The shooting on Kentucky's interstate highways contributes to the escalating highway violence, making US drivers increasingly anxious.

This month, two mass highway shootings occurred in Seattle and Kentucky, with the latter resulting in a manhunt, emphasizing the increase of such incidents and the risks drivers face while traveling.

On Sept. 7, in Kentucky, five people were allegedly injured by Joseph Couch, who is 32 years old, while he was firing his gun on Interstate 75.

On September 2, 2021, a 44-year-old man from California named Eric Perkins was accused of shooting on Seattle's I-5, injuring six people in three counties and damaging at least 10 vehicles with bullets, according to Washington State Patrol Public Information Officer Christopher Loftis.

The next day, Perkins was arrested and charged with five counts of first-degree assault with a firearm. According to court documents obtained by Planet Chronicle Digital, he admitted to shooting the victims and stated that he had recently lost his housing and was in Tacoma General Hospital the day before the incident.

Before the shooting, Perkins informed police that he believed individuals were targeting him. Later, he disclosed that his friend had given him a weapon for self-protection.

After Planet Chronicle Digital reported that highway shootings were increasing in counties across several states, including Washington, California, Wisconsin, Indiana, Pennsylvania, and Florida, the shootings occurred.

The number of people shot in road rage incidents nationwide has increased by more than 400% between 2014 and 2023, from 92 to 481, according to data from the nonprofit Gun Violence Archive.

According to Loftis, the number of highway shootings in King County, Washington, has increased this year, with 37 victims. This is similar to the number of victims seen in 2023, but in 2022, the entire state had only 33 such victims, with 14 in King County.

In 2024, there were 817 reports of weapons on freeways or roadways and 631 reports of people hearing gunfire while driving across the state.

Between a quarter to a third of the incidents, Loftis stated, are gang-related. Another significant portion, he added, is committed by aggressive drivers.

""It is challenging to investigate traffic incidents because by the time our troopers arrive, the traffic has already moved on," Loftis stated."

A "moving crime scene" presents challenges for investigators, as explained by Gene Petrino, a retired SWAT commander with over three decades of law enforcement experience in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

"Law enforcement faces challenges when investigating crimes on highways because they span different jurisdictions and are constantly changing. Witnesses are scarce due to the fast-paced nature of driving."

Drivers often don't report shootings until they reach their destination, as both Petrino and Loftis stated.

Petrino stated, "It's likely that you've experienced this situation: you hear something while driving, notice a dent upon arriving home, and assume a rock struck your car. However, people often fail to report incidents until they discover a bullet hole in their vehicle. As a result, gathering evidence will be challenging."

Some states have managed to control the problem with increased enforcement.

In 2021, there was a surge of expressway shootings in Illinois. In response, the state's police increased their enforcement efforts, implementing automatic license plate readers and other measures to combat the violence.

The number of highway shootings in the state has decreased from 189 in 2022 to 129 in 2023, with 69 incidents occurring year-to-date.