Road rage

Kentucky has no single offense called “road rage.” Angry or aggressive driving is charged under the traffic and criminal laws that fit what the driver did, and those charges range from a traffic ticket to a felony.

Traffic offenses

State law requires every driver to operate a vehicle carefully, with regard for the safety and convenience of pedestrians and other vehicles. It also bars driving in a reckless or negligent manner that endangers people or property. Tailgating, abrupt lane changes and speeding can lead to citations for careless or reckless driving or for more specific traffic violations. A careless driving conviction adds three points to a driving record, and reckless driving adds four. A conviction for reckless or negligent driving that endangers people or property can also lead to revocation of the driver’s license.

Criminal charges

When aggressive driving turns into threats, violence or property damage, criminal charges can apply:

• Menacing: intentionally placing another person in reasonable fear of imminent physical injury. It is a Class B misdemeanor.
• Wanton endangerment: conduct that creates a substantial danger of physical injury is a Class A misdemeanor. Conduct that shows extreme indifference to human life and creates a substantial danger of death or serious physical injury is a Class D felony, or a Class C felony if a firearm is discharged.
• Assault: charges range from fourth degree, a Class A misdemeanor, to first degree, a Class B felony, depending on the injury, the person’s state of mind and any weapon used.
• Terroristic threatening in the third degree: threatening to commit a crime likely to cause death, serious physical injury or substantial property damage. It is a Class A misdemeanor.
• Criminal mischief: intentionally or wantonly damaging property, such as another person’s vehicle, with no right to do so. Damage under $500 is a Class A misdemeanor. Damage of $500 or more is generally a Class D felony.

A Class B misdemeanor carries up to 90 days in jail and a Class A misdemeanor up to 12 months. Prison terms are one to five years for a Class D felony, five to ten years for Class C and ten to twenty years for Class B.

If another driver targets you

State highway safety guidance gives this advice:

• Get out of the way safely. Do not speed up or try to hold your lane.
• Avoid eye contact and ignore gestures.
• If you are followed, do not drive home and do not get out of your car. Drive to a police or fire station or another place where there are people.
• To report an aggressive driver, give police the vehicle description, license plate number, location and direction of travel.