It is easy to get a little carried away when you get behind the wheel. After all, driving alongside other people can be incredibly frustrating – whether you are stuck behind a learner or you are being tailgated. In these situations, one can find themselves screaming obscenities or honking their horn repeatedly. In many ways, road rage is an inevitable part of living in the United States, and it will always be present in some form. But when does road rage become illegal? When might you face consequences for these acts in Georgia? Let’s find out:
Road Rage Can Be Intense in Georgia
Road rage incidents can be incredibly intense in Georgia. On April 27, 2023, it was reported that Highway 80 had become a hotbed of violence prior to a beach party on Tybee Island. One crash caused seven hospitalizations when a muscle car collided with a van, and some reports say that children were ejected during the collision. When traffic crawled to a standstill following the crash, another waiting driver decided to do doughnuts in the traffic jam. He then struck another vehicle. Others began to stand on top of their vehicles and dance. Altercations then broke out, and one woman was shot in the back while sitting in a car with five other people. State Representative Jesse Petrea explained:
“There are numerous reports of lewd behavior, drugs, road rage, etc. To be clear, I have spoken with Georgia State Patrol leadership. GSP was not asked to assist Tybee in this event. Now, the island is inaccessible. However, our GSP crime unit was requested to help this weekend in Savannah and is doing so tonight.”
Georgia’s Road Rage Laws Explained
Most road rage incidents lead to charges of “aggressive driving” in Georgia. You will face this charge if you operate your vehicle with “the intent to annoy, harass, molest, intimidate, injure, or obstruct another driver. Examples of road rage include:
- Offensive gestures
- Insults
- Threats
- Reckless driving
- Doing donuts
- Brandishing firearms
- Lewd behavior
- Boxing other vehicles in
- Tailgating
- Brake-checking
The list goes on and on, and there are many other “imaginative” ways in which aggressive drivers can commit acts of road rage in Georgia.
So will you face criminal charges for aggressive driving in Georgia? Perhaps. Technically speaking, this is considered a serious misdemeanor with a penalty of up to 12 months in jail. But your consequences all depend on the specifics of your situation. In some cases, you might receive nothing more than a slap on the wrist and 6 points on your license. But if your road rage was especially serious (perhaps you used a firearm), you can expect to face the full extent of the law.
Get in Touch with a Lawyer Who Understands Georgia’s Traffic Laws
If you are facing legal consequences for a road rage incident, you need to get in touch with a traffic lawyer in Georgia. Choose Lankford & Moore Law, and you can give yourself the best possible chance of a positive result. We know that road rage incidents can lead to serious charges in some cases, and we’re ready to help you push back with an effective defense strategy. The truth is that internet research can only get you so far, so book your consultation today to pursue real results.
