There is not a criminal offense called road rage in most states, but there are criminal offenses for the aggressive, reckless driving motivated by anger, rage, and frustration that often leads to motor vehicle accidents and dangerous or deadly confrontations between drivers in road rage incidents. Aggressive driving behavior may also lead to traffic tickets and driver’s license suspensions for related offenses such as speeding, reckless driving, tailgating, lane blocking, illegal passing, racing, and assault with a deadly weapon (motor vehicle). And some states have passed laws that include significant fines and potential jail or prison time for such reckless driving.

In Maryland, while there is no specific criminal offense termed 'road rage,' behaviors typically associated with road rage can fall under various traffic and criminal statutes. Aggressive driving in Maryland is defined under Maryland Transportation Code § 21-901.1, which includes actions such as excessive speeding, unsafe lane changes, tailgating, and failing to yield the right of way. These actions can lead to traffic citations and points on a driver's license. More severe conduct, such as using a vehicle to assault someone, could be charged under Maryland's assault statutes, potentially as assault with a deadly weapon. Reckless driving, defined under Maryland Transportation Code § 21-901.1, carries penalties that may include fines, imprisonment, and license suspension. Maryland law enforcement takes aggressive driving seriously, and penalties can be significant, including fines and potential jail time, to deter such dangerous behavior on the roads.