Road rage is all too prevalent in South Florida. And while you might not be an aggressive driver, chances are someone near you is. In fact, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, almost 80 percent of all drivers admit to having road rage. A collision or confrontation caused by an aggressive driver can be deadly. Do not be a victim; check out these seven ways to avoid road rage behind the wheel:

How to Avoid Road Rage Behind the Wheel 

To keep yourself and your family safe on the roads, remember these tips to END RAGE:

1) E: Be empathetic. Rather than reacting to an aggressive driver with anger, remember that the driver could be dealing with something. That does not give him/her the right to drive recklessly; however, remembering this could prevent you from engaging in dangerous or aggressive behaviors of your own.

If you are worried that the driver is truly a danger to others, report him/her by calling 911. (Remember to do this safely. Either have a passenger report the driver or pull over. Do not follow the driver to get his/her information. You could be involved in an altercation or cause an accident.)

2) N: Never tailgate. It can frighten a person and make him/her more likely to behave aggressively. Instead, always remain three to four car lengths back (sometimes more in bad weather).

3) D: Keep your distance. The safest thing you can do if you notice an aggressive driver is to stay as far away as possible. Change lanes (safely, of course) or pull over to allow the driver to pass you.

4) R: Do not respond. In many cases, an aggressive driver is simply waiting for another driver to respond to his/her actions. Instead, just focus on the road. Responding to the driver could lead to a serious accident or deadly confrontation.

5) A: Pay attention and drive cautiously. This will help you keep you safe all around. It prevents you from causing other drivers to behave aggressively and allows you to see aggressive drivers before they cause a collision.

6) G: Do not gesture or yell at other drivers. It is natural to want to yell or gesture at drivers who cut you off or lay on their horn in an attempt to get you to speed, but this distracts you from driving and can cause the driver (or you) to act more aggressively.

7) E: If another driver appears to be angry, do not interact with him/her. Avoid eye contact, and do not get out of your car to confront the driver. Instead, focus on the road and getting to your destination safely.

Road rage is a dangerous reality on South Florida roads. Just because it is common does not mean it is acceptable. If you have been injured in an accident caused by an aggressive driver, the car accident attorneys at Montero Law Center can help.

Call us at 954-767-6500 today to schedule a free consultation.