DENVER — Reports of aggressive drivers on Colorado's roads increased in 2022, surpassing the number of reports for suspected drunken drivers.
Colorado State Patrol (CSP) said its emergency dispatchers answered 57,899 calls to its *CSP (*277) program in 2022. About 54% of the calls were related to road rage or aggressive driving. Aggressive driving reports were up approximately 4.5% over 2021, CSP said.
"If someone cuts you off, tailgates or makes a rude gesture, you may be tempted to get even but just don’t," said CSP Chief Matthew C. Packard in a news release. "No one ever thinks anger will turn to violence, but it can and it does. Your best response is to keep your composure, let the aggressive driver move on and do not engage. It’s simply not worth your energy or the risk."
The *CSP program launched in July 1998 for motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians to report "real time" aggressive or suspected DUI drivers.
CSP said if you see someone trying to block another vehicle from changing lanes or running red lights, find a safe spot to pull over and call *CSP with a description and location of the vehicle.
While there are many behaviors that indicate aggressive driving or a road rage situation, some of the most notable behaviors include:
- Tailgating
- Honking in anger
- Making angry gestures
- Passing on the right
- Showing a weapon
- Excessive speeding
- Weaving in and out of traffic
- Getting out of the vehicle to confront another driver
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