ORLANDO, Fla. — Reckless driving, excessive horn honking, and brake checks are just a few examples of traffic violations seen on Florida roads every day.
Now, data shows drivers are becoming more aggressive.
Every 18 hours in the United States, someone is injured or killed by an act of road rage.
Florida ranks as one of the most dangerous states for street violence, according to gun violence tracking group Everytown Research and Policy.
READ: Judge sets bail for Orlando road rage murder suspect
Just in January, an Orlando driver was arrested after confessing to shooting and killing 30-year-old Alex Sly, a young father on his way to his first day at a new job.
“He was building a legacy that he would be proud of and that Seeley would be proud of,” said David Bouton, Alex's uncle.
David and Debbie Bouton say their nephew Alex is turning his life around. His inspiration was his one-year-old son.
Read: 'He lost his life': Documents reveal what happened in Orlando road rage shooting
“He actually had a list of his goals taped to his mirror. And it was simple things he wanted to do, like tinting his car windows. He wanted to save $1,000. He wanted to spend more time with his son,'' Debbie Bouton said of the list of goals Alex left in his bedroom.
“And 52 seconds later it was taken away. 52 seconds,” David Bouton said.
The contact between Alex Sly and suspect Nicolas Carrasquillo lasted less than a minute.
READ: Brevard County man involved in previous road rage incident charged with attempting to run vehicle off road
Carrasquillo, who has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder, told investigators that Alex cut him off at a red light and he responded by honking his horn and flashing his lights.
But even when the light turned green, Alex didn't move. Carrasquillo claims that when Alex did not move his car when asked, Carrasquillo pulled out his gun and fired six times.
“I've had more than 52 seconds running in my head. I've timed it on my watch. My smoke alarm blinks every 52 seconds,” said David Bouton. “It didn't take long for him to make that decision and for me to make the decision to take everything away and end my life.”
Alex was one of 12 people killed or injured in Florida between January and February of this year. That's half the number the state saw all of last year.
And the violence did not stop. In March, a truck driver was arrested for allegedly shooting at another truck driver near Ocala. In Tampa, a 4-year-old was injured when a driver followed a car into a gas station and fired shots into the back seat.
Florida currently ranks third in the nation for the most mass shootings on its streets. Everytown research and policy points to access to guns.
“We found that states that do not require permits have nearly three times the rate of assault gun injuries on the road compared to states with the most protective standards.Florida will pass permitting laws in 2023. We eliminated it and reduced the number of permits,” said Sarah Byrd Sharps, Everytown’s senior director of research.
Researchers have linked road rage to factors such as anger and high stress.
In Florida's 100-page driving manual, only 0.5 pages are devoted to educating new drivers on how to be violent on the road. He advises drivers to avoid making eye contact with aggressive drivers and to keep their distance as much as possible.
Alex's family wants more education on how to avoid and de-escalate street violence. They also encourage Florida drivers to have more empathy for everyone, including aggressive drivers.
“They may have a good reason to try to make ends meet. It just changes the way you look at others. Don't get mad, it's not worth it,” said David Bouton.
Regarding the murder charge against Carrasquillo, he has claimed self-defense.
But he told investigators that if he hadn't honked his horn or flashed his lights, Alex Sly likely would have driven away.
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