The Geneva Police Department and the Illinois State Police have a simple message for drivers when it comes to road rage: Don’t engage.

Earlier this year, the Illinois State Police launched an educational, public awareness campaign focused on reducing incidents involving road rage that lead to violence. Geneva Police reached out to partner with Illinois State Police following two isolated responses this spring.

On May 7, a 40-year-old Geneva man was arrested and charged with two counts of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and one count of aggravated assault using a deadly weapon. The man approached two people after a driver failed to obey a stop sign near the parking lot for Ulta, 150 S. Randall Road.

A week later, a 23-year-old Batavia man allegedly cut off another driver on Kirk Road near Averill Road. Following a short verbal altercation, the Batavia man allegedly pointed a gun at the other driver. He was charged with two counts of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and two counts of aggravated assault using a deadly weapon.

“The Geneva Police Department is fortunate to partner with the Illinois State Police in addressing this important topic,” said Geneva Police Chief Eric Passarelli. “There has been a notable increase in aggressive driving in our community. Unfortunately, some of these incidents have escalated to motorists being threatened with a firearm.”

According to an AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety study, when drivers explained why they became violent, the reasons were often trivial, such as the other driver wouldn’t let them pass or they kept tailgating. Almost 80% of drivers reported aggressive behaviors while driving, including speeding and following other vehicles too closely. Road rage is anger and frustration caused by the stress of driving in a motor vehicle.

Some of the most common signs of road rage and aggressive driving are following too closely or tailgating; improper or erratic lane changes; illegally driving on the shoulder, ditch or median; passing where prohibited; failure to yield the right-of-way; ignoring traffic laws, signs, and devices; failure to yield to emergency personnel and construction zone speed limits; failure to signal; speeding; and making an improper turn.

The Illinois State Police campaign encourages people to follow these important safety tips to avoid being the victim of road rage:

• If you are in the left lane and someone wants to pass, safely move to the right lane;
• When merging, make sure you have plenty of room and use your turn signal;
• If someone cuts you off, slow down and give them room to merge into your lane;
• Safely change lanes if a speeding driver is tailgating your vehicle;
• Making gestures might anger the other driver; create distance and avoid confrontation;
• Do not make eye contact if another driver is acting angry;
• Call 911 for police assistance if you are involved in a road rage incident; and
• Try your best not to lose your temper, it might save your life.

Illinois State Police Director Brendan F. Kelly welcomed the partnership with Geneva Police.

“The consequences of aggressive driving are no longer just yelling and obscene gestures, but potentially looking down the barrel of a gun,” he said.

For more information about the “Road Rage, Don’t Engage” safety campaign, visit the Illinois State Police website.