Road rage: Your instinct is right. It is getting worse
If you feel like you're seeing more angry, aggressive drivers lately, you're not alone. The state highway patrol is getting more calls about road rage incidents.
There are some things you can do to help you avoid them.
Traffic congestion is a big part of the problem. As the state grows, more and more cars are on the roads – that's especially true during summer travel season and on a busy holiday weekend.
First Sergeant Mike Baker is the spokesman for the State Highway Patrol. He says two of the most frequent causes of road rage encounters are slow drivers who block the passing lane and distracted drivers who aren't paying attention to the road.
Baker says if you find yourself caught up in a situation with a raging driver, don't engage with that person. Just let them go on their way. And don't try to take the law into your own hands.
"We just encourage motorists to use good patience, good judgment," Baker said. "In the event that they become a victim of a road rage situation, they can feel free to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, into a gas station or an adjacent parking lot.
"Just don't get wrapped up in the situation itself by trying to react to the person who is causing that road rage incident."
Baker says other steps you can take include avoiding tailgating, leaving plenty of room between your car and the one in front of you, and avoid cutting off other drivers.
If you do get into a road rage encounter and it turns physically threatening or there's a weapon involved, Baker said, call 911 or star HP to get law enforcement on the scene.
