Aggressive driving and road rage are distinct but related behaviors exhibited by motorists. Aggressive driving encompasses a range of traffic offenses, including speeding, tailgating, erratic lane changes, and ignoring traffic signals. These actions, while dangerous and illegal, are generally motivated by impatience, frustration, or disregard for traffic laws. An example of aggressive driving is repeatedly exceeding the speed limit while weaving through traffic to reach a destination more quickly.
Road rage, on the other hand, represents a more extreme and potentially violent reaction. It involves deliberately endangering other drivers or their vehicles and can manifest as physical assaults, verbal threats, or intentional vehicle collisions. The root causes of road rage are often anger, stress, and a sense of anonymity while driving. Historically, both aggressive driving and road rage have contributed to increased accidents, injuries, and fatalities on roadways.