Texas motorists consistently rank among the top worst drivers in the nation, with Dallas almost always placing above other major Lone Star cities; and in a 2026 Allstate Safe Driving Report, the North Texas giant fell below Austin, Houston and San Antonio.
According to data from the Texas Department of Transportation, road rage crash reports increase annually. More than 500 crashes across the 16 North Texas counties were reported in 2025, reaching a five-year high. In 2024, the number was 457.
These collisions result in damage to vehicles and injuries to those involved. Officials believe the best way to stay safe on the road is to prevent altercations from escalating.
“Tailgating, making gestures, repeatedly honking, yelling, blocking another vehicle from passing or following another driver can quickly turn a frustrating encounter into a dangerous confrontation,” said Daniel Armbruster, senior public affairs specialist for AAA.
Since 2021, Dallas and Tarrant counties have accounted for more than 57% of all reported road rage collisions in the 16-county region, according to TxDOT, and in 2025 Dallas County led with 145. Across the region, TxDOT reported 524 road rage collisions, almost 15% up from 2024. As of July 23, North Texas has seen 264.
The statewide rate for road rage incidents is 5.4 per 100,000 Texans, when using collision data from TxDOT and population data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Although San Antonio and Houston recorded more road rage incidents than Dallas in 2025, North Texas had the highest concentration of reported accidents. The increased numbers are driven by Dallas, Fort Worth and surrounding cities such as Denton. In 2025, Denton recorded 13.5 road rage incidents per 100,000 residents, more than two times the statewide rate and the second-highest among Texas cities with populations exceeding 100,000 people.
The Texas Department of Public Safety urges drivers who feel unsafe on the road to dial 911 and report the situation, providing the location of the incident and a description of the vehicle, if possible. Drivers are urged not to engage with aggressive drivers.
“Maintain a safe following distance to give yourself time and space to react to unexpected situations,” said DPS Sgt. Juan Gutierrez. “Avoid making eye contact or gestures with aggressive drivers, as those actions can escalate the situation.”
Drivers caught engaging in road rage incidents can be criminally charged with a number of offenses ranging from minor traffic violations, such as reckless driving – which can result in fines up to $200 and carries a maximum 30-day jail sentence – to felony charges including aggravated assault.
“At the end of the day, getting home safely is far more important than ‘winning’ an argument on the road,” Gutierrez said.