With increased traffic, tighter deadlines, and shorter fuses, many drivers lose their temper on the roads. With aggressive behavior on the road increasing every year in the United States, it’s important for drivers to know how to deal with the phenomenon. All drivers should know how to steer clear of angry drivers as well as know how to prevent road rage in themselves. Follow these tips for the best way to stay safe on the roads. If you’re the one with road rage: Leave plenty of time for your journey. Road rage is caused by anxiety, and one of the main triggers of this is being late. Always leave enough time to get to your appointment or work so that there is no pressure to drive fast or badly. Be forgiving of others. Have you ever made a mistake at the wheel of your car? Of course you have. It’s all part of driving. Cut others some slack and don’t get irritated from someone making an honest mistake. It’s nothing personal. The driver ahead who is going 20mph in a 30 zone is most likely looking for an address. The person who is driving too close behind you could be rushing to make a potentially life-changing meeting. Neither has anything against you personally. If you’re the victim of road rage: Don’t retaliate. If you find yourself being subjected to road rage by another driver, ignore them and don’t make eye contact or react in a way that they can see. Pull over. If someone is driving aggressively behind you, find a safe place to pull over and let them go. It’ll add seconds to your journey, but it may save you from being involved in an accident or nasty confrontation. Acknowledge your mistake. It’s easy for others on the road to take our mistakes the wrong way. Acknowledge your mistake with a wave of the hand to let others know that you admit the error and apologize for it. If you feel yourself getting upset or emotional, pull over and get some fresh air. After all, getting angry or upset won’t help you when talking to the police or filing an auto insurance claim. Stay safe on the roads. Call Tompkins Insurance Agencies for assistance in selecting the right auto insurance policy.