Road rage incidents

Road rage incidents can be complex, as they can involve a range of both traffic and criminal offences.

These offences are often complicated to deal with and there is usually evidence from a wide variety of sources.

What is road rage?

The term road rage has become an often used term in everyday life used to describe any situation where drivers become angry whilst driving which can often, although not always, result in some form of criminal offence as part and parcel of it.

If you are accused of road rage or attacking another driver, you should be prepared for the possibility of a custodial sentence. The courts are getting tougher on these offences. It’s important to get expert legal advice from specialist solicitors quickly and as soon as possible so they can help prepare your defence and case with the maximum benefit to you.

There are no specific laws labelled as ‘Road Rage’ for that very reason. But it can be a criminal offence to exhibit aggressive and threatening behaviour whilst driving, as well as covering circumstances where following altercations whilst driving lead to incidents outside the car fuelled by this.

If you face a charge concerning a road rage incident contact our specialist solicitors for advice. Road rage incidents can involve different traffic and criminal offences.

• Public order offences – Outlines different levels of offences, including using threatening offences to cause fear of unlawful violence. These relate to offences that affect public order and can include where a member of the public fears for their own safety.
• Assault – if physical violence is involved, charges such as common assault and Actual Bodily Harm or Grievous Bodily Harm can be brought depending on the level of injuries that may be caused.
• Criminal Damage- If the road rage incident causes damage to a vehicle or another individual’s property, then one could be charged for criminal damage.
• Careless or dangerous driving – You could be charged with either careless or dangerous driving if another individual is hurt, or the driving falls below the expected minimum standard. For careless driving this is falling below the standard of the reasonably competent driver, for dangerous far below. It could also include cases where racing or the like is involved which would potentially be covered by dangerous driving.
• Hit & Run- if you hit another person with your vehicle and fail to stop, you could be given points on your licence or a prison sentence depending on the severity of the case.

For more information or advice

Contact Elizabeth Bradshaw on:
Call: 01245 369889 or
email: bradshawl@gepp.co.uk

Area of Expertise

• Assault
• Careless or dangerous driving
• Hit & Run
• Public order offences