States Filled With Crazy Road Rage Spikes
Unfortunately, confrontational driving (or road rage) is becoming more and more of a problem on American roads. In fact, over the past decade, the number of violent road rage incidents in the country has reportedly surged by more than 400%. In 2014, the number of reported incidents was less than 100. However, it has now jumped to more than 500 on average per year! Of course, this doesn’t take into account the large portion of incidents that go unreported. Let's take a closer look at the states in particular where road rage is on the rise.
California
In the past few years, Californian drivers ranked as the most confrontational in the entire country. Even so, road rage remains a persistent issue in the area. This doesn’t come as much of a surprise, considering the large number of people who live in California and the state's high population density.
Missouri
Missouri is the second most confrontational state in the country. According to a recent study, it also has the highest percentage of drivers who have been yelled at or threatened by other drivers while on the road.
Utah
Utah is one of the worst states in the country when it comes to road rage, and, unfortunately, it seems only to be getting worse. More so, it has the highest percentage of drivers who reported being cut off on purpose on their daily commute.
Oklahoma
If you ever find yourself in Oklahoma, you will more than likely be at the receiving end of rude or offensive gestures at some point or another. Sadly, it seems as though road rage is on the rise in this state, as more and more incidents of confrontational driving are being reported annually.
Colorado
According to studies, drivers in Colorado are among some of the angriest in the country. In fact, last year, the state reported the highest number of incidents in which drivers got out of their vehicle to fight or yell at other road users. Understandably, the problem seems to be significantly worse in major cities, such as Denver or Boulder.
Mississippi
Mississippi is yet another state that has experienced a sudden increase in road rage in recent years. Of all the incidents reported in the past year, it's been reported that nearly 14% involved drivers stepping out of their vehicle to personally confront other motorists.
Virginia
Virginia drivers appear to be among the most assertive in the country, with a high number of motorists reporting being forced off the road at some point.
Indiana
In recent years, the number of road rage incidents reported in the Indiana area has increased drastically. In fact, studies show that the state has one of the highest percentages of drivers who exit their vehicle during an altercation.
New York
This probably won’t come as a surprise to many, but New York drivers are some of the angriest in the country. Incident reports are much more common in the major cities, and NYC in particular. With so many people in a small area, it makes sense that drivers clash pretty often!
Maryland
Maryland has one of the highest numbers of reports of drivers purposely blocking other motorists from changing lanes or merging. This is usually a pretty good indicator when it comes to the mindset of drivers.
Arizona
Arizona has seen a concerning increase in road rage incidents in the past few years. Over 30% of drivers report having been physically confronted by another motorist at some point or another. More so, incidents involving firearms are alarmingly common.
Rhode Island
Unfortunately, road rage is pretty common in Rhode Island. To be more specific, almost 98% of drivers report having been yelled at, insulted, or threatened at some point while driving in the area. 56% of incidents reported involved drivers stepping out of their vehicle to confront the other person.
West Virginia
In recent years, the number of road rage incidents in West Virginia has increased dramatically. Many locals argue that the rural highways and slow response time from local law enforcement contribute to the problem.
Texas
Texas has always been one of the most confrontational states in the country when it comes to driving. Over the years, it has seen some of the most high-profile road rage incidents. More so, many drivers report avoiding honking or making eye contact with other motorists in fear of escalation.
Nevada
Nevada, and Las Vegas in particular, has become a bit of a hotspot for road rage in recent years. Experts believe that high traffic congestion, tourist stress, and widespread firearm access are the main causes behind the problem.
New Mexico
Areas of New Mexico, especially Las Cruces, have seen a disturbing increase in the number of road rage incidents in recent years. Many of the cases reported have turned violent and, sadly, even deadly.
Florida
Florida is yet another state with a growing concern for road rage. Sadly, the state ranked third in the country for road rage-related shootings. Since 2018, the state has also seen a 48% increase in accidents caused by aggressive driving.
Georgia
With incidents becoming increasingly common, it’s safe to say that Georgia has a very serious road rage problem. Some of the most common incidents in the area include verbal altercations and vehicular assaults. Sadly, the number of confrontational shootings is also on the rise.
Illinois
In recent years, parts of Illinois have seen a troubling increase in the number of reported road rage incidents. This is particularly true in densely populated areas, such as Chicago.
Tennessee
The road rage crisis in Tennessee is becoming increasingly dire. The state currently sits in the top five when it comes to the number of shootings related to road rage.
Alabama
Alabama has ranked as one of the worst states for road rage for a number of years. More so, the state has the third-highest number of fatalities related to road rage in the country. Heavy traffic and an aggressive driving culture are to blame for the problem.
