Drivers face $300 fines as new traffic unit starts crackdown – breaking 3 specific rules could mean 30 days in jail

POLICE are cracking down on aggressive driving, and drivers are facing steep fines and even jail time for breaking the law.

After data showed a 22 percent increase in road rage incidents over last year, police say it’s time for action.

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Delaware was named the seventh on a list of states with the most aggressive drivers.

The state’s score was 69.9 on a scale of 100, with 40 being the lowest – or the least aggressive drivers, according to Delaware Online .

An injury lawyer with Courtroomprove.com published a study based on driver data to determine which states pose the highest risk to drivers.

Traffic stop and accident data was compared, looking at various factors that would make road rage dangerous.

Factors include the presence or use of a firearm, speeding violations, and accidents caused by aggressive driving.

In Delaware, 2.2 firearm incidents were reported per 100,000 residents.

Almost 7 fatal accidents were reported per 100,000 residents, too.

In 2023, 139 crashes were attributed to road rage, and 43,600 arrests were made – representing a 22 percent increase over 2022.

To curb the behavior, authorities are focusing efforts on catching aggressive drivers.

Depending on the severity of the incident, a driver can be fined between $100 to $300.

If a dangerous weapon is used or an accident is caused by road rage, an aggressive driver can spend 30 days in jail.

The state also promises to impose severe repercussions on drivers cited again within three years of an initial offense.

On a second offense within that timeframe, a driver will be forced to take a driving course sanctioned by the state.

To be cited for road rage, a driver must be found to be doing at least three of 12 behaviors.

What is 'Road Rage'?

While road rage is often defined by an aggressive reaction to another driver's actions, it could be dangerous.

The NHTSA says road rage is different from aggressive driving, as it comes down to intention. The agency says many state laws include intent to harm as part of a road rage or reckless driving offense.

“Although some States have passed laws criminalizing aggressive driving, it should not be confused with road rage, which is an intentional assault by a driver or passenger with a motor vehicle or a weapon that occurs on the roadway or is precipitated by an incident on the roadway,” the agency writes.

“Aggressive drivers, as distinct from aggressive driving, often can be identified as those who violate traffic laws repeatedly or whose violations lead to crashes producing serious injury or death.”

Actions that define road rage in many states are behaviors like trying to run another driver off the roadway, using their vehicle to cause another driver to crash, speeding, weaving in and out of traffic lanes, or threatening and/or using a dangerous weapon.

Source: NHTSA

Three involve disobeying traffic control devices, ignoring or defying traffic lights, or passing another vehicle on the right.

Other offenses include speeding, not using a traffic signal, or overtaking a school bus:

• Traveling in the incorrect lane or disobeying posted lane laws
• Tailgating a vehicle by closer than 300 feet
• Failing to yield right-of-way left turns
• Failing to yield when entering a roadway
• Not using a traffic signal before turning – state law says a signal should be activated 300 feet before a turn
• Failing to make a full stop at a stop sign or stop light
• Driving at “unreasonable speeds” when entering intersections, hills, crests, and more

The outlet reports the state has passed several other laws to inspire safer roads, like a law that sees drivers traveling more than 90 mph cited with a reckless driving offense.

It has also passed a more extensive Move Over law that requires drivers to make room for all disabled vehicles when lights are flashing.

Additionally, the state changed the requirements of car seats depending on a child’s age and size.