Back in 1995, the American Automobile Association (AAA) conducted a survey, the results of which showed that 90 percent of drivers claimed to have either been the victim of road rage or had witnessed a road rage incident.

Nearly two decades later, with society’s own pace increasing speed every day, it’s unlikely things have changed much.

Read on for tips on how to deal with dangerous road rage.

1. Plan ahead.

Pinpoint your road rage triggers, and then create a plan to avoid them.

For example, if high volumes of traffic cause your road rage, try leaving earlier (or later, if you can) to miss the congested streets. If it’s lack of sleep or hunger that gets your blood pressure rising, start clocking more snooze hours or make sure you’re getting three squares (or at least a snack before you start driving).

2. Change your plans.

If there’s no way you can avoid the traffic on your current path, try changing your route. Spend a Saturday morning looking for an alternate course or two to your school or work, get familiar with the directions, and then give one a try on Monday morning. If it doesn’t work, try the next one on Tuesday.

3. Bring a buddy.

Ask a good friend, classmate, or co-worker to ride shotgun. Having someone to talk to can help keep your mind off your road rage triggers.

4. Breathe.

Taking deep breaths to calm down is one of the oldest pieces of advice around – because it works. The next time you’re sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic, put your car in park, close your eyes, and take a few deep breaths until you feel yourself begin to calm down.

5. Go to your happy place.

Whether you need to close your eyes and pretend you’re at the beach (with the car in park, of course!), or crank up the radio and belt out a tune worthy of American Idol, do whatever it is you need to do to take your mind off the road rage triggers.

6. Don’t be so self-centered.

Many people develop road rage when another driver “tailgates” them, speeds up to pass them, cuts them off, or drives too slowly in front of them.

If any of these happen to you, try to understand the other driver’s behavior most likely isn’t related to you. He might be late for work or on his way to a funeral. You could be behind a teenage driver who just got her license or a senior whose reflexes aren’t what they used to be. Whatever the scenario, understand the other driver’s behavior probably isn’t an attack on you.

7. Slurp down a nice big dose of reality.

If you give in to your road rage, what will you do? Scream and yell? Driver faster? Ride another vehicle’s bumper? Cut someone off? Follow another driver until he pulls over?

And then what?

Most states’ safety laws don’t take too kindly to that kind of behavior, and any of those actions could get you a costly ticket, make you miss a day of work for court, land you in jail, or even harm yourself of another person – none of which seems very satisfying in light of the consequences and all that could affect not only you, but also your family and friends.

8. Pull over.

If something happens to trigger your road rage and you just can’t seem to shake the anger, pull over. Stop on the side of the road to take a few deep breaths or find the nearest Starbucks to have a nice cup of decaf. Maybe there’s a mall near by you can walk around until you feel composed again.

9. Seek help.

Whether it’s a defensive driving course or an actual therapy session, considering seeking some sort of help to learn to better manage your emotions behind the wheel of a vehicle.

10. Take the bus.

When all else fails, get a bus pass or hail a taxi. Your road rage triggers might still be present, but at least you won’t be in control of the vehicle.