Drive Defensively When In This US State With The Worst Road Rage Problems

When it comes to exploring the U.S., nothing beats getting behind the wheel and hitting the open pavement. From a spectacular cross-country journey to an incredibly scenic route that takes you through seven states and five national parks, you could argue that nothing is more American than a good ol' fashioned road trip. The country's highways, byways, country roads, and coastal drives offer not just incredible scenery but also a big dose of history and culture — as well as romance.

As seductive as road tripping is, it doesn't come without risks. There are inherent dangers to driving, especially in rugged, mountainous country — as seen in this Arizona highway that may be best avoided on a road trip. Traffic and weather can also play a part. However, there is one element to also consider when it comes to peril on the highway: human beings, and their tendency toward road rage. Merriam-Webster defines road rage as "a motorist's uncontrolled anger that is usually triggered by an action of another motorist and that is expressed in aggressive or violent behavior." Whether it's aggressive honking, cutting people off, flashing headlights and tailgating, or outright violence, road rage is an issue anywhere in the U.S. However, according to a 2025 study conducted by ConsumerAffairs, one state in particular holds the crown when it comes to the likelihood of it happening: Louisiana. Despite its laid-back, Southern vibes, the Bayou State is notorious for road rage incidents, so it pays to be aware any time you find yourself cruising down its roads.

In its road rage study, ConsumerAffairs researchers "identified the states with the worst road rage by analyzing data on fatal crashes involving careless or reckless driving, violations for dangerous driving and traffic incidents involving gun violence." Once the numbers were in, Louisiana took the top spot for the second year in a row, with 100/100 points. It turns out that a shocking 60% of all of the state's road fatalities were "linked to aggressive or careless driving" and that the state also has the highest rate of traffic deaths caused by aggressive or careless driving per 100,000 people in all of the U.S. In addition, Louisiana recorded a relatively high rate of traffic incidents involving gun violence, with 0.48 per 100,000 people.

These sobering statistics are enough to give anyone pause before planning a road trip through Louisiana. That said, road rage can happen anywhere, and there are ways to minimize the risk. Always give yourself plenty of time to get to your destination, and avoid honking unless absolutely necessary. Don't get behind the wheel if you are experiencing particularly intense emotions, and always give other drivers space — many road rage incidents are caused by following too closely or cutting someone off.

If you do find yourself in a potential road rage situation, stay calm and avoid escalation. The best course of action is to ignore obnoxious or irate drivers, which means never stopping and confronting them. Remove yourself from the situation if possible, though if they continue driving aggressively, don't hesitate to call 911 for help. However, if you do find yourself a victim of road rage, documentation will work in your favor, so employing tools such as dashcams or cell phone cameras can help you later on.