Road rage accidents are all too common here in the Las Vegas valley. Read to know: Is road rage a criminal offense?

As the Clark County Coroner’s Office released the identity of the man killed on Aug. 5 in a road-rage shooting on Interstate 15, we hear details about the victim’s untimely death.

Jeffrey Key Boyajian, 58 of Lake Elsinore, California died as a result of a gunshot wound.

According to police, a suspect in a white van was aggressively tailgating Jeffrey and then opened fire.

The suspect took off, and the police are still searching for him.

Boyajian was on his way to celebrate his 59th birthday. (Source: the Las Vegas Review-Journal).

What is aggressive driving?

Any deliberate, rash, and risky driving behavior with ill-intention and a complete disregard for safety (and the law) is considered aggressive driving.

What Should You Do If You Are Confronted By An Aggressive Driver?

What is road rage?

Extreme cases of aggression while driving can lead to road rage, which can have serious consequences.

Nevada Laws On Reckless Driving

Every state has their own reckless/ driving statutes. In many of the states that enforce aggressive driving laws, road rage is considered a serious criminal offense.

In Las Vegas, Nevada, reckless driving laws make it a crime “for a person to drive a vehicle in willful or wanton disregard of the safety of persons or property.” 

According to the NRS 484B.653, “the punishment for reckless driving in Nevada includes eight (8) demerit points being added to your drivers’ license as well as possible fines and incarceration.”

If reckless driving does not result in a physical injury or death, it is considered a misdemeanor. However, if it causes bodily injury or death, it is regarded as a felony.

How to Avoid Road Rage

The issue of road rage is a matter of concern as it can result in violence and even lead to death. Moreover, road rage is a criminal offense.

Consider this textbook example of road rage: You are driving peacefully, following the speed limits and are in your lane, when suddenly a driver cuts you off without signaling, and you somehow manage to avoid an accident.

There are plenty of drivers who tailgate, speed up, refuse to stop and wait their turn at the stop sign, beat red lights, cut other drivers off and are just plain rude.

Let’s go back to our example above. The other driver just cut you off and sped past. You are livid and exclaim, “What a jerk!”

You might also be tempted to speed up behind the defaulting driver and teach him a lesson. But at what cost?

Drivers who give in to that monster called road rage often get into serious accidents and/or shot dead by an angry driver. It’s just not worth it!

Whatever the provocation, do not let anger get the best of you.

Here are tips to help you stay calm in the middle of the most frustrating traffic situations.

1. Don’t drive when you are angry. If you are mad about a life situation, cool down before you get behind the wheel.
2. Expect mistakes. Expect drivers to make mistakes. We are all human. It is frustrating when someone makes a mistake on the road but learn to let it go.
3. Don’t be in a rush and be patient. It is better to be late than never reach your destination. For instance, when driving during rush hour, it is critical to stay calm. There is no point cutting through the traffic and putting others’ and your own life in danger.
4. Be courteous. Courtesy is contagious. Just be courteous to other drivers you share the road with, and that includes everyone at all times.

As in the case of Boyajian, you can also be at the receiving end of road rage.

Here’s how to avoid becoming a victim of road rage:

1. Avoid angry and reckless drivers as much as you can. Be forgiving, be tolerant and avoid eye contact with angry drivers.
2. If you see an angry motorist and prevent them from merging into your lane, it can make matters worse. So avoid such behaviors at all costs.
3. It is common for angry drivers to make offensive gestures, but you should ignore them.
4. If you witness a road rage incident, you should report it to the police.
5. If you feel threatened, call 911 immediately.
6. And last but not the least, if an angry driver starts following you, do not drive home. Call the cops and drive to them instead.

Whenever you find yourself in a situation like this, make sure you do not get confrontational; in fact, you should ignore the aggressor. If you ever feel the other driver may attack you, do not hesitate to call the authorities.

As we hope Jeffrey’s killer is brought to justice, we also want to educate everyone on the road about the dangers of road rage for both the aggressor and the victim.

If you have any information or video that could help detectives, call Crime Stoppers at (702) 385-5555.

Consult With an Experienced Road Rage Attorney

If you or a loved one has been injured in a road rage accident, you deserve to be compensated for your injuries, damages, and pain and suffering.  Working with an attorney who has experience with road rage accidents is the best way to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve.

To speak with an experienced road rage accident lawyer in the Las Vegas area, contact Anthem Injury Lawyers today.  We offer Free Consultations. Our phone number is (702) 857-6000.  You can also request a Free Case Evaluation through our website Contact Form.