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Road rage is a problem. We’ve all seen it happen and many have been a victim of it. You may even be guilty of it yourself. As gridlock and construction seem to rise, many find their personal time infringed on by traffic. Getting cut off, having someone steal your parking spot, slow drivers impeding traffic, and other people not abiding by road rules can also add to the frustration. It’s potentially dangerous if you don’t control your emotions.
We’ve gathered information to help you understand road rage and how to do your best to prevent aggressive behaviour on the road.
Road rage is aggressive driving behaviours such as cutting off other vehicles, following too closely, engaging in dangerous habits and not obeying traffic laws, which can impact your car insurance quotes.
The term can also apply to an attempt to kill, injure, or intimidate a pedestrian or driver, or damage their vehicle. It is perhaps best defined not by a specific action but as a negative emotional response or aggressive reaction to a situation or other driver.
Other signs of road rage can include:
Road rage can cause accidents and have a poor effect on the mental health of other drivers. Being a courteous driver and controlling your anger is crucial to keep yourself and others safe.
A recent survey shows that aggressive driving is on the rise.
Road rage is more common than you might think, as reported by the National Post in 2024. A recent survey of Ontarians and Albertans revealed that 81% of Ontarians and 80% of Albertans have witnessed road rage firsthand. While only a small percentage admit to yelling at other drivers (5% in Ontario, 4% in Alberta), far more have observed this and other aggressive behaviours, like obscene gestures (41% in both provinces). This widespread problem isn't just frustrating; it's dangerous and can have serious consequences.
These terms are often interconnected. Aggressive driving usually escalates into road rage, but road rage does not always happen in cases of aggressive driving. Other forms of road rage can include stunt driving and speeding.
When you feel angry or impatient, you may take bigger risks, such as speeding, swerving, or becoming distracted and taking your eyes off the road. Anger can turn into tunnel vision, leading to danger for drivers.
It’s important to practice defensive driving and take breaks if you are stressed, otherwise road rage could put you into the high risk insurance category.
While there isn't a specific charge called "road rage," the actions associated with road rage are traffic offences. The particular charge will depend on the nature of the aggressive behaviour. For example, depending on the severity, aggressive driving could lead to charges like careless driving or dangerous driving. If physical violence is involved, criminal charges like assault could also be laid.
Yes, road rage can lead to increased premiums, even if you aren't formally charged with a traffic offence. Insurance companies consider your driving record a key factor in determining your risk profile. Reports indicate that insurance rates could rise by 10% to 30% if a driver is found liable for a road rage-related accident.
Even if the police aren't involved, if another driver reports an incident of aggressive driving that they believe constitutes road rage, or if there's evidence, such as dashcam footage, of your involvement, your provider may:
Essentially, anything that suggests you are a higher-risk driver will likely result in higher premiums. Road rage, even without a conviction, strongly suggests increased risk.
There is no shortage of causes that can lead to road rage. Some you bring on yourself, and other drivers and situations bring some on. Here are some of the main causes of:
These are only some of the countless things that could cause you or other drivers to break into a fit of road rage. While you cannot control the actions or emotions of other drivers, there are things you can do to ensure you stay levelheaded when driving.
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While many assume road rage to be nothing more than an overly aggressive driver or someone honking their horn, it is a lot more serious. In 43 cases (72.9%), criminal charges were laid, usually assault, manslaughter or dangerous driving, because there is no charge specifically for road rage.
“Many road rage behaviours can be considered aggressive driving, which is one of the leading causes of death on Ontario highways,” said OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt to CBC News. "We still see it all the time, and people are just frustrated on the highways, I guess, and taking it out on their fellow motorists," Schmidt adds.
Road rage incidents in Ontario have increased by 9.25% since 2020, a worrying trend for drivers and law enforcement. Here is a look at the cities with some of the worst road rage:
Not convinced that road rage is a serious issue? In addition to some of the crazy videos that have popped up online, here are some eye-opening stats from safemotorist.com and NCBI that communicate the dangers of road rage:
Avoiding aggressive driving habits and road rage incidents are the key to staying safe. Here are some easy to implement ways to avoid situations where it could occur:
Do you find yourself constantly aggravated on the road? While you can’t control the actions of other drivers, you can control your reactions. Here’s how you can prevent your road rage habits.
If you have comprehensive insurance, you will likely be able to claim any damages from an accident involving road rage. Some companies may exclude road rage on the grounds of reckless driving, and the action is risky and deemed as criminal behaviour. Details can be found in your contror you can contact your insurer to confirm.
We’ve all had situations where another driver beeps their horn, gives you the one-finger salute or yells obscenities at you. While giving it back to them is tempting, you should always do your best to keep calm and let it go. Here is what to do if you are approached or threatened by a driver with road rage:
Road rage isn’t a crime under the Criminal Code or Highway Traffic Act, but the effects of it can lead to tickets and impact how much you pay for Ontario car insurance.
Road rage is dangerous because drivers do not have full control of their vehicles and cause accidents due to poor judgment and slower response time to what is going on around them. For example, they may run a red light instead of slowing down.
If you experience road rage from someone and your life is threatened, you can report it to Ontario Provincial Police. In these situations, it is important to be able to identify the driver’s license plate or vehicle.
If you notice that you tend to yell, make rude gestures to other drivers, change speeds and lanes without warning, or tailgate, you may have symptoms of road rage. Consider taking a test online or speaking with a mental health expert.
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