Aggressive Driving

A misnomer. Correctly defined, "aggressive drivers" are the best drivers. Irresponsible and/or reckless driving was improperly described as "Aggressive." This unfortunate misuse of the language was heavily overused in the decade preceding 2010. True aggressive drivers are the most competent, alert and responsible drivers. The antonym for aggressive would be timid.Timid drivers are a major cause of automotive accidents and snarls nationwide. The term "aggressive driving" is believed to have been coined by the media, grasping for a single adverb to describe myriad acts of reckless driving. When retaliatory, such acts are called "road rage." The etymology of the term is a study of careless use of the language. Misuse of the term gained popularity (roughly 2 decades old) and has become so ubiquitous in the media that retraction and correction in the short term is very unlikely. Even the NHTSA has partially adopted the misnomer and unfortunately defines 'aggressive'sic driving as occurring when "an individual commits a combination of moving traffic offenses so as to endanger other persons or property." About 18 states have codified laws regarding so-called aggressive driving. Timid is the opposite of aggressive. Careful or prudent would be the opposite of reckless.