Tailgating is very intimidating and a major contributor to aggressive driving. Did you know that 90% of driving is visual? If a vehicle is traveling too closely, that driver's field of vision is zero. Without allowing adequate space, they really can't see what is going on up ahead or around them. A vehicle needs adequate time to stop once the brakes are applied – the braking distance is how far the vehicle will go while braking. On a good weather day with adequate tire inflation, a car will need at least three seconds to stop – it is calculated such that when a driver passes a fixed point they should be able to count 1001, 1002, 1003 or more and still be stopped before hitting the vehicle in front of it. When stopped, the driver should be able to see the rear tires of the vehicle it is following for adequate space. Trucks, campers and sport utility vehicles need more time and space.

We no longer can expect the other driver to be following all rules and safety precautions. When coming upon a stoplight or intersection, we should not only anticipate traffic signal changes but also be prepared for an aggressive driver to run the light or plow through the intersection. Therefore, it's best to look to see where vehicles may be coming from and delay moving until you know it's safe.

Now, let's talk about those aggressive drivers we see shouting at us and making all sorts of gestures, revving their engine and pointing. Avoid eye contact with these drivers and whatever you do – or rather, whatever they do – do not react, get out of your vehicle or blow your horn! Instead, drive away from them as far as possible. Signal, move over to the right, and increase your following distance from the vehicle ahead. If they escalate, exit the roadway and if they continue to follow, head to a police station or public place where you can safely exit your vehicle.

Impaired drivers are another concern, responsible for 35,000 deaths each year in the U.S. There are a large percentage of impaired drivers on the road at any given time, with more than 500,000 people on probation for DWI or DUI. While largely alcohol or prescription impaired, some drivers are physically or mentally impaired, or in a medical emergency. The increasing number of states legalizing marijuana usage for medical or recreational purposes only complicates matters. Astonishingly, law enforcement can cite a driver for DUI at any level of impairment. If he/she is not in complete control, they can be cited. If you encounter an impaired driver, never confront them or attempt to pass them on the roadway – rather, drop back and pull over and then call the police and report it.

Our goal in driving is to get safely from Point A to Point B, not to best the other driver. With more than 90% of driving being visual, it stands to reason that our eyes and our attention need to be on the road at all times. When we are distracted, it not only can result in our crashing, but also in us provoking others and causing them to crash. We've all been warned about the dangers of cell phone use – we are now four times as likely to be in a crash if we are using our cell phone, but in some states it is also illegal. It is somewhat surprising to learn that listening to a call is no better than texting, and that voice texting doesn't help when it comes to distractedness.

A lot of us have some bad habits when driving – using our cars as restaurants, offices, hair and makeup salons, pet care, window shopping, searching for friends and addresses, smoking and drinking. Even such activities as caring for children, using the GPS and inserting CDs should all be done when the vehicle is stopped and not while driving. As for headphones – even those tiny little earbuds – their use is illegal when driving in ALL STATES! Texting above all is the most dangerous, requiring visual, manual and cognitive skills and increasing chances of an accident by up to 23 times. We are in a hurry, but all of these activities should be done before we get in the vehicle, as driving is our primary activity when we get behind the wheel.

While it certainly isn't recommended to get a ticket, the nameless driver who took this course learned a lot about distracted driving! 1001, 1002, 1003…