Dangerous driving refers to driving in a reckless manner compromising the safety of others on the road. It is a severe offense in Canada and punishable under law. Dangerous driving can lead to fatal accidents on the road. It can even cause property damage. Therefore, it is recommended to get auto insurance.
You might get hurt in an accident due to dangerous driving. Car insurance ensures that all the medical expenses or other expenses related to repairing damage are covered. Surex can help you get quotes from some of the top insurance companies in Alberta. Then you can get your car insurance from a company with affordable insurance policies.
You might be a cautious driver. But it is not necessary that all the drivers will indulge in safe driving as well. One dangerous driver on the road endangers the safety of everyone else on the road. So, you should always report hazardous driving. Read this article to find out how you can report dangerous driving in Alberta.
1. Seek Immediate Assistance
If you see a hazardous driver on the road, you should report it. A drover endangering the lives of others on the road should be removed immediately. But you should call the emergency line only in case of a real emergency. The emergency line should not be dialed unnecessarily. It will disrupt the reporting of serious issues such as someone being hurt on the road.
You should call the emergency number only if you see an accident due to dangerous driving. Otherwise, it is best to contact the local police to report a dangerous driver who is probably going beyond the speed limit. You should keep the cell number of the local police handy. Distracted driving is also a kind of dangerous driving and should be reported.
Distracted driving involves using the phone while driving. A distracted driver may be a potential risk to the safety of the people on the road. You should be able to provide the details of the distracted driver if you are reporting them to the police. It is an excellent idea to memorize the license plate of the car which you think was driven recklessly.
2. Reporting Repeat Offenders
You might have a driver in your neighborhood who drives around recklessly. Such a driver is a danger for the entire community by putting the lives of everyone on the road at risk. If you try to tell them how their driving endangers everyone else, chances are they won’t listen. You should try to get the license number of the dangerous driver. Also, try to identify which route they undertake frequently. It will be an added advantage if you can find an address they often visit, such as their office.
You can report the dangerous driver to the police after acquiring some of this information. But the police cannot arrest someone until they have valid proof. So, you should keep reporting the driver. It will increase the chances of the driver being caught in the act of dangerous driving. Moreover, if you keep reporting dangerous driving activities, the police will increase patrolling in the area. The increased patrolling will ensure that the dangerous driving offenders can be caught easily.
Sometimes there are neighborhood watch programs that ensure the safety of drivers. Curb The Danger program is one such community program in Edmonton. The community programs help keep the dangerous drivers in check. You should always report a dangerous driver to the person in charge of the neighborhood watch programs. The drivers also become more careful when they know they are being watched by the police as well as the community people.
3. Avoiding Dangerous Drivers
Even if you report a dangerous driver, you still have the risk of getting hit by such a driver. So, you should always try to avoid dangerous drivers to ensure your safety. If a driver is trying to tailgate you, let them pass. If any driver is driving beyond the speed limit, do not get involved in a chase and increase your speed.
- Keep safe distance: If you notice a car being driven erratically, maintain a safe distance from it. But try to see the license number so that you can report the car later. And remember, since you are behind the wheel, you should also follow all the road safety rules. You should not become agitated when you see an aggressive driver on the road. You need to stay calm and drive the vehicle safely.
- Control your driving behavior: You cannot prevent someone else from being a dangerous driver. But you can control how you will behave behind the wheel. You should not allow any stranger to mess with your mood. Sometimes aggression leads to dangerous driving, which can ultimately cause severe accidents. It is not your job to punish a dangerous driver, and “getting even” is not the solution.
- Follow Rules: You should set an example for other drivers by following all the rules yourself. Do not become too frustrated when there is too much traffic. You should not drive beyond the speed limit or try to tailgate another vehicle. You should be respectful towards the other drivers if you want to be treated the same way.
- Keep away from distractions: Additionally, do not be a distracted driver on the road. Do not use the phone while you are driving. You should always get adequate sleep before driving long distances. Lack of sleep can often make drivers distracted while driving. Sometimes talking to your co-passengers in the backseat can also be a major cause of distracted driving. Another major cause of distraction is monitoring a toddler or pet while driving.
Summing Up
Dangerous driving should always be reported because it puts the safety of everyone on the road at risk. You can report a dangerous driver to the local police. There are also several community watch programs that monitor the safety of drivers. A repeat offender of dangerous driving will be easy to catch if you keep reporting them. You should follow all the road safety rules and set an example for other drivers on the road.