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 Oregon, while there is no specific criminal offense termed 'road rage,' behaviors typically associated with road rage can lead to criminal charges under various traffic and criminal statutes. Aggressive driving actions such as speeding, reckless driving, tailgating, and illegal passing are traffic violations that can result in citations, fines, and potentially the suspension of a driver's license. More serious offenses, such as using a vehicle to commit an assault, could be charged under Oregon's assault statutes, potentially as assault with a deadly weapon if a motor vehicle is used to intentionally harm another. Reckless driving in Oregon is a Class A misdemeanor, which can carry significant penalties including fines and jail time. Additionally, if aggressive driving leads to an accident causing injury or death, the offending driver could face even more severe charges, such as vehicular assault or manslaughter. Oregon law enforcement agencies and courts take aggressive driving seriously, and penalties can be severe to deter such behavior and maintain road safety.