Let’s talk about how to de-escalate when in the driver’s seat

I see all these posts complaining about bad drivers, as if somehow bad drivers will read these posts and decide to just be better.

Instead, let’s see if we can agree on ways to effectively keep things from getting out of hand.

What are some actions YOU have found to be effective at reducing accidents, congestion, and road rage?

I’ll start – when I see someone trying to merge, let them. I get the impression most people think they’re giving up a spot in line. Rather, recognize that the person trying to get in front of you will eventually move into another spot, and no longer be ‘your problem.’ Better yet, drive with enough space such that people can easily squeeze in. It’ll mean perhaps not having to slam on your breaks so frequently. And we all know what happens when people start slamming on their breaks in traffic, right?

Also, let’s not blindly downvote a suggestion here. If you have a problem with a particular de-escalation technique, explain your reasoning.