be smart. drive safe.

Road rage has become a scary thing nowadays. People are taking more action when their road rage boils. What one does can make or break the situation. Keep the following tips in mind when driving:

1. Abandon your own road rage: You will make the situation much worse if you act out on your own road rage.

2. Practice defensive driving: There is a chance that a driver on the roadway is having a “bad” day, in a hurry, or driving intoxicated. If you drive defensively, you can avoid being a part of those individuals’ bad day.

3. Do not look at other drivers: Making eye contact with another motorist can provoke a situation. It could initiate or increase your own rage, if they decide to make an obscene gesture toward you.

4. Do not tailgate or cut other motorists off: Nothing antagonizes a motorist more than someone who drives aggressively against them; therefore, do not do anything to “set them off.”

5. Allow the aggressive drivers to have the right of way: Even if you know that you are driving correctly or appropriately, just allow the other motorists to have their way.

6. Do not make rude gestures or yell at other motorists: Remember, it is not your position to remind others how to drive.

7. Move away from aggressive drivers: If you notice a driver with aggressive behavior, move a safe distance away from him or her as quickly as possible.

8. Avoid making driving a competitive sport: You are not a race car driver. It is not necessary that you win on the roadway.

9. Do not drive under distress: Avoid driving if you are angry, upset, or drowsy.

10. Adjust your driving attitude: Give other motorists the benefit of the doubt.

11. Possess reasonable expectations regarding your travel time: Give yourself a reasonable amount of time and do not establish unreasonable expectations regarding how quickly you will arrive at your destination.

12. Call 911 if you’re under attack: If an aggressive driver attacks you, call 911 right away and stay on the phone with the dispatcher. Consider driving to the nearest police station, convenience store, or other public location with witnesses. Do not drive home.