Police on high alert for aggressive driving

Monroeville Police
Photo credit Shelby Cassesse

While traffic volume has fluctuated on local roads over the last year and a half, aggressive driving has only become a bigger issue.

Monroeville Police Chief Doug Cole said issues have ranged from speeding and tailgating to road rage incidents.

"Our crash data is not showing an increase," he said. "I think some of that's because there's less people on the road, but when we see individuals on the road, we are seeing more of the aggressiveness and not obeying the rules, is really what it comes down to."

Monroeville Police is one of over 200 local and state police agencies partaking in aggressive driving mobilization, which runs through August 22.

Officers on aggressive driving detail will watch for speeding, tailgating, red light running and other unsafe behaviors like texting and driving.

Cole said they'll focus on areas that either receive complaints for aggressive driving or areas with high crash data.

He wants to remind the public that engaging with an aggressive driver is not worth it.

"I can't tell you how many times we've had aggressive driving incidents become road rage incidents," he said. "We've had multiple of them, including to the point where we've had some serious issues with fights and even gunshots being involved in road rage incidents. Stay away from an aggressive driver. Just let them go by. Let it go off your back."

If you encounter an aggressive driver, Cole suggests calling police when you're safely able to do so.

Featured Image Photo Credit: Shelby Cassesse