Road Rage Related Shootings Up 12 Percent In IL Since 2021: Police

CHICAGO — Illinois State Police officials have seen an increase in road rage expressway shootings since 2021, which is a trend that has law enforcement concerned to the point of asking drivers across the state to be especially aware of their surroundings.

Although the total number of expressway shootings around Illinois has decreased since 2021, the state police report that 40 percent of the shootings that took place on the state’s roadways in 2022 were linked to some form of road rage.

After a 12 percent jump in road-rage-associated shootings last year, nine such incidents have already taken place on expressways in the Chicago area so far this year, according to the state police. The nine shootings are in addition to other road rage-related incidents including traffic accidents and fights that led to physical altercations between motorists, police officials reported.

Drivers are reminded to be aware of their surroundings while on the expressway and police said that road rage may take shape in several forms including:

• Following too closely or tailgating
• Improper or erratic lane changing

• Illegally driving on the shoulder of the road (emergency lane), in a ditch/median, or on the sidewalk
• Passing where prohibited
• Operating the vehicle in an erratic, reckless, careless, or negligent manner or suddenly changing speeds
• Failure to yield the right of way
• Failure to obey traffic laws, signs, and devices
• Failure to yield to emergency personnel and construction zone speed limits
• Failure to signal
• Driving too fast for conditions or in excess of the posted speed limit
• Racing
• Making an improper turn

The state police offer the following tips on how to avoid being the victim of road rage, an aggressive driver:

• If motorists are in the left lane and someone wants to pass, they should move to their right and allow them to pass.
• When merging, drivers should make sure they have plenty of room and use their turn signal.
• If someone cuts a driver off, they should slow down and give them room to merge into your lane.
• If a speeding driver is tailgating a driver, they should safely change lanes when able.
• Making gestures might anger the other driver; create distance and avoid confrontation.
• If another driver is acting angry, don’t make eye contact.
• Call the police if a driver believes a driver is following you or harassing you.

Victims of road rage are encouraged to call 911 or to go to the nearest police department or Illinois State Police post and report the incident.