The Illinois State Police is ramping up efforts to combat road rage with an education campaign simply titled, "Road Rage. Don't Engage." According to the official press release, incidents of road rage have seen an uptick, prompting action from the ISP to increase public awareness and provide strategies to safely handle such situations.
ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly voiced concerns, stating, "Although road rage is nothing new, we’re seeing people react more aggressively and dangerously." He went on to stress the importance of not engaging with road ragers, emphasizing that no amount of time saved is worth a life.
Educational materials and a social media toolkit are also part of this campaign, with ISP Safety Education Officers slated to play a key role in informing the public on how to identify and respond to aggressive drivers. A study from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety was cited as evidence of the problem, highlighting that nearly 80% of drivers engaged in aggressive behaviors like speeding and tailgating, often for trivial reasons such as being denied the opportunity to pass.
The list of common signs associated with road rage outlined by ISP includes tailgating, erratic lane changes, and disregard for traffic laws, among others. Tips to avoid becoming a victim of road rage were provided, suggesting motorists give way when someone wants to pass and use turn signals when merging or changing lanes. "Making gestures might anger the other driver; create distance and avoid confrontation," the ISP advised. If faced with an aggressive driver, they recommend not to make eye contact and to call 911 if you believe you are being followed or harassed.
For more information on the subject and access to the campaign's social media materials, the public is directed to the ISP's dedicated road rage webpage.
