Richland Police-What to do When You’re a Victim of Road Rage…

Have you ever been the victim of road rage? Has someone flashed you an unwanted hand gesture? A fellow motorist cut you off, maybe someone was tailgating you, or someone wouldn't let you merge into traffic. Whatever.

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Road rage occurs all the time. The Richland Police Department shared some valid points on their Facebook page.

How to Avoid Road Rage
• Don’t rush. Give yourself time to get where you’re going; you’re less likely to become impatient and take unnecessary risks.
• Cool off. If you’re upset, take time to calm down.
• Give other drivers a break. If someone is driving slowly, keep in mind they might be lost.
• Use hand gestures wisely. Keep gestures positive—say, waving to a driver who lets you in when merging.
• Don’t tailgate. Always keep a safe distance from the car in front, no matter how slowly they might be driving.
• Lay off the horn. Honking out of frustration won’t solve any problems; it will just increase the stress level for everyone on the road.
• Don’t stop to confront another driver. Stopping could lead to a dangerous situation for everyone.
If Another Driver Acts Aggressively
• Stay away. Safely change lanes, gradually slow down or even exit the highway to keep a safe distance from the aggressive driver.
• Don’t reciprocate. Ignore the temptation to respond to the other driver; it could cause the situation to escalate. Don’t make eye contact.
• Don’t stop. Stopping could lead to a person-to-person confrontation, which could be dangerous.
• Watch your back. If you’re worried that the other driver is following you, keep your doors locked and drive to the nearest police station. Do not drive to your house.

Easier said than done. I've had drivers show me the "You're #1 with me!!!" salute and didn't know why. I felt bad. What did I do?

It happens. Accept it. DON't engage. Drive on.