Aggressive drivers targeted: Motorcycles included in campaign

By Ali Cheeseman, Delaware State News

DOVER — Police agencies are working to combat aggressive driving through the summer, with part of the focus on motorcyclists.

“The Heat is On Aggressive Drivers” is a campaign focusing on motorists who are endangering other drivers and to keep the highways safe.

Delaware State Police spokesman Cpl. Jeffrey Whitmarsh said during the summer months motorcyclists come out of the woodwork because of the weather, which leads to an increase in highway safety concerns with the bikes.

“They are included in the overall plan,” Cpl. Whitmarsh said. “We want to make sure people know we’re not forgetting that section of the motoring public.”

State police are working with the state’s Office of Highway Safety and other policing agencies on the proactive effort, he said, to make sure drivers, both of vehicles and motorcycles, get to and from their destination safely.

Some of the behavior exhibited by aggressive motorcyclists is the same as any other motorist, Cpl. Whitmarsh said, including not using turn signals, tailgating other vehicles and weaving in and out of traffic.

However, the size and agility of motorcycles compared to cars and trucks allows them to pull off a few other aggressive antics.

Cpl. Whitmarsh said bikes are known to do stunts on the highway, which constitutes aggressive driving.

Also, passing on the shoulder or down the center line would be in the same category.

“There are statutes that cover passing on the shoulder,” he said, “but it would be considered careless and aggressive behavior.”

Anyone who witnesses aggressive driving is asked to call the police when it is safe to do so, Cpl. Whitmarsh said.

Staff writer Ali Cheeseman can be reached at 741-8250 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it