Road Rage Incident Triggers Tips For Horsham Motorists

HORSHAM TOWNSHIP, PA —With road rage calls a constant for police departments in Montgomery County and the region, Horsham ChATs has issued tips to protect motorists.

Horsham ChATs, the township's community policing organization, posted Tuesday about road rage tips in the wake of a road rage incident in nearby Abington last week.

A 21-year-old Philadelphia man is accused of shooting a Pepsi truck driver during what police described as a road rage incident last Wednesday at 1575 The Fairway in the Jenkintown section of Abington.

"Sadly, we have way too many calls for road rage in our area," Horsham ChATs said in its Facebook post on Tuesday morning. "While most are resolved with angry words or jesters and the parties separate, some escalate to property damage, physical violence, or even homicide."

The organization offered motorists some tips to avoid road rage:

Before You Get Behind The Wheel:

• Don’t rush. Give yourself time to get where you’re going; you’re less likely to become impatient and take unnecessary risks. Cool off. If you’re upset, take time to calm down.

What To Remember When Driving:

• Give other drivers a break —If someone is driving slowly, keep in mind they might be lost. Use hand gestures wisely.
• Keep gestures positive — Wave to a driver who lets you in when merging.
• Don’t tailgate —Always keep a safe distance from the car in front, no matter how slowly they might be driving.
• Lay off the horn —Honking out of frustration won’t solve any problems; it will just increase the stress level for everyone on the road.
• Don’t stop to confront another driver —Stopping could lead to a dangerous situation for everyone.

If Another Driver Acts Aggressively:

• Stay away —Safely change lanes, gradually slow down or even exit the highway to keep a safe distance from the aggressive driver. Call 9-1-1 and report the incident and follow the dispatcher's instructions.
• Don't reciprocate —Ignore the temptation to respond to the other driver; it could cause the situation to escalate.
• Don’t make eye contact.
• Don’t stop —Stopping could lead to a person-to-person confrontation, which could be dangerous.
• Watch your back —If you’re worried that the other driver is following you, keep your doors locked and drive to the nearest police station.