Keep it cool while driving this summer Published May 5, 2010 By Regina Coffey AFFTC/SEG EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Even under the best conditions, driving is stressful. Experienced drivers develop coping mechanisms for their everyday driving errors, but there's always the possibility of a major accident lurking around the bend. Drivers bear the responsibility of keeping passengers safe while travelling. With all of the stresses placed on drivers, it is easy to see why some may be especially anxious or defensive. If another driver does something wrong or reckless, the result can be the explosive and uncontrolled reaction we recognize as road rage. One of the main concerns during a road-rage incident is escalation. If a driver cuts off another driver at an intersection, for example, the offended driver may shout expletives or blow his or her horn excessively. At the point of offense, road rage could be avoided if the angry driver stays calm and accepts the incident as a minor disturbance. Instead, he or she may become even more outraged and decide to punish the other driver. When road rage escalates, a person's driving may become more erratic and reckless. Anger and frustration can temporarily override good judgment, and the driver is consumed with notions of vengeance or payback. Some extreme cases of road rage end with vehicular homicide, assault with a weapon or other physical assaults. One of the best ways of avoiding road rage is to ratchet down aggressive maneuvers while driving. Passing a slow-moving vehicle safely is one thing, but tailgating followed by an abrupt lane change, and increased speed, is a form of road rage. As a rule of thumb, drivers should avoid getting on the road while in a highly emotional state. Laws concerning road rage vary from state to state. Many drivers who succumb to road rage can only be charged with minor traffic violations such as failure to signal or speeding. Depending on the events, some may be charged with more serious offenses such as reckless or aggressive driving. If there was damage to the other driver's vehicle or property, a civil suit could also be filed. Some states can actually charge a driver with the crime of road rage, although in extreme cases the charges might be vehicular homicide or attempted murder with a vehicle. Since road rage can be a short-lived event, the driver may not show signs of emotional impairment at the time of arrest. The best way to deal with road rage is to recognize levels of anger and take steps to cool down before resuming the trip. Just stopping the car for a few minutes may be enough to prevent escalation. Some driving experts also suggest keeping a laminated sign reading SORRY on hand for occasional driving errors. Some recovering road ragers say that a simple apology or recognition of fault at the time of the original incident would have been enough to prevent violent escalation. Considering the number of deaths and injuries caused by road rage incidents every year, a simple sign of apology may be a good way to save lives and protect property.