Do you know what reckless driving looks like?

Even if you understand the importance of safe driving, there’s a good chance there are people around you who aren’t taking the same level of caution.

Knowing what reckless driving looks like will allow you to pinpoint this behavior, all with the idea of removing yourself from trouble. Here are some of the most common examples of reckless driving:

• Excessive speeding: Everyone drives a few miles faster than the speed limit from time to time. Excessive speeding, however, is reckless. For example, if the speed limit is 70 miles per hour, driving 90 miles per hour is a hazard to everyone on the road.
• Tailgating: There’s never a good time for someone to drive too closely to the person in front of them. If you look in your rearview mirror and can’t see the car’s headlights, they’re probably too close.
• Running a red light: When this happens, the person who ran the red light puts everyone else at the intersection in danger. There’s a very good chance that this action will cause a serious collision that involves at least one other vehicle.
• Illegal passing: There are many forms of illegal passing, such as passing in the right lane on the highway or crossing a solid line in an urban or rural setting.

If a reckless driver causes an accident, move to safety and call for help. Don’t engage in conversation with this person until police arrive at the scene. Instead, administer first aid and remain calm.

Once you receive treatment, request a copy of the police report, file an insurance claim and take every possible step in obtaining compensation from the reckless driver.