44 | Driver’s Manual red lights, pass stopped school buses, fail to keep  right, drive while impaired by alcohol or drugs  and drive in a reckless manner. Some aggressive  drivers try to cause harm to another driver, and  that is how aggressive driving becomes road rage. To prevent road rage, it is sometimes better  not to make eye contact with another driver. The  other driver can take this as being challenged. If you have the right-of-way, do not think of  it as a complete right. Be prepared to yield the  right-of-way to other highway users. To wait a few  seconds for another driver is far better than to risk  a crash. What is “road rage”? Road rage is an angry,  hostile state, which can increase into violent  criminal actions or attempts of violent action that  result from the operation of a motor vehicle. Road  rage can include behavior to provoke others or to  make them fearful. Aggressive driving is not road rage. Howev- er, aggressive driving can become road rage.  Aggressive driving generally involves the violation  of a traffic safety law, while road rage involves the  breaking of a criminal law. Who can become road raged? It could happen  to anyone when our irritation or anger with others  leads us to behavior that is a threat to ourselves  and to the safety and lives of others on and near  the road or highways. To endanger, threaten or  assault another person is illegal. These behaviors  can result in severe penalties that include fines,  imprisonment and court-ordered probation. They  can also result in revocation or suspension of a driver license. To avoid becoming an aggressive driver: ROAD RAGE When an aggressive driver confronts you: • Do not make eye contact. • Remain calm and relaxed.  • Try to move away safely.  • Do not challenge an aggressive driver with  increased speed or try to hold your position  in your travel lane. • Wear a seat belt and encourage your passengers to do the same.  • Ignore gestures and shouts and do not return them. • Do not drive when you are angry, upset or  very tired. • Make your vehicle comfortable. Listen to  relaxing music and prevent conditions that  make you anxious. • When you drive, relax and be aware of how  you sit. Sit back in your seat, loosen your hold on the steering wheel and do not grind  your teeth. • Be polite, courteous and forgiving to other drivers. • You can control how you react. If another  person drives aggressively, do not do the same. • Report aggressive drivers to law enforce- ment authorities and give a vehicle descrip- tion, location, vehicle plate number and  direction of travel. • If an aggressive driver is following you, do  not stop or get out of your vehicle. Drive to  the nearest police station.  • If an aggressive driver is involved in a crash,  stop a safe distance from the crash scene.  When the police arrive, report the driving  behavior you saw. • Allow enough travel time to reach your  destination on schedule. • Adjust your schedule to prevent driving  during times with the most highway traffic. • If you are late, call ahead so you can relax.