Road rage consists of a wide variety of driver’s aggressive acts taken out on other drivers. Some include speeding, tailgating, flashing headlights, yelling at other drivers, running stop signs or traffic lights, passing on the right, and weaving in and out of traffic. However, according to a study published by the American Automobile Association (AAA) in 1997, 37% of road rage drivers used firearms against another driver, 28% used other weapons, and 35% used their car as a weapon against another driver. And the numbers continue to increase.

Studies point not only to traffic congestion, but also to longer commutes to and from work, and an overall increase in the daily stresses and intricacies of living in today’s world as reasons for the increase.

Traffic on the Turnpike is progressively growing from year to year. More and more commuters count on the Turnpike to get to work each day. Accidents, high-volume vacation traffic and other less experienced Turnpike drivers can fuel the tempers of drivers who spend a lot of time on the road.

Steve Barber, Director of Safety and Operations for the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission says, "Turnpike employees who are consistently on the road, as well as Turnpike customers, regularly phone in reports of drivers following too close, tailgating, and weaving in and out of traffic. State Police are often dispatched to check out erratic driving along the Turnpike due to calls made by customers."

Merging drivers approaching the toll plaza, acceleration and deceleration ramps of the Turnpike, as well as service plazas can set the scene for near misses and possible altercations. This is especially true during peak driving times and during morning and afternoon rush hours.

As road rage escalates, the psychology of driving offers some reasons for and even some ways to combat this latest social problem. People who easily succumb to the stress and pressures of everyday life are taking out their aggressions on the road. The anonymity of a safe, protected car allows drivers from all walks of life to take out their aggression on the guy traveling at 50 M.P.H. in the fast lane.

There is no formal profile of the typical road rage driver. Gender, age, race, and economic situation do not factor into the road rage equation. Once behind the wheel, drivers feel a certain sense of security. There is a certain sense of power and an enormous sense of personal space and safety we obtain from driving a car.

Americans have a love affair with the automobile. Since the first Fords rolled off the assembly line a sense of prestige and security has been drawn from car ownership. Through society, films, and television Americans learn from a very young age that freedom comes from sitting behind the wheel of a car. The sense of freedom, security, and power which comes from being an anonymous driver in an equally anonymous crowd is what fuels the fire of road rage. These feelings allow some to justify their aggressive acts and behaviors toward other drivers.

The good news is that these feelings and behaviors are basically learned. As a result, tendencies away from acts of road rage can also be learned. Many states are now exploring and adopting programs in order to combat road rage.

The best ways to personally can combat road rage? Counter overall stress, anxiety, frustration and tension on a daily basis. Falling short of that sometimes unattainable goal, take specific precautions before getting into a car and driving.

Valerie Peterson, Public Relations Specialist at AAA in Pittsburgh says, " Give yourself enough time to get where you are going first of all." She suggests trying to lessen stress while driving by making your car as comfortable as you can, adjusting the mirrors and your seat before you begin driving.

According to Valerie, avoiding incidents of road rage "Is basically an issue of common sense and courtesy: be polite and courteous to other drivers." She stresses how important it is to be patient and keep your cool in traffic. Try to use your horn infrequently. Use your turn signal when changing lanes, do not block the passing lane, and do not tailgate. Avoid unnecessary use of high beams. And when parking your car, do not take up two spaces, or use a disabled space.

Valerie contends, "What we’re seeing in road rage statistics is just the tip of the iceberg. Unless there is an injury or an accident, road rage goes unreported.