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We’ve all seen stories about road rage-induced accidents that result in auto insurance claims, and even worse, injuries or fatalities. Statistically, traffic incidents involving aggressive driving and/or violence have increased dramatically in recent years. Unfortunately, we all pay the price for others’ reckless driving— whether through the human cost of serious injury or through higher car insurance rates.

Think you’ve never committed an act of road rage? Have you ever blown through a stop sign because no one was around and you needed to get somewhere fast? Have you ever rolled down your car window to give another driver or a slow-moving pedestrian a piece of your mind? On a highway, have you ever tailgated another driver moving too slowly in the "fast lane" and flashed your lights? If so, then you are guilty of one of the millions of cases of road rage that occur every year in the U.S.

Why Is Everyone So Angry?
Goodwill does seem to be in increasingly short supply on our roads. One of the key factors in driving-induced stress is the high amount of traffic congestion. In many areas, population growth has outstripped road construction. This leaves more motorists on the roads in snail-pace traffic for longer periods of time. Studies show that this kind of frustrating congestion is the primary cause of aggressive driving.

After a long day at work and a commute that can run into hours, it's no wonder that people are losing their cool. Pressure leads people to unsafe driving, whether it’s weaving in traffic, speeding, or something else, which in turn, only serves to inspire other drivers' wrath. To reduce the stress that causes such incidents, you should:

1. Assume that another driver's mistakes are not directed at you.
2. Allow yourself plenty of time for your commute and avoid scheduling events at work or at home that may cause you to try and rush.
3. Listen to soothing music or a book on tape to make your commute more enjoyable.
4. Structure your commute to avoid rush-hour traffic.
5. Take a breather from driving by using public transportation at least once or twice a week if it's available to you.

Defensive Driving Is Courteous Driving
Though everyone who drives has probably heard about defensive driving, it’s equally important to drive courteously. By remembering the following, you can avoid getting into situations that jeopardize you and other drivers.

• Respect the speed limit. You may not get where you're going at all by going faster.
• Follow all traffic signs and indicators.
• Respect crosswalks.
• Allow others to pass you by moving to right lanes or even pulling over.
• Use your turn signal to indicate that you want to change lanes.
• Maintain plenty of space between your car and the vehicle ahead.
• Do not yell or make obscene gestures at other drivers or pedestrians.
• Use your horn and high beams sparingly.
• Observe posted parking regulations and use only one parking spot for your car.
• Be polite to other drivers even when they are not polite to you.
• Keep your cool in traffic incidents and accidents.

Safe Drivers Save Lives and Save on Their Car Insurance
Because it’s in all of our interest to promote safe driving, all of us here at Esurance hope to keep you informed about safety issues like road rage. You can learn more about driving safely and other car insurance-related issues by taking a look through more of our car insurance learning center.

Along with providing safety tips for you in our car insurance learning center, we reward safe driving with auto insurance discounts for good drivers. Find out if you’re eligible for a good driver discount, or for our other auto insurance discounts. If you haven’t already, see which auto insurance discounts might apply to you when you get your car insurance quote today.