Illinois State Police say road rage incidents are on the rise across the state and troopers are increasing enforcement efforts to target aggressive drivers.
ISP Director Brendan Kelly said troopers have conducted saturation patrols, primarily in northern Illinois, focusing on behaviors such as tailgating, weaving through traffic, brake checking, excessive horn use, obscene gestures and confrontations between motorists.
According to a 2026 ConsumerAffairs study, Illinois ranked 39th in the nation for road rage incidents. The report found fewer than one-third of one percent of incidents per 100,000 residents involved firearms.
State Police urge drivers to avoid confronting aggressive motorists, not make eye contact, and never attempt to “teach another driver a lesson.” If a dangerous driver poses an immediate threat, motorists should call 911 with the vehicle’s location, description and license plate number.
If being followed, police recommend driving to the nearest law enforcement agency or another well-lit, populated location rather than going home.
To address the problem, Illinois State Police have deployed specialized enforcement units in Cook County, supported by air operations, K-9 teams, forensic services and investigative personnel.