Dealing with particular situations
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Aggressive driving and road rage
Aggressive driving includes speeding, tailgating, failing to yield, and cutting in front of others too closely.
Road rage can escalate from frustration to dangerous retaliatory actions.
Avoid becoming angry by recognizing stress, breathing deeply, and listening to relaxing music.
Leave personal problems at home—do not bring them into your driving.
Take breaks on long trips to prevent fatigue and frustration.
Never compete, retaliate, or attempt to educate other drivers on the road.
Use your horn sparingly; a gentle tap is usually sufficient.
Be courteous: plan routes in advance, yield when reasonable, apologize if you’ve made a mistake, and do not return aggression or make eye contact with aggressive drivers.
Street racing
Street racing is an extreme form of aggressive driving and risks severe injury or death for all road users.
It shows a disregard for traffic laws and can lead to criminal charges under the Criminal Code of Canada.
Drowsy driving
Drowsiness impairs drivers similarly to alcohol, slowing reaction times and reducing alertness.
High-risk times include late night/early morning (2 a.m. to 6 a.m.) and late afternoon (2 p.m. to 4 p.m.).
Pull over and park in a safe, well-lit area if you feel drowsy or notice signs like frequent yawning or drifting out of your lane.
Short-term fixes like caffeine or opening a window will not prevent falling asleep—only proper rest can.
Workers on the road
Be cautious in construction zones and obey all posted signs and traffic-control workers.
Reduce speed when workers are present; fines may double in these areas.
Watch for uneven road surfaces, narrowed lanes, or construction vehicles.
If a lane is blocked and no one is directing traffic, yield to oncoming traffic before proceeding.
Other workers (surveyors, utility crews, tow-truck operators) may be present—slow down and give them space.
Animals on the road
Animal-related collisions are on the rise; scan from shoulder to shoulder for wildlife.
Watch for reflective eyes at night and be prepared to stop.
Slow down in poor weather or low-visibility conditions.
If you see an animal on the road, slow down, sound the horn, and never try to drive around it unpredictably.
If you must watch the animal, pull completely off the road and stay inside your vehicle.
Report any collisions with large animals (moose, deer) to police or local authorities.
Distracted driving
Driving requires full attention—even with driver-assist features.
Ontario law prohibits using hand-held devices for texting, dialing, or programming GPS while driving (including red lights).
Hands-free devices are allowed if they are securely mounted or used via voice commands.
Activities like eating, drinking, grooming, or reaching for items can still lead to a careless or dangerous driving charge.
Tips: turn off your phone, use apps that block notifications, or have a passenger handle calls/texts.
Distracted driving kills about 100 people and injures 16,000 annually in Ontario—stay focused on the road.
Emergency vehicles
Emergency vehicles use flashing red, blue, or white lights and sirens. Police, fire, and ambulances may use various types of vehicles.
When approaching an emergency vehicle with flashing lights or sirens, move as far right as possible and come to a complete stop.
Do not block or stop on shoulders or intersections. Clear the intersection if you are in one, then pull to the right.
Maintain at least 150 metres behind a fire vehicle responding to an alarm.
When an emergency vehicle or tow truck is stopped with lights flashing, reduce speed, signal, and move into another lane if safe.
Always follow any police officer’s hand signals, even if traffic lights indicate otherwise.