ROAD RAGE

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

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• 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

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• ROAD RAGE DEFINED

Acting out in anger while driving a motor vehicle
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• 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
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• 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
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• 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.
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• 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. Furthermor
e, 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.
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• 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
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• 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.
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• HOW TO ENSURE YOU ARE NOT A VICTIM OF ROAD RAGE

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

--TAILGATING Dont 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.
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• 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)
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• DONT ENGAGE

- - Dont 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.
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• DONT ENGAGE

• - STEER CLEAR.
• Let angry drivers pass you by. Dont feed their
  anger. They may be angry and unsafe, but dont
  allow yourself to be put in danger. Dont pull
  off the road in an attempt to deal with the other
  driver.

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• DONT ENGAGE

• - AVOID EYE CONTACT
• Dont engage in eye contact with an already
  angry driver. Staring at each other could make
  it personal and cause a duel.

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• 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
drivers description. Dont try to settle the
score.
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• 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.

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• PUT YOURSELF IN THE OTHER DRIVERS SHOES

• - DONT 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.

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• CALL FOR HELP

• - Dont be afraid to call the police when you
  witness dangerous driving. You may be helping
  all other motorists including yourself and the
  offending driver.

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

• -

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• 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.

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• THANK YOU