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 New Jersey, while there is no specific criminal offense termed 'road rage,' the state's legal system addresses the behaviors typically associated with road rage through various traffic and criminal statutes. Aggressive driving actions such as speeding, reckless driving, tailgating, improper lane changes, and illegal passing can result in traffic citations under New Jersey's motor vehicle laws. More severe conduct, such as purposely causing a motor vehicle accident or engaging in physical confrontations, may be prosecuted under criminal statutes, potentially as assault or even assault with a deadly weapon if a vehicle is used to harm another. Penalties for these offenses can range from fines and points on a driver's license to license suspension and incarceration. New Jersey takes aggressive driving seriously, and consequences can be significant, especially if the aggressive driving leads to an accident or injury.