Road Rage
Serge Semirog
Deep in the North Carolina General Statutes 14-197, it can be read as follows:
§ 14-197. Using profane or indecent language on public highways; counties exempt.
If any person shall, on any public road or highway and in hearing of two or more persons, in a loud and boisterous manner, use indecent or profane language, he shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor. The following counties shall be exempt provisions of this section: Pitt and Swain.
There are two things interesting about this particular piece of legislation. The first is its very existence, that is to say, that swearing as a result of road rage is a criminal offense in North Carolina. If a police officer hears you screaming obscenities and shaking your fist at other drivers while stuck in traffic, he or she can fine you up to $200 and the court may give you mandated community punishment.
Secondly, it should be known that this particular statute has seen a wide range of exemptions over the years, though only two counties remain on the list as of today. Therefore, if you truly want to express yourself in the most colorful way possible while on the road, take a trip to Pitt or Swain counties where there is no filter.