CRIME TRACKER: Scorching temps mean hot tempers on Tri-Cities roads
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TRI-CITIES, Wash. -- The KEPR crime tracker has learned summer can be the most dangerous time for Tri-Cities drivers.
Tensions are "simmering" along our roads. Last month, dozens of people were fined for driving aggressively and putting lives at risk.
"We make sure that nobody's following us and if they are, we drive around a little bit more," says Tad Gardner, a driver from Richland.
There's a reason why Gardner is so cautious. A year ago, he had an altercation with another driver and was then followed through town, all the way to his driveway.
"[The driver] told us he would tear our head off," Garder tells KEPR. "It was pretty scary."
It's inevitable. Scorching weather leads to hot tempers on the road. Summer is the time when road rage spikes here in the Tri-Cities. The stats prove it. In January, Troopers ticketed 50 drivers for aggressive driving, but by June that number was up to 89.
A recent YouTube video highlights how scary road rage it can be. With 50,000 views, the video shows a man getting in a fist fight on the side of a LA freeway and then being knocked unconscious.
To prevent those types of incidents from happening on local roads, the fines for road rage are high. It could cost drivers up to $550 dollars.
To keep people safe, state troopers are relying more on unmarked cars to catch aggressive drivers. It's not a matter of keeping the aggressors safe, but everyone.
"Summer collisions tend to be more serious because of higher speeds and more things to distract people."
Troopers tell KEPR only a handful of road rage incidents actually lead to confrontation.
They say road rage is the biggest problem they face during the summer; even more so than drunk driving and other distractions behind the wheel.
Tensions are "simmering" along our roads. Last month, dozens of people were fined for driving aggressively and putting lives at risk.
"We make sure that nobody's following us and if they are, we drive around a little bit more," says Tad Gardner, a driver from Richland.
There's a reason why Gardner is so cautious. A year ago, he had an altercation with another driver and was then followed through town, all the way to his driveway.
"[The driver] told us he would tear our head off," Garder tells KEPR. "It was pretty scary."
It's inevitable. Scorching weather leads to hot tempers on the road. Summer is the time when road rage spikes here in the Tri-Cities. The stats prove it. In January, Troopers ticketed 50 drivers for aggressive driving, but by June that number was up to 89.
A recent YouTube video highlights how scary road rage it can be. With 50,000 views, the video shows a man getting in a fist fight on the side of a LA freeway and then being knocked unconscious.
To prevent those types of incidents from happening on local roads, the fines for road rage are high. It could cost drivers up to $550 dollars.
To keep people safe, state troopers are relying more on unmarked cars to catch aggressive drivers. It's not a matter of keeping the aggressors safe, but everyone.
"Summer collisions tend to be more serious because of higher speeds and more things to distract people."
Troopers tell KEPR only a handful of road rage incidents actually lead to confrontation.
They say road rage is the biggest problem they face during the summer; even more so than drunk driving and other distractions behind the wheel.
