She heard the horn, saw the fist and wondered what the heck she had done to so enrage a complete stranger. Did she cut him off? Drive too slowly? Maybe he just didn't like the color of her mini-van. Whatever it was, he wanted her to know--in no uncertain terms--just how horrible a transgression she had committed.

Road rage. It's hard to understand, yet it happens to everyone. In fact, you may be a victim and not even know it--or a victim and perpetrator, all wrapped up in one big bundle of frazzled nerves. Have you ever rolled down your car window and gestured angrily at another driver, or perhaps a pedestrian? Ever been tailgated by someone mad at you for cutting them off?

If so, you're familiar with road rage. And you're not alone: millions of incidents occur every year in the United States; since 1990, traffic incidents involving violence has increased 7 percent a year.

Here's what you can do to keep your cool: