Preventing and Dealing with Road Rage

Even the most peaceful soul can get aggravated while driving. No matter where you go, someone is going to cut you off, tailgate, or forget they aren't the only driver on the road.

The hard part is keeping cool sometimes. No matter how angry you feel, you have to keep a level head. Aggressive, passive, hotheaded, stressed, and tired drivers are all around you. The last thing you want, no matter how upset you get, is to be involved in a case of road rage.

According to a report by AAA Foundation For Traffic Safety in 1999, road rage is on the rise. The rise is slow, but it's steady. Many states have laws on the books that deal with road rage, though these laws vary greatly from state to state.

The folks at CarAccident.com report, "Aggressive driving was a factor in nearly 28,000 highway deaths a year." They also say report there are billions of aggressive exchanges between drivers, on any given day in the United States.

Avoid

The way you drive is up to you. No matter what happens on the road, you have to stop yourself from taking it personally. The guy who just cut you off doesn't know you, and he would have done it to anyone. If you react by returning the favor, you are going to tick him off even more.

Be courteous, no matter how much it someone tries your patience. If you accidentally cut someone off, let him or her know you didn't mean to do it. You can try to say "sorry" to them or offer a wave, but know that an irate driver can interpret this as a sign of aggression.

Follow all the rules when driving. Don't tailgate anyone just to try to make him or her go faster. It usually doesn't work and is seen as a sign of aggression. Always use your turning signals when switching from lane to lane. You may be under the assumption that everyone is watching you and knows exactly what you are going to do next. This simply is not the case. A turning signal is a courtesy and is also a safety issue.

If you are going to pass, do so and get back over into the right lane. Many states prohibit traveling in the passing lane. If other drivers are trying to pass and you are riding along in the passing lane, they are going to get upset with your rather quickly.

If It Happens

You may have seen it before, the person in the next car over pointing a finger up in the air. No matter how angry this makes you feel, ignore it. Do not make eye contact. This will only aggravate them further.

You should slow down and let them pass you. Stay cool and pretend nothing is going on. You should never attempt to straighten things out by engaging with them, or pulling over to talk.

The last thing you want is to have a face-to-face confrontation with someone suffering from road rage. Do not pull over under any circumstances. Try to distance yourself from the driver, even if it means getting off an exit and cooling off before you continue.

If you suspect a driver is following you, don't go to your home or to your destination. Keep driving and call for assistance. Don't stop your car and do not get out, no matter what. If you are running out of options, drive into a well-populated place and draw attention to yourself by honking your horn and/or flashing your lights.

Final Thoughts

No matter how angry you may become, remember you know nothing about that person in the other car. They may have a weapon and they may be mad enough to use it. No one is a perfect driver, but do everything you can to avoid the common road rage triggers to keep yourself and your family safe.