When road rage becomes gun rage: Facts and prevention

Incidents of road rage increased between 2017 and 2021. Studies show that up to one-third of drivers report engaging in road rage—but most of the time, that behavior doesn’t result in a life threatening standoff. However, occasionally, road rage results in fatal consequences. In June of 2022, a Texas man ran a red light. When an onlooker honked, the offender—in an episode of road rage—fired a gun into the onlooker’s vehicle and seriously injured the driver’s 8-year-old son, Nicco.

This tragic report isn’t the only of its kind. In 2021, More than 500 people were wounded or killed in a road rage incident. One of the best ways to stay safe behind the wheel is to stay informed. Knowing your state’s rules on concealed and open carry may help you know what to expect. And knowing what to do in the event of an incident may help you achieve peace-of-mind.

Road rage shooting statistics

Instances of road rage gun violence are on the rise following the pandemic. A road rage shooting refers to any incident in which a firearm is shot. It does not always result in an injury or death. While most road rage encounters end without an injury, it’s important to be aware of risks and to be ready with a plan in the event of an altercation.

Gun laws by state

States have differing rates of road rage shootings. Varying gun rage rates have been associated with gun control and firearm laws in each state. For instance, in 2021, Arizona, New Mexico, Tennessee, Texas and Wisconsin saw the highest rates of road rage incidents with a firearm. The same year, North Dakota and South Dakota had zero gun-related road rage incidents. You can find information on gun laws by state and road rage gun violence rates in the table below. Note that gun laws in your state could change.

Data is from Gun Violence Archive and is from 2020 to present (as of 7/10/2022).

Instances of road rage involving guns may occur at different levels. An offender may threaten a driver about a gun, show a gun, point a gun and/or shoot a gun.

Road rage shooting safety

According to the American Psychological Association (APA), road rage may occur due to high stress, mental health issues and psychological disorders and aggressive thinking. It may be prompted by driving on busy roads, carrying a firearm or even viewing aggressive stimuli such as billboards. While carrying a firearm doesn’t equate to road rage, studies have shown that proximity to a gun can cause individuals to act more aggressively, a phenomenon known as the ‘weapons effect.’ Road rage is more likely to be exhibited by individuals in an unrewarding job or living a high-stress life in an urban area—and the odds of aggressive driving increase when a driver is under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Adjusting your perspective may be helpful in avoiding road rage. Rather than thinking someone cut you off, you may want to consider that you could have been in that motorist’s blind spot.

Road rage shootings are more likely to occur after provocations such as tailgating, passing on the shoulder or flashing one’s high beams. Drivers exhibiting road rage often aren’t thinking clearly. Rather than confronting the driver, you may want to simply get out of their way, avoid eye contact and ignore any gestures. Meanwhile, you or a passenger may want to call law enforcement.

If you are involved in a road rage collision, you may want to follow these tips.

• Consider purchasing car insurance. You won’t want to wait until you’re involved in a road rage incident to purchase full coverage car insurance, which would protect your finances against damage done to your vehicle. If you lease or finance your vehicle, a certain amount of car insurance may be required. If you own your vehicle, you’ll be able to choose which coverage types you want. Even if you’re looking for cheap car insurance, you don’t have to skimp on coverage. Many companies offer affordable options for collision coverage and comprehensive coverage, alongside several add-ons. You may want to start your search by comparing car insurance quotes from several companies.
• Make sure you have valid registration: You’ll also want to make sure your vehicle has valid registration. When the police arrive at the scene, your registration helps them confirm vehicle ownership and assess past incidents.
• Make sure you and any passengers are safe. Immediately after a collision, it’s important to see if you and any of your passengers are injured. If so, you’ll likely need to dial 9-1-1 and seek medical attention.
• Report the event to law enforcement. Whether or not you need medical attention, you will likely want to call law enforcement and report the collision. You don’t need a police report to file an insurance claim. However, having an official policy report typically speeds up the claims process.
• File a claim. If your vehicle is damaged, you may want to file a claim with your insurance company. Typically, you can file a claim online, via your insurance company’s mobile app, or over the phone. You will typically have the option to submit photos with the claim.

Bottom line

The safety of you and your passengers is the most important consideration when dealing with another driver’s road rage. While most instances of road rage do not result in a shooting, it’s important to be cautious. One of the best ways to avoid road rage gun violence is to remove yourself from any altercations with another driver. Remember to avoid eye contact, exchanging gestures and honking. Instead, it may be best to lay low and call law enforcement to report the driver.

You may want to purchase a dash camera and avoid provoking reckless drivers. Most road rage altercations end with words and gestures and nothing more. But following simple protocol may help you avoid instances of life-threatening road rage.