Is Road Rage Illegal in Washington?

While there is no law against road rage in Washington State, there are laws targeting aggressive driving behaviors like speeding or tailgating. In other words, someone driving recklessly could face serious consequences.

In our post today, we’ll highlight some specific laws that could apply to a road rage incident. Also, we’ll provide some specific steps you can take to de-escalate or report an incident in progress.

What is the Difference Between Aggressive Driving and Road Rage?

While we often hear the terms “aggressive driving” and “road rage” used interchangeable, there are some key differences.

Aggressive driving includes reckless behaviors that put others at danger. Often, an aggressive driver is an impatient driver who is willing to disregard traffic laws. Some examples include:

• Speeding
• Passing in a no-passing zone
• Disregarding traffic signals
• Tailgating
• Weaving
• Excessive honking
• Red-light running

Road rage happens when aggressive driving escalates. Usually, the angry driver “snaps” and targets another driver. These situations can quickly become very dangerous. A car in the hands of an unhinged driver can become a deadly weapon. We’ve also all heard of stories where firearms become involved.

Road Rage Incidents are on the Rise in Washington State

Unfortunately, road rage incidents have steadily increased in Washington State. In fact, a recent Forbes study ranks Washington as the 9th worst state for most confrontational drivers.

Consider some of these startling stories:

• A man threw a hammer through a car’s window in Seattle, WA after a scuffle about merging.
• In Federal Way, a road rage incident ended in a deadly shooting when both drivers exited their vehicles and engaged in a fight.
• A man ended up with life-altering injuries after being shot in a road rage incident in SeaTac.

These days, it seems commonplace to hear about road rage incidents including road rage shootings on the news.

Washington State Laws that Could Apply to Road Rage

While there is no law against road rage per se in Washington State, there are many laws that deal with aggressive driving behaviors. If a person engages in reckless driving, they can absolutely be ticketed or even charged with a crime.

The table below lists some of the key laws about reckless driving in the State of Washington.