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 South Dakota, 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 actions such as speeding, reckless driving, tailgating, and illegal passing are traffic offenses that can result in citations, fines, and points on a driver's license. More severe conduct, such as using a vehicle to assault someone, could be charged under assault with a deadly weapon or aggravated assault statutes, which carry heavier penalties including potential jail or prison time. Reckless driving in South Dakota is a class 1 misdemeanor, which can result in substantial fines and imprisonment for up to one year. Additionally, if aggressive driving leads to bodily harm or property damage, the consequences can be more severe. It's important for drivers to understand that while 'road rage' is not a standalone offense, the actions stemming from it can lead to significant legal repercussions.