red lights, pass stopped school buses, fail to keep right, drive while impaired by alcohol or drugs and drive in a reckless manner. Some aggressive drivers try to cause harm to another driver, and that is how aggressive driving becomes road rage. 

To prevent road rage, it is sometimes better not to make eye contact with another driver. The other driver can take this as being challenged. 

## When an aggressive driver confronts you: 

• Do not make eye contact. 

• Remain calm and relaxed. 

• Try to move away safely. 

• Do not challenge an aggressive driver with increased speed or try to hold your position in your travel lane. 

• Wear a seat belt and encourage your passengers to do the same. 

• Ignore gestures and shouts and do not return them. 

• Report aggressive drivers to law enforce- ment authorities and give a vehicle descrip- tion, location, vehicle plate number and direction of travel. 

• If an aggressive driver is following you, do not stop or get out of your vehicle. Drive to the nearest police station. 

• If an aggressive driver is involved in a crash, stop a safe distance from the crash scene. When the police arrive, report the driving behavior you saw. 

## To avoid becoming an aggressive driver: 

• Allow enough travel time to reach your destination on schedule. 

• Adjust your schedule to prevent driving during times with the most highway traffic. 

• If you are late, call ahead so you can relax. 

• Do not drive when you are angry, upset or very tired. 

• Make your vehicle comfortable. Listen to relaxing music and prevent conditions that make you anxious. 

• When you drive, relax and be aware of how you sit. Sit back in your seat, loosen your hold on the steering wheel and do not grind your teeth. 

• Be polite, courteous and forgiving to other drivers. 

• You can control how you react. If another person drives aggressively, do not do the same. 

If you have the right-of-way, do not think of it as a complete right. Be prepared to yield the right-of-way to other highway users. To wait a few seconds for another driver is far better than to risk a crash. 

## ROAD RAGE 

What is “road rage”? Road rage is an angry, hostile state, which can increase into violent criminal actions or attempts of violent action that result from the operation of a motor vehicle. Road rage can include behavior to provoke others or to make them fearful. 

Aggressive driving is not road rage. Howev- er, aggressive driving can become road rage. Aggressive driving generally involves the violation of a traffic safety law, while road rage involves the breaking of a criminal law. 

Who can become road raged? It could happen to anyone when our irritation or anger with others leads us to behavior that is a threat to ourselves and to the safety and lives of others on and near the road or highways. To endanger, threaten or assault another person is illegal. These behaviors can result in severe penalties that include fines, imprisonment and court-ordered probation. They can also result in revocation or suspension of a driver license. 

