Here are some Aggressive Driving and Road Rage safety tips suggested by the Washington State Patrol:
1 — Allow plenty of time for the trip, listen to soothing music, improve the comfort in your vehicle, and understand that you cannot control the traffic, only your reaction to it. In the end, we may very well discover that personal frustration, anger, and impatience may be the most dangerous “drugs” on the highway.
2 — Be polite and courteous, even if the other driver is not. Avoid all conflict if possible. If another driver challenges you, take a deep breath and move out of the way. Never underestimate the other driver’s capacity for mayhem.
3 — When entering traffic or changing lanes, make sure that you have enough room.
4 — Make sure you have established a safe following distance between your vehicle and the one in front of you.
5 — Don’t make aggressive hand gestures to the other drivers when they offend you with their driving.
6 — Signal when turning or changing lanes.
7 — Control your anger; remember it takes two to start a fight.
8 — Avoid prolonged eye contact with the bad or angry driver.
9 — Get help. Call police on your mobile phone or go to a public telephone or place. Don’t pull to the side of the road.
10 — Forget about winning. No one wins in a highway crash.
11 — Put yourself in the other driver’s shoes. They may be driving that way because of an actual emergency!
For more information, go to the Washington State Patrol’s website at WSP.WA.gov.
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