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TYLER, Texas (KLTV) - A quick google search reveals that Texas is in the top ten states for road rage incidents over the past decade.

Prior to the past two years or so, the argument could have been made that road rage was somewhat isolated in the larger cities of the Lone Star state. But recently, no google search is needed to see that drivers in Texas and yes, even in East Texas are at the end of their patience.

And with school about to be out, traffic patterns and flow are about to be disrupted again. Throw on top of that numerous construction projects and it doesn’t matter what city you live in in East Texas you are seeing more and more traffic backups. And sitting through multiple traffic light cycles and filled left turn lanes become lit fuses for many.

This is when we as Texans must step back and dig deep for patience and courtesy when we encounter local traffic choke points. Usually, we know where they are and when they are so show that extra patience. It is also a time that municipalities need to be vigilant in planning road construction projects.

Our governments and their agencies must plan out the timing of the projects like never before and then they need to consider nighttime work shifts, tighter, less disruptive detours and other strategies to minimize driver disruption – ultimately lowering stress points.

We’ve been through it all in Texas and road rage incidents are a statistical measure we don’t want to be leaders in – and that will make for a Better East Texas.