Increase in Road Rage | Bachus & Schanker

Road rage incidents are on the rise. Over the last decade in the United States, the number of reported road rage incidents grew by 500%. In 2024, in Colorado, the Colorado State Patrol handled more than 30,000 calls related to aggressive driving or road rage, accounting for 56% of the calls they handled.

A person slamming on their vehicle's horn during a road rage incident.

In the U.S., firearms are involved in over one-third (37%) of aggressive driving incidents. Each year, 30 people in the nation are murdered because of road rage incidents.

In addition to murder and injuries from firearms, road rage incidents cause motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) and accident injuries. With the number of incidents on the rise, there is a risk of an increasing number of fatalities and injuries from road rage.

Understanding what road rage is, the dangers of road rage and aggressive driving, and the factors contributing to the rise in road rage can help you avoid road rage incidents, and ensure you know what to do if you are the victim of road rage.

Why Is Road Rage Increasing?

There are many reasons road rage occurs, and the prevalence of these factors is contributing to the rise in road rage.

The following are some reasons why road rage incidents occur:

Anger
Arguments with other motorists
Dehumanizing other motorists
Emotional or mental health issues
Intoxication
Stress
Volume of traffic

Real Dangers and Consequences of Road Rage

Extreme tailgating is an example of road rage. Ramming a vehicle into another vehicle is another example of road rage. For example, in May 2025, a man in Colorado backed into another vehicle in an aggressive manner.

Road rage incidents pose severe safety risks. In 2015, an incident in Florida ended with one driver shooting another driver and killing them. Another road rage incident involving a firearm in New Mexico resulted in the murder of a 4-year-old girl in 2013.

In 2025, a road rage incident occurred between Denver and Colorado Springs, leaving one person dead and multiple people injured.

Legal Charges

The legal charges for road rage incidents vary. Although Colorado reports enough road rage incidents for the state to rank third in the nation, Colorado does not have road rage laws. Those involved in road rage incidents can instead be charged with any of the following, depending on the nature of the incident:

Assault
Harassment
Menacing
Reckless driving
Vehicular assault
Vehicular homicide

What Should Victims Do After a Road Rage Incident?

If you are involved in a road rage incident, you should take the following steps to protect yourself:

Attempt to de-escalate the situation: Change lanes, let the person pass you, or take other steps to eliminate the source of the person’s frustration. Do not make rude gestures or yell at them.
Document important details: Record the time, date, location, vehicle’s license plate number, and any other factors that may be used to identify the perpetrator. Make a note of their behavior and how it’s threatening other motorists.
Call the police: Report the incident and provide the information you documented. Do not follow the motorist home; let the police handle the situation.
Call a lawyer: An auto accident lawyer can answer your questions and help you defend your legal rights after a road rage incident.

If you are in an accident because of a road rage incident, you should take the following steps:

Move to a safe location, if possible.
Check for injuries.
Call 911.
Seek medical attention.
Exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver, if possible, or wait for police to arrive.
Make notes.
Take pictures.
Video the scene.
Notify your insurance company.
Contact an auto accident lawyer.

Whether you were able to avoid an accident or not, you may have grounds for damages after a road rage incident. In some states, you can seek damages for emotional distress, particularly if the incident was intentional.

Road rage can contribute to phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and impact your quality of life if you’re unable to drive due to trauma from the incident. If you were in an accident, you may also have grounds to seek damages for property damage, medical bills, and other costs you incurred.

How Our Law Firm Helps Road Rage Victims

Bachus & Schanker has decades of experience handling personal injury cases, including cases involving assault and vehicular homicide. Our team understands the trauma victims experience, and that’s why we have a Victim Advocate’s team that provides our clients with resources and information throughout their cases.

We use our expertise to gather relevant evidence, so we can build a compelling case and use that evidence to get you fair compensation after a road rage incident.

We offer free consultations and do not charge fees until we win a settlement, ensuring the financial burden of legal fees won’t prevent you from seeking justice.

Get Expert Legal Help From Bachus & Schanker Today

If you’re in a road rage incident, you can help yourself stay safe by remaining calm and de-escalating the situation. Bachus & Schanker’s auto accident lawyers are standing by to answer your questions after an aggressive driving or road rage incident. We will explain your options for seeking justice, and explain what to expect from the claims process.