Man arrested for shooting at car during DUI incident in Taylorsville

TAYLORSVILLE, Utah (KUTV) — A man was arrested for allegedly firing a bullet through another driver's windshield in a fit of driving aggression in Taylorsville.

Taylorsville police said the suspect, Capone Dickson, believed the vehicle was driving too slowly, but police said the victim was exceeding the speed limit.

“It's a growing problem. Not just in Taylorsville, but probably across the state,” said Taylorsville Police Sergeant Jake Hill.

A retired police chief had some advice for those who may drive while angry.

“Stay calm. Don't cause any more problems and try to distance yourself from the situation,” said Chris Bertram, retired deputy police chief.

He said road rage often leads to possible criminal charges and that people need to realise that many incidents are the result of carelessness rather than malicious intent.

“Take a deep breath again to understand that it may not have been intentional,” Bertram said.

In July, HB 30, a new law against aggression in road traffic, came into force.

The law aims to curb aggressive driving through increased penalties. Hill said this is the first case in Taylorsville where the increased penalties may be applied.

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“Whether it's assault or, in this case, aggravated assault, it allows for a one-degree increase in punishment,” Hill said.

Will the new law prevent aggression on the road? Both Hill and Bertram say it is too early to say.

“People are emotionally upset. They don't really think about the consequences of their actions. They don't think about the even longer-term consequences,” Bertram said.

The police would like to remind drivers to remain calm in situations of aggression behind the wheel and to go to a safe place such as a police station, but generally to avoid confrontations.

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