How to Report Aggressive or Dangerous Truck Drivers in Oregon
Why Reporting Aggressive Truck Driving Matters
Sharing Oregon’s highways with semi-trucks, box trucks, logging trucks, tanker trucks, and construction vehicles can be intimidating — especially when one of those vehicles is being driven aggressively. Tailgating, weaving through traffic, forcing merges, or speeding in bad weather can put every driver at risk. Especially when the vehicle doing it is an 80,000-pound semi-truck.
If you witness an aggressive truck driver, reporting the behavior can help make the roads safer. Authorities can investigate, and in some cases, stop unsafe drivers before a serious crash occurs. To learn more about the dangers of aggressive truck driving, go to our blog post on The Dangers of Aggressive Truck Driving on Oregon Roads.
What To Do If You See Aggressive Truck Driving
First and foremost: do not put yourself in danger. Never try to chase down, confront, or film an aggressive truck driver while driving. Instead:
Pull over safely if you need to text or make a call.
Note the details (company name, truck number, license plate, location, and direction).
Report it to the proper agency.
Emergency Situations
If a truck driver is posing an immediate danger to others — for example, swerving across lanes, nearly colliding with cars, or threatening people — treat it as an emergency.
Call 9-1-1 right away.
Or, in Oregon, you can dial **OSP (677) to be connected with the Oregon State Police.
Give the dispatcher as much detail as possible so law enforcement can respond quickly.
The Oregon Truck Safety Hotline
For non-emergency but dangerous situations, Oregon drivers can contact the Truck & Bus Safety Hotline provided by ODOT’s Commerce and Compliance Division:
You can report issues such as:
Truck speeding or tailgating
Unsafe lane changes
Spilling or dropping cargo
Aggressive merges or blocking cars
This hotline is designed specifically for commercial vehicle complaints, making it one of the best tools to address unsafe truck operations.
Reporting to the FMCSA
Some problems go beyond a single incident. If you suspect systemic safety issues, like:
Trucks that appear overloaded
Repeated hours-of-service violations (fatigued drivers)
A company consistently allows unsafe practices
You can file a report with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA):
The FMCSA monitors carriers nationwide and can take enforcement action against companies that fail to follow safety regulations.
What Information to Collect Before Reporting
The more details you provide, the more useful your report will be. But remember, first and foremost: do not put yourself in danger. If it’s safe to do so, try to note:
Company name (painted on the cab or trailer)
Truck number (on the cab doors or fenders)
Trailer number (on the rear or nose of the trailer)
License plate number
Color, make, and type of truck (semi, box truck, tanker, etc.)
Description of driver behavior (tailgating, weaving, speeding, etc.)
Date, time, location, and direction of travel
Why Your Report Matters
Aggressive truck driving is more than just scary — it’s dangerous. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), aggressive driving behaviors are a factor in a significant share of serious crashes. And when an 80,000-pound truck is driving dangerously, the consequences can be deadly.
By reporting unsafe truck drivers, you’re helping:
Law enforcement target the most dangerous drivers
Regulators hold trucking companies accountable
Other motorists stay safer on Oregon roads
If you want to understand more about trucking accidents in Oregon, see our pages on the dangers of aggressive truck driving, semi-truck accidents, logging truck accidents, and delivery truck accidents.
What If You’ve Already Been Hurt by an Aggressive Truck Driver?
Reporting helps prevent future crashes — but if you’ve already been injured in a collision caused by aggressive driving, the next step is seeking legal help.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident involving an aggressive truck driver, we recommend seeking legal guidance from an experienced Portland 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 thorough 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.
With more than 30 years of experience handling personal injury and wrongful death cases, including truck accident cases, in Oregon, our office understands the challenges of crashes involving semi-trucks, logging trucks, delivery trucks, and other commercial vehicles. We have recovered millions for injured clients, and we pride ourselves on offering personalized, compassionate service while aggressively pursuing justice against at-fault drivers and trucking companies. We work on a contingent fee basis, meaning you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.
If you’d like to discuss your situation, call us for a free consultation.
Last Updated: 10-7-2025
