ROAD RAGE FACTORS HOW TO AVOID ROAD RAGE Here are some common factors that often Make sure you have the right car insurance policy to contribute to road rage incidents or aggressive protect yourself from aggressive drivers or if you find driving behavior. yourself the victim of a road rage incident. TRAFFIC DELAYS BEFORE YOU GET BEHIND THE WHEEL o Heavy traffic, sitting at stoplights, looking for a o Don’t rush. Give yourself time to get where you’re parking space or even waiting for passengers going; you’re less likely to become impatient and can increase a driver’s anger level. take unnecessary risks. RUNNING LATE o Cool off. If you’re upset, take time to calm down. o Running behind for a meeting or appointment o Be aware and anticipate. If you expect can cause drivers to be impatient. something to happen you can sometimes resolve the issue before it occurs. ANONYMITY o If drivers feel that they probably won’t see WHAT TO REMEMBER WHEN DRIVING other drivers again, they may feel more o Give other drivers a break. If someone is driving comfortable engaging in risky driving slowly, keep in mind they might be lost. behaviors like tailgating, cutting people off, o Use hand gestures wisely. Keep gestures positive - excessive honking or making rude gestures. say, waving to a driver who lets you in when merging. o If the motoring public report these road o Don’t tailgate. Always keep a safe distance from rage incidents to our SEPI office, disciplinary the car in front, no matter how slowly they might measures could be taken with the employee. be driving. DISREGARD FOR OTHERS AND THE LAW o Lay off the horn. Honking out of frustration won’t o Some drivers may think the rules don’t apply solve any problems; it will just increase the stress to them. level for everyone on the road. HABITUAL OR LEARNED BEHAVIOR o Don’t stop to confront another driver. Stopping o For some drivers, aggressive driving may be could lead to a dangerous situation for everyone. the norm. IF ANOTHER DRIVER ACTS AGGRESSIVELY INFORMATION PROVIDED BY o Stay away. Safely change lanes, gradually slow GEICO.COM down or even exit the highway to keep a safe distance from the aggressive driver. MOST COMMON FORMS o Don’t reciprocate. Ignore the temptation to respond to the other driver; it could cause the OF ROAD RAGE situation to escalate. Don’t make eye contact. o Tailgating o Don’t stop. Stopping could lead to a person-to- o Yelling person confrontation, which could be dangerous. o Honking in anger o Watch your back. If you’re worried that the other o Making angry gestures driver is following you, keep your doors locked o Trying to block another and drive to the nearest police station. vehicle from changing lanes o Cutting off another vehicle on purpose o Getting out of the vehicle to confront another driver o Bumping or ramming another vehicle on purpose FOR MORE DETAILS ON OUR SUMMER SAFETY CAMPAIGN PLEASE VISIT SEPIINC.COM COMMUNICATION.