Lorraine Explains: Steer clear of road rage on road trips

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If long drives are something you look forward to, we need to admit that the roads, they’re just not what they used to be. A few tips for aging road warriors, a group of which I’m a part.

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There was a time I thought nothing of hopping in my car with water, a bag of almonds and half a dozen apples. I would then drive eight hours straight to a friend’s place in New Hampshire to participate in something called a Pumpkin Festival. It doesn’t exist anymore, but more importantly, I’ve come to recognize that my ability to hardcore road trip has also changed.

With a nod towards safety (I would never try to curb the cross-country trekkers who vibrate with anticipation of spending days in the driver’s seat), I do think it makes sense to tweak some expectations to keep you and your passengers in good spirits. If you missed a year or two of your standard long hauls due to the pandemic, you’re no doubt discovering our roads have changed. Or more precisely, the drivers who inhabit those roads have changed.

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Road rage is at a new high

Road rage is up. Way up. Just a year ago, 78 per cent of Canadians had observed road rage. Now, I don’t know anyone who hasn’t experienced it — or even delivered a little. Last week, a Texas man flipped off an overly aggressive driver, who in turn shot back into the car and killed the man’s wife in the passenger seat. Last year, a Calgary mother of five got caught in the gunfire between two other drivers chasing each other in that city.

The rage on our roadways is a symptom of all the other pressures many of us are feeling. What’s made all that anger all the more dangerous is that upset people can express that anger while piloting a ridiculously powerful and heavy weapon — their vehicle.

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Once upon a time, I would ask readers to consider that someone could have pulled a boneheaded move because they were upset or momentarily distracted. I would ask you to consider that we all make mistakes, and if there were a universal signal for “I’m sorry” it would be used. With the introduction of a cell phone in every hand, it got harder to give the benefit of the doubt to those who refused to stop texting. Now, with the escalating anger in nearly every part of our lives, I simply ask you to remove yourself from the equation as much as possible if it happens when you’re driving.

Ask yourself: is this the hill? Does my ego require me to get even with the person who just cut me off? Is the need to teach that idiot a lesson more important than keeping me — and my passengers — safe? Will the momentary gratification of flipping the bird to the driver who refuses to move over be worth a possible escalation? Keep in mind there is nothing scarier than being trapped in a vehicle with a driver who is hellbent on making a point, getting even, or winning.

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What can you do?

I was on the 403 near Oakville a few weeks ago. A huge semi was swinging back and forth across three lanes of traffic, terrifying everyone else on the road. I called the OPP to report it, with as much information as I could. I chose what I could do. Last week on a Saturday evening, a motorcyclist was cutting in and out of heavy highway traffic just outside of Toronto. Two minutes later, we came across a Honda Accord, totalled near the end of an on-ramp. People were still emerging from the destroyed vehicle, apparently unharmed. I’ve no way of knowing if that motorcycle was part of that specific event, but the level of aggression on our roadways is making me less and less inclined to move in for a better look. It is legal to call police from your cell phone, and more and more, sending help, rather than stopping and offering it, is the best call.

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Report bad drivers

Peel Regional Police are asking the public to report bad drivers to them. The RoadWatch Program states “important details to note include the vehicle’s licence plate, identifiers such as make, model and colour, and a description of the driver if possible.” Obviously easier for a passenger to do, or a dashcam, but police do want to hear from you. And that is who you should use to handle aggressive drivers. You might be surprised at the number of traffic infractions that begin as a call from the public.

Road trip tips

Congestion is being made worse in many areas with ongoing seasonal construction. Factor in the unexpected — flash weather events, infrastructure failures — and know that no, you’re not crazy. It is worse than before. Leave more time, accept you might be overnighting somewhere you didn’t plan to, and arrive safe — if late.

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Defensive driving takes more energy. Stop more often. With a driving partner, I was used to trading off every three or four hours. Now? Every two. With spare drivers, there is zero reason to drive if you’re tired or uncomfortable. It’s a road trip, not an Ironman. Canadians tend to describe distance in terms of time: it takes three hours to get to the cottage, 40 hours to get to Calgary. It’s time to reconsider that to safely factor in how many things can change.

Never pass up an opportunity to pee or top up the fuel tank or battery. Keep an eye out for aggressors, and don’t be lured into becoming one yourself. Here’s to a safe summer.