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@Schwaz
I am very much in the keep calm and be polite boat - ignoring people is often a good option. As others have noted, people who are driving poorly/acting aggressively or shouting are not being reasonable and I don't find sinking to their confrontational level is effective - nor do I think it improves the situation overall.
In the past I gave made wanker gestures and been abusive. In one case this prompted a driver to stop suddenly in a line of traffic ahead and then drive alongside me asking me to pull over so we could fight. When I refused and apologised for being rude (explaining that his too-close overtake had been what had provoked me) he somewhat ran out of steam and recommended I not do it in the future as 'someone might stab you'. Reflecting on the experience, I didn't feel that my retaliatory behavior had helped the situation so resolved to not lower myself in the future.
Nowadays I point at parked cars or other hazards I might be avoiding, smile at people if I can make eye contact and as often just do not react when someone wrong-headedly honks or abuses me for my choice of position. I find it a better policy than getting dragged into being abusive.