Arizona ranks #2 for deadliest road rage shootings

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - When it comes to violent drivers on the roads, Arizona is leading the country.

With easy access to guns, road rage can turn deadly.

According to Everytown for Gun Safety, Arizona is one of the top states for deadly road rage shootings.

In 2021, data shows that 33 people died or were injured in road rage-related incidents.

These road ragers are no surprise to Yuma streets with many being featured on a local Facebook page.

One local, Margarita Ruedas, says after merging into a lane during construction on 16th Street earlier this year, a truck began to tailgate her car, almost causing an accident.

“They followed me all the way down 16th, down pacific until I turned into the Starbucks," said Ruedas. "They were literally bumper to bumper, just like screaming at me. I was like freaking out.”

Ruedas says being closely followed over a standard lane change was frightening as it left her frozen.

“I was super scared," Ruedas said. "I started calling my mom right when that happened because I wanted someone to be on the phone with me. As a woman, being alone in general scares me, but yes, in the car I will gladly not honk.”

Another woman, Viviana Martinez, was tailgated up 32nd Street for simply driving the speed limit.

Working in insurance has taught her to remain calm and keep driving on to avoid dangerous situations.

“Not only that I’ve been in the position where I experience road-rage, but now I’m able to react in a positive way to avoid it," said Martinez.

It’s important to note that aggressive driving and road rage are not the same.

Bankrate's data shows that tailgating, yelling or honking at another vehicle are all factors of fatal road rage crashes.

More data from Everytown shows that in 2021, a person was shot and left injured or dead every 17 hours because of road rage.