How Texas Just Supercharged Road Rage Penalties

Starting September 1, 2025, Texas is cracking down on road rage incidents in the Lone Star State. A new law, passed and signed into law this year, increases the penalties against those who lose their cool on the road.

The law, SB3031, increases penalties for those who discharge a firearm into or at an occupied vehicle. As of September 1, it can result in a sentence of 5 years to life in prison. The bill makes road rage shootings a first-degree felony.

Alarming Road Rage Stats in Texas

Texas has a real problem when it comes to road rage-related shootings. A report from The Trace followed reported road rage incidents from 2014 to 2023, and the numbers are shocking.

READ MORE: Texas Ranks Among the States with the Most Road Rage Incidents

During that time, Texas had a total of 741 reported incidents. Of those, 530 involved shootings. According to their data, 146 resulted in fatalities.

The year with the most incidents in the study was 2021. That year alone saw 113 shootings on Texas roadways related to road rage.

Tragic Inspiration Behind New Texas Road Rage Law

Senate Bill 3031 was partly inspired by the tragic story of Louise Wilson from Houston. She was traveling to Galveston to watch the sunrise. She was only 17 at the time and died from a gunshot wound to the heart.

READ MORE: Amarillo Road Rage Incident Leads To Gun Being Fired

We've all seen or have experienced road rage in one form or another. For most of us, it ends at just screaming something tacky or mumbling inventive insults under our breath.

For those who lose control of their temper behind the wheel and decide to take action, the penalties for doing so are going to get much more severe on September 1. Driving can be frustrating, but it isn't worth ending a life and spending the rest of your life in prison.