KEEP cool behind the wheel is the message from road safety experts after two alleged “road rage” incidents in the conurbation during the hot weather.

A 36-year-old lorry driver from Poole suffered a broken nose after an altercation with another motorist on Wednesday.

Police Constable James Howes of Poole police said the dispute between the lorry driver and a man driving a white Mercedes Sprinter van began in Westbourne, ending in a confrontation in Lindsay Road in Poole at around 4.30pm.

The 35-year-old van driver from Wimborne was arrested and has been released on police bail while enquiries continue.

And on Monday police arrested a 42-year-old man from Bournemouth on suspicion of a public order offence following another alleged road rage row.

It involved a 28-year-old Bournemouth man in a red Volkswagen Golf and the 42-year-old in a white Renault Clio.

The pair stopped traffic for a “verbal exchange” at Castle Lane West, near Castlepoint, at around 8.45am.

Police are appealing for witnesses to both incidents, or anyone who saw the manner of driving leading up to them, to get in touch on 01202 222222.

Commenting on the issue of road rage, Andrew Howard, head of road safety at the AA, said hot weather was regularly associated with violence.

“We know it makes you uncomfortable and angry,” he added.

He advised people not to be “a road safety vigilante”.

“Don’t react, don’t remonstrate, don’t make eye contact.

“If you really get worried someone is following you because they want to beat the hell out of you, pull into a garage where they usually have CCTV.

“Also remember you have locks on your doors.”

He also advised people to “think the best” of other drivers in potentially frustrating situations.

“For example quite a lot of people approaching down the outside lane skipping 30 places in the traffic queue simply don’t know they’re in the wrong lane – particularly in a place like Poole where so many people are on holiday,” he added.