If you've never experienced road rage you can't imagine how scary it can be. I hope it never happens to you, but if it does I hope this article will help you be prepared to protect yourself.

When you think you are being followed by a road rager don't stop. You want to avoid an encounter with that person, expecting it's going to be an irrational exchange, and possibly dangerous to you. To figure out if you are being followed, take several evasive turns, staying on well-traveled roads for better safety.

For example, change lanes several times and see if the person you think is raging changes lanes with you. Make a safe, quick u-turn without signaling your intentions. Or, turn across traffic into a gas station with the idea of continuing the opposite direction -- again without signalling your intentions.

If the person sticks with you, call 911 and tell them what is happening; be sure to offer complete descriptions of your location, direction of travel, and both cars involved, as well as your name and number. Use your phone's camera to take a picture of the car getting the car license plate and driver in the pictures. Look for a police officer and flag them down. Keep moving, informing dispatch of your location and direction of travel at all times.

Keep your cool during this kind of situation, and don't drive carelessly in an effort to get away from the situation. Avoid interacting with the rager. Stay in your car. And stay on main roads/streets for better protection.