Olds RCMP have some advice for drivers in the wake of a road rage incident in an Olds parking lot.
On Saturday, March 11, Jim Cammaert, 45, of Sundre allegedly confronted a man from the Olds area because of rocks that were thrown up from the victim's vehicle into his own, Olds RCMP Cpl. Michael Black says.
Police arrested the suspect that same day and charged Cammaert with assault.
"The injuries were fairly minor," Black says about the victim's condition.
The victim sought medical treatment but no hospital stay was required. Had the injuries been more grievous, the charge police laid would have been more serious, such as assault causing bodily harm, he said.
Cammaert is scheduled to be back in Didsbury provincial court on Monday, May 1.
Drivers who are losing their patience with other motorists for whatever reason should take a moment to reconsider before losing their temper and resorting to a regrettable physical confrontation, Black advises.
"Take a second sober thought; take a breath. Are you going to care about it in a year?"
As for any man or womn who might find themselves the unwitting target of an angry driver, Black urges caution.
He says people on the receiving end of road rage have no way of knowing the aggressor's mindset or whether that individual might potentially be armed with any kind of weapon, from a tire iron to a knife or even a firearm.
"Stay in your vehicle, lock the doors and call the police," Black says.
Although there are occasionally such incidents occurring along the Highway 2 corridor, Black says he could not recollect a similar incident in Olds during his time in that community.
During his three years of service with the Olds RCMP, Black says this case of road rage was a "one off, for sure."
"Take a second sober thought; take a breath. Are you going to care about it in a year?"OLDS RCMP CPL. MICHAEL BLACK
