INDIANA— A new national analysis by car insurance experts reveals that aggressive driving is alarmingly widespread across the United States. While the study uncovers the common behaviors and triggers of road rage nationwide, Indiana motorists are urged to take heed, as local data shows a particularly severe pattern of aggression on Hoosier roads.
The nationwide survey of U.S. drivers shines a light on how driver frustration escalates into dangerous actions:
- Admitted Aggression: Nearly one in five drivers (18%) confess to shouting, cursing, or making obscene gestures when angry behind the wheel. Smaller but significant numbers admit to aggressively honking (12%), intentionally tailgating (6%), and purposefully cutting off (5%) other vehicles.
- Victims Far Outnumber Perpetrators: While fewer drivers admit to aggressive actions, far more report being victims. One in three (33%) say they have been intentionally tailgated, and 24% have been deliberately cut off.
- Top Frustrations: The number one trigger for road rage, cited by 43% of drivers, is phone use while driving, ahead of tailgating (36%) and being cut off (30%).
- Passengers Don’t Deter Anger: A majority of drivers (59%) admitted they behave the same regardless of whether they have passengers. Only 20% reported acting more calmly with the company, while 6% surprisingly said passengers make them more aggressive.
Beyond the national statistics, data suggests that aggressive driving and road rage pose a severe threat in the Hoosier State. Analysis of federal data shows that Indiana ranks third in the nation for fatal crashes stemming from road rage incidents.
Between 2017 and 2021, road rage was a factor in 7.3% of all fatal crashes in Indiana, translating to 486 instances where vehicular anger tragically ended a life. Incidents have sharply increased, with 126 fatal road rage incidents recorded in 2021—more than double the 51 recorded in 2017.
Indiana law addresses this issue through its Aggressive Driving statute, which defines the offense as:
Knowingly or intentionally engaging in at least three traffic violations during one episode of continuous driving with the intent to harass or intimidate another person.
These violations include tailgating, unsafe lane changes, and running red lights.
Legal Consequences for Road Rage in Indiana
Aggressive driving is classified under Indiana law as a Class A Misdemeanor, which carries serious penalties for those convicted, including:
- Fines of up to $5,000.
- Up to one year in jail.
- Possible driver’s license suspension.
If the aggressive driving leads to injury or involves weapons (such as a firearm, which has been reported in Indianapolis road rage incidents), the charges become significantly more severe, escalating to felony charges.
The Indiana State Police urge motorists who witness road rage to call 911 immediately and avoid engaging with the aggressive driver.
