How to deal with road rage

DUE to the increased number of road rage incidents, with some being fatal, Kempton police have issued tips on how to deal with similar incidents.

According to Capt Jethro Mtshali, spokesperson for the police, quite a number of cases relating to road user violence have been reported to the station.

Here are a few tips on how to deal with aggressive drivers as well as helpful hints to reduce stress while driving:

• Protect yourself if you are dealing with an aggressive driver; make sure your vehicle doors are locked.

• If you are stuck in traffic, always leave enough room to pull out from behind the vehicle you are following.

• If another motorist insults you, do not take it personally; be polite and courteous by ending a conflict if the other driver is not ending it.

• Avoid conflicts, if the other driver challenges you then take a deep breath and move out of the way.

• Never underestimate the other drivers’ capability of causing harm to you.

Also read:

• Murder charge against pilot in road rage incident withdrawn

• Motorist witnesses road rage after minor accident

• Terenure man assaulted in road rage incident

With the busy lives we live and spending the whole day at work then only to drive through hours of traffic every day, makes us more vulnerable to high stress levels. This can also lead to being easily agitated and emotional.

• Reduce your own stress by understanding that you cannot control traffic, only your reaction to it.

• In the end, you may find personal frustrations causing anger and impatience causing real danger to you and other road users.

• Always control your anger.

• Avoid making eye contact with aggressive drivers.

• Do not tailgate.

• Do not block other vehicles.

• Do not entertain provocation.

• Stay away from erratic drivers.

• Do not flash your head lights.

Remember, walking away is always a better option than violence, because you will stand a chance of making it home safely at the end of the day.