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 Tennessee, while there is no specific criminal offense termed 'road rage,' behaviors typically associated with road rage can lead to criminal charges under various statutes. Aggressive driving behaviors such as speeding, reckless driving, tailgating, and illegal passing are traffic violations that can result in citations, fines, and points on a driver's license. More serious offenses, such as reckless driving, which is defined under Tennessee Code Annotated § 55-10-205, can lead to more severe penalties including license suspension, fines, and even jail time. Additionally, if aggressive driving escalates to the point of physical confrontation or the use of a vehicle as a weapon, charges could escalate to assault or vehicular assault, which are criminal offenses that carry the potential for significant fines and incarceration. Tennessee law enforcement agencies and courts take aggressive driving seriously, and penalties can be severe in an effort to deter dangerous driving behaviors and maintain road safety.