Ohio experiences rise in road rage shootings

The number of road rage shootings in Ohio each year has more than tripled over the past decade.

Threat level: The numbers mirror a nationwide surge in gun violence stemming from traffic disputes, per an analysis of Gun Violence Archive (GVA) data by gun violence newsroom The Trace .

By the numbers: Ohio experienced five road rage shooting incidents in 2014, according to the data.

• In 2023, the number had risen to 17.

Zoom in: A shooting last year on I-270 in Columbus injured a 25-year-old man and 1-year-old child .

• A shooting on I-670 in November killed the owner of a cigar shop in German Village.
• Police have made arrests in both cases, per media reports.

Stunning national stat: "The number of road rage shootings tracked by GVA increased by an average of 23% each year over the past decade," The Trace reports.

Caveat: The GVA is a private non-profit that produces a range of gun violence estimates based on police reports, government data, news stories and more.

• Some incidents go unreported, so not every relevant episode is captured.

Between the lines: As the number of guns in circulation continues growing and many states relax their gun control laws , it's possible that road rage incidents that otherwise would've been an exchange of middle fingers, colorful language or fists instead turn into shootouts.