Avoiding angry drivers best defense

Between Jan. 1, 1990, and Sept. 1, 1996, a total of 12,828 people were injured or killed as the result of aggressive driving, 218 were killed and 12,610 were injured, including 94 children under the age of 15. No drivers are immune to being involved with an aggressive driver. However, you can protect yourself. The AAA Foundation offers these tips:

Never underestimate the other driver's capacity for mayhem. Don't take your eyes off the road. Avoid eye contact with an aggressive driver. Stay cool and don't react to provocation. Keep away from drivers behaving erratically. Do not make obscene gestures. Use your horn sparingly. Don't block the passing lane. Don't switch lanes without signaling. Avoid blocking the right-hand turn lane. Do not tailgate.

In addition, remember to assume other drivers, mistakes are not personal. Be polite and courteous, even if the other driver isn't, and avoid all conflict if possible. If another driver challenges you, take a deep breath and get out of the way. You can reduce stress by allowing plenty of time for the trip, listening to soothing music, improving the comfort of your vehicle and understanding that you can't control the traffic, only your reaction to it. Be advised that a truly aggressive driver may follow you home, AAA notes. Some states have a cellular telephone number to report dangerous driving to the highway patrol. If you have a cellular telephone, learn what the number is in your state and use it when you see a driver behaving in an erratic, threatening manner, changing lanes often, speeding, flashing lights, blowing the horn and tailgating. Finally, if you are tempted to participate in a driving duel with an aggressive driver, ask yourself : "Is it worth being paralyzed or killed? Is it worth a jail sentence?" An impulsive action in response could ruin the rest of your life. Source: AAA Foundation

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