The Dangers of Aggressive Truck Driving on Oregon Roads
A Scary Crash on the Fremont Bridge
Not long ago, I was driving north toward Portland’s Fremont Bridge. It’s a spot I always get a little nervous at—you usually encounter trucks coming out of the Northwest Industrial District onto I-405, and the trucks are often moving pretty quickly.
That day, a large box truck was behind me. As I signaled to merge right, I saw the box truck was already cutting over. Seconds later, I heard a huge boom echo across the bridge—the box truck had slammed into the side of a small sedan. Miraculously, the driver of the sedan maintained control of their car. I was worried they might drive off over the side of the bridge.
It was terrifying to witness, and it reinforced something I’ve seen too often: aggressive driving by big trucks puts everyone in danger.
What Is Aggressive Truck Driving?
According to the AAA, aggressive driving is any unsafe driving behavior performed deliberately and with ill intention or disregard for safety. Aggressive driving often involves committing one or more moving traffic violations.
The primary distinction between aggressive driving and road rage is often one of intent. Aggressive driving typically involves recklessness rather than a conscious intention to threaten, intimidate, or harm someone. Road rage, on the other hand, is often an intended action born of frustration and anger.
Common aggressive truck driver behaviors include:
Forcing merges or cutting off cars
Tailgating
Unsafe lane changes
Speeding or driving too fast for conditions
Boxing in cars
Weaving through traffic
Running drivers off the road
Brake checking
Running stop lights
These types of actions are dangerous enough when done by someone in a normal car. When an 80,000-pound semi-truck does them, the consequences can be deadly. According to a 2024 study by Forbes, drivers in some states experience aggressive drivers much more often than others. California ranked #1 with a score of 100. Oregon, ranked #33 with a score of 46.8.
The Causes of Aggressive Driving
Researchers studying the problem find that the following factors often contribute to incidents of aggressive driving:
Being behind schedule: The trucking industry has a lot of pressure to make deliveries on time. With companies striving to optimize efficiency and minimize costs, the pressure to meet tight deadlines is stronger than ever. Drivers often find themselves faced with unrealistic schedules that leave little room for rest or breaks. As a result, they may resort to aggressive driving behaviors in an attempt to shave off precious minutes from their travel time.
Fatigue: Another contributing factor to aggressive driving is the lack of adequate rest and sleep among truck drivers. Long hours of driving combined with irregular sleep patterns can lead to fatigue, which impairs judgment and increases the likelihood of engaging in risky driving behaviors. Some drivers feel compelled to push through exhaustion to meet deadlines, despite regulations that mandate rest periods.
Lack of training and supervision: While responsible companies prioritize safety and training, others may cut corners to maximize profits. Inadequate training and supervision can lead to a lack of awareness about the dangers of aggressive driving behaviors and how to minimize them. Without proper supervision and guidance, some drivers may develop bad habits or disregard safety protocols.
Traffic congestion: One of the most frequently mentioned contributing factors to aggressive driving is traffic. On-the-road delays, whether caused by highway maintenance, a collision, or rush-hour traffic, are frustrating for all drivers, but intolerably so for some.
According to researchers for the NTSA, these are the factors that contribute to the incidents of aggressive driving.
Stuster, J. (2004). Aggressive Driving Enforcement: Evaluation of Two Demonstration Programs (Report No. DOT HS 809 707). National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. https://www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/809707.pdf
How Aggressive Driving Affects Truck Accident Claims
In a truck accident case, clear evidence of aggressive driving can significantly impact a victim’s ability to obtain justice. Moving quickly to obtain evidence before it disappears can be critical. Evidence of aggressive driving can be obtained from sources such as:
Black box and GPS data
Dashcam or surveillance video
Witness statements
Driver logs and licensing records
Company policies
In Oregon, victims of truck accidents can get damages not only for medical bills and lost wages but also for pain and suffering, diminished quality of life, and loss of earnings capacity. Aggressive driving is likely a basis for obtaining punitive damages as well. Whether the crash involved a semi-truck on I-5, a box truck in downtown Portland, a tanker truck on Highway 26, or a construction vehicle in a work zone, trucking cases are complex and require experienced legal guidance.
How to Seek Justice If You’ve been injured by an aggressive truck driver?
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident involving an aggressive truck driver, we recommend seeking legal guidance from a skilled and experienced truck accident attorney. They can help you navigate the legal process and pursue the compensation you deserve.
When choosing a lawyer, look for someone with a proven track record of success in handling truck accident cases and a deep understanding of the federal and state laws and regulations governing the trucking industry. Your attorney should be committed to advocating tirelessly on your behalf and holding at-fault parties accountable for their actions.
If you’d like to discuss your situation, call the Law Office of Benjamin B. Grandy, PC at 503-626-6221 for a free consultation.
Last Updated: 9-28-2025
