My last two blog posts discussed my pet peeves with other drivers as a result of my frustrations from driving this rental vehicle across the country instead of one of the Ford cars the company had on the lot. But luckily, I’m not one of those types of people who have ever been the victim or the aggressor in a road rage situation. Although you can’t make others control their anger, there are some things you can do to make yourself less angry on the roads.

1. Get enough sleep. Being drowsy and driving does not mix. In addition to being dangerous, it also makes you more irritable and less patient with other drivers.

2. Know where you’re going. Few things make you as impatient and irritable as trying to find something you can’t find. Plan your route before you leave to save yourself from getting angry at other driers.

3. Respect other drivers. Many road rage cases occur because a driver thinks the road was built only for them. But if you think of the road more as something we share, you’ll be more courteous and patient with others.

4. Stay calm. Everybody makes mistakes, but road rage typically occurs when one driver gets mad and takes it to the next level. If someone makes a mistake, let it go. In a few seconds, you won’t even remember it.

5. Be observant. When you know what’s around you, you can adapt to the situation and avoid getting mad or making others mad. Just know how many cars are around you at all times and look ahead for potential hazards.

Follow these suggestions and we can all enjoy safer roads so we can make it home to our families every night.