CMV Safety: Aggressive Driving and Road Rage Training Course

You’re responsible for a massive machine—up to 80,000 pounds. When a passenger car weaves in and out of your lane, cuts you off, or tailgates your trailer, the sudden danger is enough to make any professional driver see red. Your livelihood depends on maintaining control and safety, but research shows that 80% of drivers have expressed feelings of aggression or road rage within the past month. This course moves beyond simply avoiding aggressive drivers; it gives you the professional tools to manage your own reactions and legally navigate high-pressure situations.

We're going to dive deep into the real-world scenarios you face daily. Aggressive driving is defined by the NHTSA as operating a vehicle in a manner that "endangers or is likely to endanger other persons or property". We will break down the "rogues’ gallery" of aggressive drivers, from "Sally the Speeder," who ignores the fact that a loaded truck takes 40% longer to stop than a car , to "Karen the Cut-off Queen," who continually eliminates your safe following distance. We’ll explore the underlying causes of aggression, including the intense pressure from Hours of Service (HOS) and Electronic Logging Device (ELD) regulations. For a professional driver, congestion and delays feel like lost money, which, according to FMCSA findings, significantly increases the temptation for risk-taking.

The core of this training focuses on effective, defensive driving techniques that protect you and your carrier from massive liability. You will learn to properly re-establish your safe following distance (generally 7 to 8 seconds at highway speeds for a tractor-trailer) , and when to safely and legally move over for pressuring drivers. You will master the critical professional response: Do not engage. High-profile road rage incidents involving trucks are a career killer, often ending in lawsuits targeting both the driver and the carrier.

Finally, we will look at how your own professional standard of driving can combat this epidemic. Speeding is the most frequent driver-related factor in fatal crashes involving large trucks. You are the professional; you need to set the standard by maintaining a cool head and planning routes that accommodate your CMV. This course is essential for any professional operator concerned with maintaining a clean record, protecting their CDL, and upholding their CSA scores.

This program is available with Spanish and French closed captions.