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 North Carolina, while there is no specific offense termed 'road rage,' the state does criminalize various forms of aggressive driving that are commonly associated with road rage incidents. Under North Carolina General Statutes (NCGS) § 20-141.6, aggressive driving is defined as driving carelessly and heedlessly in willful or wanton disregard of the rights or safety of others, and this behavior is considered a Class 1 misdemeanor. Additionally, NCGS § 20-140 describes reckless driving as driving with a willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property, which is also a misdemeanor offense. Convictions for these offenses can result in fines, points on a driver's license, and potentially jail time. More severe actions, such as using a vehicle to assault someone, could lead to felony charges, including assault with a deadly weapon. Traffic violations like speeding, tailgating, and illegal passing can also lead to tickets and license suspensions. North Carolina takes aggressive driving seriously, and penalties can be significant, including fines and incarceration, depending on the severity of the offense and whether it resulted in injury, death, or property damage.