To the Members of the Illinois General Assembly, State Officials, and Community Leaders:

We, the undersigned residents and concerned citizens of Illinois, respectfully petition for stronger and more comprehensive laws addressing road rage and aggressive driving throughout our state.

Road rage is a serious public safety issue that often involves threatening, intimidating, or reckless behavior toward other motorists. While some incidents result in accidents, many do not. However, drivers who are followed, harassed, threatened, brake-checked, forced off the road, or subjected to aggressive confrontations can experience fear, emotional distress, and an increased risk of future harm. Current laws may not adequately address these situations when no collision occurs.

We urge Illinois lawmakers to:

Establish a specific road rage offense that covers aggressive and threatening conduct, regardless of whether an accident occurs.

Allow victims to file police reports and seek investigations for documented road rage incidents even when there is no crash, injury, or property damage.

Increase penalties for aggressive driving behaviors such as tailgating, brake-checking, intentionally blocking vehicles, following motorists, making threats, or attempting to force another vehicle from the roadway.

Enhance penalties when road rage incidents involve weapons, physical assaults, children in vehicles, vulnerable individuals, or repeat offenders.

Permit the use of dashcam, surveillance, and witness evidence to support investigations and enforcement actions.

Require educational and anger-management programs for individuals convicted of road rage-related offenses.

Improve statewide tracking and reporting of road rage incidents, including those that do not result in accidents.

Promote public awareness campaigns about the dangers and consequences of road rage.

No Illinois resident should have to wait until a crash, injury, or death occurs before threatening and dangerous behavior is taken seriously. Road rage can have severe consequences even when an accident is avoided. Illinois law should provide protection and accountability for victims of these incidents.

We respectfully request that the Illinois General Assembly review and enact legislation that recognizes and addresses all forms of road rage, including incidents that do not result in accidents.