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Houston police will be targeting aggressive drivers in response to an increase in road rage calls and incidents, according to a report by KHOU 11.
Additionally, Houston City Councilwoman Abbie Kamin recently warned motorists not to succumb to road rage following a Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee meeting.
"The big takeaway from our last @HOUPublicSafety meeting: Please #takethehighroad," Kamin tweeted. "Do not engage aggressive drivers, report to law enforcement, get home safely to your family. More resources will be out on #Houston streets to respond to summer uptick in vehicle violence."
According to KHOU, the Houston Police Department is intensifying its efforts to combat road rage by expanding its "Safe Roadways initiative."
"Through our Safe Roadways initiative, we are partnering with local law enforcement agencies to combat aggressive driving practices and behaviors," Lt. Grey Wilson stated in a video. "We've seen since 2018 a 24% increase in aggressive driving."
One such instance occurred earlier this month when 17-year-old David Castro was fatally shot after a road rage incident following an Astros game, according to a Houston Daily report.
"Don’t get drawn into it. Understand your surroundings, plan ahead because a lot of times road rage can stem just from frustration from the traffic in and out," HPD Executive Assistant Chief Larry Satterwhite said.
According to KHOU, Houston police have received more than 1,500 complaints this year involving road rage incidents.
Police warn they will be on the lookout for drivers who are speeding, tailgating, changing lanes without signaling and those who make rude hand gestures or use their horn excessively.
Additionally, Houston police said that they began their initial program last weekend and reported a 20% decrease in road rage calls.