An Act To Deter Road Rage
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 29-A MRSA §2419 is enacted to read:
§ 2419. Road rage
1. Definition. "Road rage," with respect to a person operating a motor vehicle in any place, means but is not limited to:
A. Generally aggressive driving, including sudden acceleration, sudden braking and following another motor vehicle too closely;
B. Cutting off another motor vehicle in a lane or deliberately preventing another motor vehicle from merging;
C. Sounding the motor vehicle's horn or flashing its lights excessively;
D. Rude gestures;
E. Shouting verbal abuse, obscenities or threats;
F. Intentionally causing a collision between motor vehicles;
G. Exiting the motor vehicle to attempt to start a confrontation, including striking someone else's motor vehicle with an object; and
H. Throwing projectiles from a moving motor vehicle with the intent of damaging other motor vehicles.
2. Offense. A person may not commit road rage.
3. Penalty. A person who commits road rage commits a Class E crime, which is punishable by the suspension of that person's driver's license for 90 days, none of which may be suspended. In addition to any other penalty, the court shall order a person to complete a court-approved anger management course.
SUMMARY
This bill defines road rage and establishes it as a Class E crime. A person who commits road rage is subject to the loss of that person's license for 90 days and is required to complete an anger management course.