ROAD RAGE SEMINAR AJAX AND PICKERING COMMUNITY POLICE OFFICE COMMUNITY RESOURCE UNIT

We have been in situations where we have been angry or frustrated on the highway as a result of some other drivers actions. This is a seminar designed to inform you of what road rage is and assist you in developing coping strategies

ROAD RAGE DEFINED : Acting out in anger while driving a motor vehicle

WHEN DOES ROAD RAGE OCCUR ? Road rage occurs when one driver provokes another driver by showing disregard for other drivers on the highway. Examples: tailgating, unnecessarily slow driving,cutting other motorists off the highway

KINDS OF OFFENCES COMMITTED AS A RESULT OF ROAD RAGE : Major and minor assaults, threatening, murder, dangerous driving,careless driving, other highway traffic act and criminal code offences

POLICE MUST TAKE ACTION WHEN AN OFFENCE HAS BEEN COMMITTED: Criminal code offences, whether or not they are committed out of frustration due to problems incurred on the highway must be investigated and appropriately dealt with. This may mean criminal charges, and convictions imposed by the criminal courts.

WHO ARE ROAD RAGE OFFENDERS ? Many are men between the ages of 18 and 26, but anyone can become aggressive if they allow the situation to occur and become provoked. Furthermore, allowing violence to take precedence over proper and safe driving ensures that other incidents such as motor vehicle collisions will occur, jeopardizing the safety of all other motorists.

COPING STRATEGIES: -- Relaxing music -- When planning your outing allow additional time to reach your location in the event of unexpected road incidents like construction and motor vehicle collisions

COPING STRATEGIES: -- Avoid the use of cell phones. Cell phones prevent us from having proper concentration on driving and may cause unsafe driving maneuvers. The use of cellular phones may also increase a sense of urgency to reach a destination in order to meet other demands.

HOW TO ENSURE YOU ARE NOT A VICTIM OF ROAD RAGE: The following actions have been consistently linked to the cause of road rage:

HOW TO ENSURE YOU ARE NOT A VICTIM OF ROAD RAGE: --CUTTING PEOPLE OFF: Always signal your intentions and ensure you have plenty of room to execute your move. If you accidentally cut someone off attempt an apology with an appropriate gesture. If you are cut off, keep in mind it was probably unintentional and allow the driver in and make space as to keep a safe following distance.

HOW TO ENSURE YOU ARE NOT A VICTIM OF ROAD RAGE: -- Drive appropriately in the left hand lane, Even if one is traveling at the speed limit, allow drivers who want to drive faster drive in the left lane. Avoid putting yourself in danger. Drivers may become hostile if slower motorists do not make way for those driving faster.

HOW TO ENSURE YOU ARE NOT A VICTIM OF ROAD RAGE: --TAILGATING: Don’t follow anyone too closely. Drivers become intimidated by drivers appearing to be too close behind them and may take aggressive action to make the other motorist aware of their discomfort to your proximity. Allow a safe following distance. ( Count to 3 one-thousandths). Drivers being tailgated should not slam on the brakes as an accident may occur, but allow the party to pass.

HOW TO ENSURE YOU ARE NOT A VICTIM OF ROAD RAGE: --GESTURES: Avoid making hostile gestures to other motorists when unhappy about the situation that has occurred. Gestures speak loudly to other motorists and may bring on other more aggressive actions. What may have been thought as a harmless gesture, done out of frustration may have been “the straw that broke the camels back”. (Horn honking, hand gestures)

DON’T ENGAGE: - - Don’t allow yourself to be antagonized into a fight with another driver. To have a fight it takes at least two. Never have to regret your actions. Avoid retaliation.

DON’T ENGAGE: -- STEER CLEAR. Let angry drivers pass you by. Don’t feed their anger. They may be angry and unsafe, but don’t allow yourself to be put in danger. Don’t pull off the road in an attempt to deal with the other driver.

DON’T ENGAGE: -- AVOID EYE CONTACT: Don’t engage in eye contact with an already angry driver. Staring at each other could make it personal and cause a duel.

CALL POLICE -- They are the proper authority to deal with a driver that is being aggressive or dangerous. Make note of the licence plate, vehicle and driver’s description. Don’t try to settle the score.

ADJUST YOUR ATTITUDE: -- FORGET WINNING: Driving is not a contest, nor is it a race. Allow additional time for your trip. Listen to relaxing music, try relaxation techniques.

PUT YOURSELF IN THE OTHER DRIVERS SHOES -- DON’T JUDGE THE OTHER DRIVER Instead try to think of why they are driving that way. While there is no justification for dangerous driving there may be an explanation as to why there behavior is erratic. Stay cool and calm.

CALL FOR HELP: -- Don’t be afraid to call the police when you witness dangerous driving. You may be helping all other motorists including yourself and the offending driver.

CALL FOR HELP: If you are the aggressive driver, consider anger management programs and coping strategies -

THE ROADS ARE FOR ALL OF US TO SHARE, AND ROAD RAGE MAKES THEM A DANGEROUS PLACE FOR US TO BE. THINKING ABOUT OUR BEHAVIOUR WHILE WE ARE DRIVING OUR MOTOR VEHICLES CAN ONLY BRING ABOUT POSITIVE CHANGE.

THANK YOU