our service specials first. Michigan City Ford is at 3930 Franklin St. in Michigan City. Get directions.
Michigan City Ford service hours
| Days | Hours |
|---|---|
| Mon-Fri | 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. |
| Sat | 8 a.m.-3 p.m. |
| Sun | closed |
From Michigan City Ford's website, November 3, 2026. Holiday hours can differ.
Road rage FAQ
What is aggressive driving under Indiana law?
The Indiana BMV Driver's Manual says a person engages in aggressive driving if, during one episode of continuous driving, the person commits at least three of these: following too closely, unsafe operation, passing on the right by driving off the roadway, unsafe stopping or slowing, unnecessary sounding of the horn, failure to yield, failure to obey a traffic control device, driving at an unsafe speed, or repeatedly flashing the headlights.
What is the difference between road rage and aggressive driving?
FHWA's driver safety training says road rage differs from aggressive driving: road rage is a criminal offense, defined as an assault with a motor vehicle or other dangerous weapon by the operator or passengers of one vehicle on the operator or passengers of another vehicle, or one caused by an incident that occurred on a roadway.
What should I do if an aggressive driver targets me?
FHWA says to make every attempt to get out of the way. Do not challenge an aggressive driver or try to restrict their movement, avoid eye contact and ignore any gestures.
Should I report an aggressive driver?
FHWA's module says to report aggressive drivers to the appropriate authorities with a vehicle description, the license number if possible, and the vehicle's location and direction of travel. Do not tailgate to read the plate.
How much following distance should I keep?
The Indiana BMV manual says a good rule is to stay at least two to three seconds behind the vehicle in front of you.
Does driving at the speed limit in the left lane cause problems?
FHWA calls driving at or under the speed limit in the left lane a dangerous form of passive-aggressive behavior, because it creates moving roadblocks that frustrate other drivers. Do not drive in the left lane unless you are passing.
What does The Works at Michigan City Ford include?
The Works® at Michigan City Ford includes a synthetic blend oil change, tire rotation and pressure check, brake inspection, Multi-Point Inspection, fluid top-off, battery test, and a filter, belts and hoses check.
Book a routine checkup
Book The Works, which includes a tire pressure check, brake inspection and battery test, at Michigan City Ford.
Sources
Aggressive driving rules are from the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles Driver's Manual, and road rage guidance is from the Federal Highway Administration's driver safety training module, both read November 3, 2026. Laws change; this page is a plain-language summary, not legal advice. Service details, address and hours are from Michigan City Ford's own website, checked the same day. Photo is illustrative.
- Indiana Driver's Manual, Chapter 7: Safe Vehicle Operation (aggressive driving, following distance), Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles, PDF modified July 7, 2026, read November 3, 2026
- FHWA, Pilot/Escort Vehicle Operators Training Manual, Module 7: Driver Safety Issues, U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, read November 3, 2026
- General service: The Works, Michigan City Ford, November 3, 2026
- Address and service hours (structured data), Michigan City Ford, November 3, 2026