Road rage surges as nearly all drivers report aggressive behavior

By Alexis Freeman

Courtesy of Adobe Express

Road rage and aggressive driving are increasingly common on U.S. roadways, with nearly all

drivers admitting to risky behavior behind the wheel, according to a 2025 study by the AAA

Foundation of Traffic Safety. The report found that 96 percent of drivers engaged in some form of aggressive driving over the past year, challenging assumptions that road rage is limited to a small subset of motorists. In the same report, it was revealed that 92 percent of drivers said they performed dangerous

behaviors such as cutting off other vehicles, speeding, and weaving through traffic. Meanwhile, 11 percent admitted to partaking in violent actions, which include confronting other drivers face-to-face and bumping other cars. But driving researchers say, road etiquette could make quite a difference. The AAA Foundation noted that drivers who value manners and courtesy are less likely to engage in aggressive behavior. According to the AAA Newsroom David Yang, president and executive director of the AAA Foundation, called for a “culture change” behind the wheel. Experts on this topic say aggressive behavior poses serious safety risks. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, aggressive driving can contribute to roughly two-thirds of traffic

fatalities, including behaviors stemming from running red lights, speeding, and improper lane changes.

While aggressive driving and road rage are sometimes used interchangeably, the AAA

Foundation distinguishes them: aggressive driving is seen as “unsafe driving behavior performed deliberately,” whereas road rage includes intentional assault or confrontation.

Looking beyond car crashes, road rage often leads to violence. Gun-related incidents tied to road rage have seen to rise, according to a Pew Research Center analysis of data from the Gun Violence Archive. In 2022, there were 148 reported fatalities and injuries linked to these

incidents, the highest recent annual total.

Social scientists warn the trend may reflect broader stress among drivers. According to an

insurance research firm, The Zebra, reported that 76 percent of drivers believe road rage has

worsened over the past year.

“To address this issue, we need to educate people on the importance of being patient and

courteous when it comes to other drivers on the road,” said Alex Freeman, a police Captain. "If someone is in a hurry, they should give themselves enough time to anticipate delays in traffic”. Some law enforcement agencies, such as the Illinois State Police, have launched road-rage awareness campaigns, though official tracking remains limited. Utah and California are one of the few states that have laws that explicitly define and penalize road rage. Traffic safety advocates hope AAA's findings will spur renewed focus on driver behavior. According to the foundation, promoting things such as simple actions that could signal, staying calm, and yielding, could potentially reduce the risk of road rage incidents.

As frustration on the road continues, the help of education, law enforcement, and community

campaigns may all play a role in improving safety on the roads. Slowing down and staying calm behind the wheel can make the roads feel safer for everyone.