Dallas police reported over 800 road rage incidents in 2022, and aggressive driving continues to be a problem in the metroplex this year. So far this year, multiple road rage incidents have escalated into shootings.
On Tuesday, a 16-year-old boy died in an apparent road rage-related shooting on Santa Anna Avenue in Dallas. Last month, a 27-year-old woman was shot in the neck while traveling on Highway 121 in Grapevine. The month before, a 33-year-old man was fatally shot while traveling along Central Expressway in Dallas.
Of course, not all road rage incidents end in a shooting, but aggressive driving is still a very dangerous reality on Texas roads.
The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) published a fact sheet outlining the dangers of road rage and its negative impacts on public safety, and it offers tips to avoid these dangerous situations.
The terms “road rage” and “aggressive driving” originated in the 1990s after a series of deadly incidents on the road caught the nation’s attention.
Aggressive driving includes unsafe driving behaviors such as:
- “speeding in heavy traffic;
- Â tailgating;
- Â cutting in front of another driver, then slowing down;
- Â running red lights or stop signs;
- Â weaving in and out of traffic;
- Â changing lanes without signaling;
- Â blocking cars attempting to pass or change lanes; or
- Â passing a vehicle on the wrong side of the road.”
Examples of road rage include:
- “cursing or making rude or obscene gestures at other drivers;
- throwing objects at another vehicle;
- ramming or sideswiping a vehicle;
- forcing a driver off the road; or
- physically assaulting a driver.”
The fact sheet notes that road rage incidents have been consistently rising since the 1990s, highlighting the violent turn that aggressive driving can take when angry drivers opt to use a firearm.
“Unfortunately, road rage continues to rise. Fatal car crashes related to aggressive driving climbed nearly 500% from 80 in 2006 to 467 in 2015. Moreover, incidents of drivers waving or firing a gun at another driver or passenger rose from 247 in 2014 to 620 in 2016,” the TDI reported.
The fact sheet advises Texas drivers to avoid conflict with drivers who are displaying road rage. It also warns drivers to control their emotions, follow the law, and remain alert.
“While drivers have no control over others on the road, they can control their behaviors and reactions to circumstances around them. Staying alert, remaining calm, and obeying the rules of the road can help decrease aggressive driving and avoid the dangers of road rage,” TDI advised.
In an effort to curb road rage incidents, the Dallas Police Department joined the North Texas Road Task Force in 2022. The task force is made up of police officers from Dallas, Irving, Mesquite, and Grand Prairie and also includes officers from the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office and the Texas Department of Public Safety.
The task force specifically targets aggressive drivers, speeding drivers, and those driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
The Dallas Police Department also provided its own list of helpful tips to avoid dangerous road rage encounters.
- “first and foremost, be courteous;
- never tailgate;
- always use a turn signal when changing lanes;
- avoid changing lanes at the last minute;
- always check your mirrors and let faster motorists pass;
- avoid honking your horn when possible;
- remember other drivers may have had a very stressful day;
- if someone continues to follow you after a couple of turns, proceed to your local law enforcement agency or remain in a well-lighted public area;
- plan your trip well in advance and give yourself plenty of time to arrive.”
