Anthony LaFaziaCEO, Atlantic Training · CEO at Atlantic Training | EdTech & Safety Compliance Leader

Understanding the Root Causes of Roadway Hostility: Identifying the Triggers of Driver Aggression

29 Apr 2026 · 2 min

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1:43

In this instructional monologue, Anthony LaFazia examines the underlying reasons why commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers—and drivers in general—engage in aggressive driving behaviors. He identifies multiple interrelated triggers: traffic delays that translate into perceived financial loss; the pressure imposed by Electronic Logging Devices (ELD) and Hours of Service (HOS) regulations that create a ticking‑clock environment; schedule pressure and fatigue that elevate risk‑taking, as highlighted by FMCSA research; the urgency of meeting delivery windows that leads drivers to speed; a false sense of anonymity and size advantage that makes large‑cab drivers feel entitled to dominate the road; a broader cultural tolerance of aggression reinforced by CB‑radio bragging; and personal stressors such as isolation, lack of sleep, and health issues that lower the anger threshold. After outlining these culprits, LaFazia signals a forthcoming discussion on effective response strategies. The content is aimed at professional drivers and road‑safety stakeholders, blending regulatory data with psychological and cultural insights.

Chapters

To improve your driving and protect your license, it's helpful to consider why people, and sometimes we, drive aggressively. One of the most cited triggers is traffic delays. For CMV drivers, this is compounded by the Electronic Logging Device (ELD) and Hours of Service (HOS) regulations. The ticking clock creates immense pressure. Congestion feels like money lost. According to the FMCSA, factors such as schedule pressure and fatigue significantly increase risk-taking. Running late is another reason. Passenger cars are just trying to get to work, You are trying to make a delivery window. Speeding might seem like a way to recover time, but it burns more fuel and risks a violation that could end your career. Anonymity is another cause. High up in the cab, you may feel insulated from the four-wheelers below. This size advantage can falsely make some drivers feel they own the road or can bully smaller cars out of the way. We also live in a culture that tolerates aggressive behavior, We've all heard chatter on the CB radio bragging about making time or blocking stupid four-wheelers. Then there are personal factors. Professional drivers are away from home, dealing with isolation, lack of sleep, or health issues. These stressors lower the threshold for anger. Now that we've exposed the culprits, let's look at the best ways to respond.