Road rage is an ever-increasing problem on our highways. According to The American Automobile Association (AAA), eight out of every ten drivers have been involved in a road rage incident. Add to this the fact that many people carry guns in their cars and you’ve got a recipe for disaster.
A report conducted by AAA states that there was a 98% increase between 2017-2021 in gun violence on our nation’s highways. During this time frame, 439 people were murdered due to road rage. 2021 was the deadliest year so far, with an average of 44 people per month shot, killed or wounded by a raging driver.
Missouri highways are a hot zone for gun violence
The State Highway Patrol in Missouri reports that there were close to 14,000 gun offenses in 2020. This is an astonishing 107 percent higher than the incidents that were reported in 2019.
What is fueling violence on our highways?
Some of the behaviors that fuel aggression in gun-related road rage incidents include:
- Speeding or driving too slowly
- Weaving in and out of traffic
- Passing in a no-passing zone
- Failing to signal
- Failing to yield
- Excessive speeding, especially in construction zones
- Trying to bypass traffic by driving on the shoulder or breakdown lane
- Following too closely
- Driving while intoxicated
Traffic conditions can also trigger aggression, especially during rush hour. Some people become very angry when they have to sit in traffic after a long workday.
If you are facing charges for a road rage incident (with or without a weapon) in the state of Missouri, consider all of your options before accepting any deals. Navigating through the legal process is not something you should handle alone.