PCPD work toward reducing aggressive driving

The Ponca City Police Department continues to work toward reducing aggressive driving in Ponca City.

Through a competitive grant process, the PCPD has received funds from the Oklahoma Highway Office to put patrol officers on the street to target those aggressive drivers. These funds have been distributed to from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Patrol Captain Earl Watkins offers some tips to prevent other drivers from becoming aggressive:

• Be a courteous driver and do not drive aggressively yourself.

• Give other drivers the benefit of the doubt. Do not take their driving mistakes personally.

• Leave yourself plenty of room when merging or changing lanes so that you do not cut another driver off. If you accidentally cut someone off, give the driver an apologetic wave. If someone cuts you off, slow down and give them room to merge.

• Travel in the right lane and use the left lane for passing. Driving too slowly in the left lane may anger other drivers and prompt them to drive aggressively.

• Do not tailgate— follow another driver closely — even if you feel the other car is moving too slowly . If another car is following you too closely, signal and pull over to allow them to pass.

• Use your turn signal every time you merge or change lanes .

• Avoid using gestures that can anger another driver.

• Use your horn sparingly .