Don't Flip the Bird: Shaker Heights Police Ask Drives to Quell Road Rage

SHAKER HEIGHTS, OH - Police are urging you to reconsider flipping the bird at that guy that cut you off. Why? Because road rage has led to serious accident and criminal incidents in Shaker Heights and surrounding cities.

Officers want to prevent the escalation of road rage incidents, so they're providing some tips to drivers (and they're not all "don't flash your middle finger at people").

• Admit when you did something wrong. It's hard to be self-reflective when a horn is blaring in your ear, but it's important to note when you made a mistake driving. Try a smile or a quick wave to apologize. That half a second you spend saying sorry could keep someone from losing their mind.
• Don't brake check people. Even if the person is tailgating, slamming on your brakes isn't worth it. If you can, let those cars go by.
• Don't get caught in driving competitions. If someone is driving recklessly, give them space. It's not worth risking the accident.
• Only use your horn when you have to.
• Follow all posted laws. That's common sense.
• If someone is driving recklessly, try to note their license plate and the make and model of their car.
• If you feel like someone is following you on the road, don't stop. Drive to the nearest police station or call 911.

"We might not be able to control the roadway traffic or other driver’s behavior, but we can certainly control our own behavior," the department said on Facebook. "Observe the golden rule and be courteous and calm even if other people create dangerous situations."

If you're wondering how bad a road rage incident can get, a Solon followed a woman off of US 422 and punched her repeatedly in the face.

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