Putting the Brakes on Road Rage

If you spend much time in your car, you've probably felt your temper slipping as other drivers steal your lane, blast their horns or flash their lights.

You've probably controlled your anger but not everyone does. Every year, senseless traffic disputes end in death or serious injury for at least 1,500 men, women and children, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.

Enraged drivers shoot, stab and run down hapless motorists who drive too slow, make obscene gestures or play radios too loud. In Seattle, a 21-year-old college student died from gunshots because he couldn't disarm the blaring anti-theft alarm in his Jeep. What's more, the AAA Foundation calculates that violent traffic incidents have risen 7 percent a year since 1990.

"There's more congestion, and there seems to be a growing impatience, with people under a lot of stress, and people act it out in their cars," explains Stephanie Faul, the foundation's communications director.

While the numbers are rising, "I don't think this is a new phenomenon," says Baltimore psychiatrist John R. Lion, M.D. "It's been around as long as the car has. Maybe the denseness of traffic makes it worse."

The people who lose their tempers on the road are usually men, usually young and usually insecure, Dr. Lion says. "Typically they're people with short fuses." Still, hundreds of average men and women have also snapped on the highways.

How do you avoid road rage either as victim or villain? Follow the golden rule, suggests Ms. Faul: "Behave as if you know all the people in all the other cars."

If another motorist makes you angry, back off. If you get angry a lot on the road, alter your routine: Change your schedule to avoid rush hours or use mass transit. Even if you can control your stress on the road, you should realize that some other drivers can't. And if you become the target of another motorist? "Drop back," says Dr. Lion. "The worst thing you can do is challenge them."

Highway, Safe Way

To avoid danger on the road, the National Safety Council and the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety suggest you:

Know and avoid triggers that can set off aggressive drivers:

• Use your turn signals.

• Don't cut drivers off.

• Don't drive too slowly in the left lane.

• Don't tailgate.

• Avoid needless horn use.

• Don't blare your radio.

• Follow all rules of the road.

Watch for signs of an aggressive driver:

• Tailgating.

• Flashing headlights.

• Obscene gestures.

• Deliberately obstructing other cars.

• Verbal abuse.

Don't get pulled into the "game" with aggressive drivers:

• Create space between your car and theirs.

• Avoid eye contact.

• Stay calm.

Don't let the actions of an irrational driver dictate your behavior: Your response might escalate the confrontation.

Ask yourself it it's worth your life and the lives of your passengers to teach a bad driver a lesson.

If you have a cellular phone, call police if you fear for your safety or that of others.

If the other motorist persists, don't solve it on the side of the road. Don't stop until you reach a public place where witnesses are available.

Don't drive home if someone's following you.