AAA Minnesota/Iowa President Says, 'Calm Down'

Guest Editorial by: Jeff Ogden, president of AAA Minnesota/Iowa

BURNSVILLE, Minn., Sept. 9 -- It seems as if everyone has their own road rage incident to share whether they were mere spectators or participants. Studies have found that men and women of all ages can drive aggressively if they are in a bad mood or perceive a wrong being done to them. So, how can you avoid being the victim of road rage or even participating in road rage? There are three guiding principles.

First, a few specific behaviors, more than others, seem to enrage and offend other drivers. Cutting people off by not using your turn signal or not allowing enough room during a merge leads the list. Driving slowly in the left lane and inhibiting other cars' ability to pass is also a top irritant. Even if you are driving the speed limit, many states require you to drive in the right lane unless passing. Furthermore, it is a simple courtesy to move over and let another driver pass whether you think they are going too fast or not. That is for law enforcement to determine -- do not be a vigilante. Tailgating is another obvious act, which causes other drivers to become enraged. Additionally, gestures, whether obscene or the "harmless" shaking of your head, can cause others to become offended.

Second, one angry driver cannot participate in road rage by themselves if you do not engage in their bad behavior. If another driver is aggressive, steer clear of them and give them the room they need to go on their way. Avoid eye contact, which can turn an impersonal encounter into a personal competition. Get help from law enforcement by driving to the nearest police station or pulling off the road and calling 911. However, do not get out of your car and do not go home.

Third, adjust your attitude while driving. Remember, driving is a responsibility and not a competition, so forget about "winning." Put yourself in the other driver's shoes. They may be rushing to an emergency or having a really bad day. Cut them some slack, stay cool and do not take the other driver's action personally. Lastly, if you think you have an anger problem, get help. Take an anger management class or read a self-help book. Being angry in an automobile is just about the deadliest thing you can do. So, calm down and live to drive another day.

Jeff Ogden is the president of AAA Minnesota/Iowa, which includes more than 720,000 members, offers automotive, travel, insurance and financial services. It is part of The Auto Club Group (ACG), the largest affiliation of AAA clubs in the Midwest, with 4.1 million members in eight states. ACG clubs belong to the national AAA federation, a not-for-profit organization, with more than 46 million members in the United States and Canada.