Can You Be Criminally Charged for Road Rage?
It’s happened to all of us. We’re driving along, minding our own business, when out of nowhere another driver starts acting crazy. Maybe they beep their horn excessively or cut us off without warning. In some cases, this can lead to road rage – a dangerous and potentially criminal situation. Can you be charged for road rage? And if so, what kind of penalties could you expect? At Avera & Smith, our criminal defense lawyers are well versed in these cases and we look forward to helping you. Keep reading to find out if and how you can be criminally charged for road rage.
What Is Road Rage?
Road rage can be defined as aggressive or violent behavior exhibited by a driver of a motor vehicle. This can include, but is not limited to, tailgating, verbal threats or gestures, braking hard without warning, and more. In extreme cases, it can also include using your vehicle as a weapon. Essentially, anything that can endanger the safety of other drivers or pedestrians can be considered road rage.
It’s important to note that road rage is different from aggressive driving. Aggressive driving can lead to road rage, but it’s not always the case. For example, you may be driving aggressively but not feel any anger towards other motorists. In contrast, someone with road rage may not be driving aggressively but may still exhibit dangerous behaviors due to their emotions.
Can You Be Charged for Road Rage?
Operating a vehicle is a privilege, and only those who understand the rules of the road and are able to drive safely are granted a license to operate a vehicle. This is because, while fun and greatly beneficial, operating a vehicle also has the potential to cause destruction. While you can’t be charged with road rage just by yelling at someone from your vehicle who may have cut you off, you can be charged for road rage if you physically act on those impulses and cause harm, or intend to cause harm, to another person. Doing this while in your vehicle can have more serious consequences than if you did it standing on a sidewalk because, in the eyes of the law, a vehicle can be seen as a deadly weapon.
Using a vehicle to commit a crime or cause harm to others can escalate a charge from something like a simple misdemeanor to aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Possible charges include aggravated battery, aggravated assault, and even manslaughter. Depending on the charges against you, you could face fines and/or jail time. There is also the possibility of facing civil consequences if the victim(s) of the incident sue for damages or if they seek to recover compensation for injuries or property damages.
How to Handle Road Rage
Knowing what to do when road rage rears its ugly head can help make the best of a bad situation.
When Others Have Road Rage
If you find yourself the victim of road rage, the best thing to do is try to defuse the situation. If someone is yelling at you, driving aggressively around you, or otherwise exhibiting other aggressive behaviors, don’t engage. Instead, try to stay calm and ignore the driver.
If that doesn’t work, or if the person or driver becomes violent, your best bet is to try to get away from them. Get off the road if you can. Stop into a parking lot or drive through restaurant to take a break. If you need to, call the police or drive to a nearby police station. Don’t try to take matters into your own hands – it’s not worth it.
Controlling Your Own Road Rage
If you’re the one exhibiting road rage behaviors, it’s important to get help before you hurt yourself or someone else. There are a number of different anger management programs available, and they can be very helpful in learning how to deal with your anger. Getting help for road rage is important – not just for you, but for everyone else on the road. With help, you can learn how to deal with your anger in a healthy way and avoid putting yourself and others in danger.
Road rage is a serious problem, and it can lead to criminal charges if you take physical action as a result. If you’ve been charged with road rage, it’s important to reach out to an experienced criminal defense lawyer who can help you understand your rights and options. At Avera & Smith, we have extensive experience handling these types of cases, and we’re ready to put our knowledge and skills to work for you. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.