Road rage? Officials warn drivers to 'Let it go'

WASILLA -- Responding in kind to road rage is a lose/lose proposition.

Someone cuts you off in traffic, or makes a rude gesture to you and the impulse to get even can become overwhelming.

Wasilla Police Chief Don Savage advises that you just let it go.

"It's hard not to respond in kind," said Savage Wednesday. "But the best advice is not to escalate the incident."

A Tuesday incident in Wasilla illustrated the need for drivers to maintain a cool head when dealing with other people's anger, whether it is behind the wheel, or even at the gas pump.

According to police reports, Dean Kambarn, 57, of Wasilla pulled up to a gas pump at Wasilla Chevron on Thursday, Dec. 5, to find himself angrily confronted by Galen Davis, 60, of Wasilla, who accused Kambarn of stealing his place at the pump. When Davis became threatening, Kambarn went into the station and called 911.

According to Savage, that was the right action to take. Whether on the road or, as in this case, pulling up to a gas pump, Savage advises motorists not to become embroiled in the conflict.

"When you are driving, maintain a reasonable position, drive defensively and reasonably, and report the incident," said Savage.

When asked about the frequency of road rage reports received by the police, Savage said it is hard to quantify. He said the frequency of complaints has increased with the use of cellular telephones by drivers.

"We get a lot of driving complaint reports, and my gut feeling is that a fair number of those are probably based on roadway incidents of aggressive driving," Savage said.

Police often receive the complaints as Report Every Drunk Driver Immediately (REDDI) reports, reckless driving complaints and as complaints about rude or occasionally threatening gestures on the part of the other driver.

Savage advises drivers to get out of the conflict situation and then report the location of the event, the nature of the event, the license plate number of the other car, and contact information for the driver reporting the event.

When police witness the driving behavior themselves, or can verify the information with reliable witness reports, it may be possible for them to take enforcement action.

Dave Decker, M.A.,L.P., advises drivers to avoid taking traffic problems and other drivers' behavior as challenges or personal affronts.

In his article "Protecting Yourself from Road Rage," Decker suggests that drivers get out of the other person's way as quickly as possible without engaging by looking at the other driver or responding to their provocative behavior.

Decker's article addresses sources of anger and ways in which drivers can deal with their own anger as well as with the aggressive behavior of other drivers on the Anger Resources Web site at http://www.angeresources.com/roadrage.html.