Road rage is an extreme form of aggressive driving that results in a criminal offense. While the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NTHSA) defines “aggressive driving” as “the operation of a motor vehicle in a manner that endangers or is likely to endanger persons or property,” the organization specifies that aggressive driving is a traffic offense. On the other hand, “road rage” is defined as "an assault with a motor vehicle or other dangerous weapon by the operator or passenger(s) of one motor vehicle or precipitated by an incident that occurred on a roadway."
Both behaviors are dangerous, and the majority of sources conflate the two, but there is one important distinction:
ROAD RAGE CAN HAPPEN ANYWHERE
Unlike aggressive driving, road rage can happen both on and off the road. If you upset someone in a road rage incident, they may use their vehicle to seek revenge, but oftentimes, drivers get out of their vehicle altogether. In these situations, drivers usually enact violence on whatever or whoever they perceive to have slighted them. Sometimes, an individual will kick another’s vehicle. Other times, road rage is deadly.
In severe cases, perpetrators actually follow their victims home, where they threaten or enact physical violence.
A LOCAL EXAMPLE
In August of 2019, a road rage incident resulted in shots fired in Tulsa, Oklahoma. According to the news report, a man honked at another man while driving. The other driver flipped off the suspect, and he decided to seek revenge. In his anger, the suspect followed the other driver to his apartment, where the man found a knife to protect himself. The suspect went all the way to the man’s front door and pointed a gun at him. Shots were fired, but thankfully, no one was killed. The suspect was arrested and booked into the Tulsa County Jail.
HURT IN A ROAD RAGE INCIDENT? WE CAN HELP!
If someone who is experiencing road rage causes a car accident or harms you or your family, you are entitled to justice. Road rage is a criminal offense, but you can still recover compensation from the perpetrator, especially if the accident caused a wrongful death.
At Richardson Richardson Boudreaux, PLLC, we have experience handling all aspects of personal injury law, including intentional torts.
Tell us your story during a phone call to 918-492-7674, or a free consultation, and we will help you get the recovery you deserve.