Concept Of Driving

Q: When my grandfather taught me how to drive, he told me to always use my rear view mirror. He said that I should know what's going on behind me as well as in front. I think my grandfather and I are the only ones who know this. I have to drive on the highway Kelowna-Winfield every day and I am amazed there are not more accidents. Drivers do not get the concept of "USE THE RIGHT LANE....EXCEPT TO PASS".

They drive in the left lane below the speed limit, never looking in the MIRROR to see that they are holding up traffic, or to notice the semi right on their tail. You can see the drivers getting upset. One will pass on the right honking the horn to wake this guy up, but they keep on in the left lane. By now I start to see road rage emerging. Tailgating, passing and then slowing down in front of the car and giving them the well known hand signal.

All because this moron has no idea what is going on around him. I can not tell you how many accidents I have avoided by paying attention to the traffic around me. Please tell drivers to stay in the right lane except to pass. And to use the rear view mirror....that's why it is there. I have driven everywhere in North America, from Anchorage to Mexico - Newfoundland to Victoria and I have never seen so many DOZY drivers in my life. Could it be the B.C. pot that makes them weak at the wheel. I know it kills brain cells but how much are they freaking smoking!!!!!! Gonna Snap!

Q: I feel the same way. There are certain drivers who have not realized that there is a rear view mirror or the side mirrors that are now standard safety equipment on most vehicles. Some drivers drive in such a manner that it appears that the only window in their vehicle is the one in front of them. Take stock in the fact that you are driving in the appropriate safe manner.

Even with education, enforcement and roadway laws, there is always going to be the inconsiderate drivers on the roadway. Road rage is a massive problem, and one that's getting worse as traffic becomes more intense. Anybody who has driven a car has no doubt been angered or annoyed by the actions of aggressive drivers. It can range from a simple discourteous act to one that provokes physical, violent confrontation. It's virtually impossible to eliminate all the causes of road rage.

How, in the civilized world, can so many drivers of both genders have so much anger built up and believe that inflicting pain upon others will make them feel better? Don't these drivers realize that there is no gain in driving like this? Don't these drivers observe that, even with speeding, tailgating, running red lights and stop signs and cutting off other vehicles, they may gain only a small distance and possibly save only a few minutes?

How can they not understand that the potential reward for aggressive driving is far out-weighed by the potential of inflicting injury, death, damage, pain and, if nothing else, incurring insurance costs and time delays to complete accident reports?

To protect yourself you have to get a hold of your emotions. The worst thing that you want to happen is to meet someone who is as angry as you, or possibly even more possessed by rage. This will likely cause a confrontation on the road that may lead to an exchange of gestures, dangerous driving tactics and physical violence. If you are angry at someone on the road - let it go.

If you are a innocent victim of road rage by some angry driver you must protect yourself. Follow some of the guidelines on the right to help yourself overcome these types of situations. Most importantly, do not make eye contact with an angry driver. An angry look is all he/she needs to increase the level of rage. The best advice is to safely get away from an angry driver as quickly as possible. Take the next right turn and choose an alternate route to your destination. If necessary, pull over and cool off before continuing on your way.

If an enraged driver attempts to follow you there is a good chance that the level of violence may increase. Do not go home. Go straight to the nearest police detachment and file a complaint/report when you arrive there. Do not endanger yourself by trying to evade a road racer. Drive the speed limit and observe all traffic control devices.

Constable R.A.(Richard) ASELTON
Central Okanagan Traffic Services - Media Liaison
Kelowna R.C.M.P. Detachment

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.