IT’S TIME TO slow down on the roads to avoid getting slapped with huge fines for aggressive driving, which is the focus this month of the RCMP.
May is Aggressive Driving Month and police will be targeting aggressive drivers to educate motorists and reduce the number of collisions.
Aggressive driving includes speeding and excessive speeding, which is 40km or more above the posted speed limit, tailgating, unsafe lane changes or weaving in and out of traffic, rolling through stop signs, failing to stop a yellow or red light and failing to yield.
Fines for speeding start at $138 and go all the way to $483, and if you’re speeding excessively, police will seize your car for seven days.
Failing to stop at a stop sign, red or yellow light will get you a fine of $167. Following too closely, unsafe passing and failing to yield cost $109 each.
Aggressive driving is a factor in two-thirds of traffic deaths and in one-third of collisions, say police.
To reduce the tendency to drive aggressively, police suggest allowing plenty of time to get to destinations, being courteous, realizing that everyone makes mistakes, breathing deeply and using breathing techniques to relax and regain control.
