AB worst in Canada for any number of Social Ills

DebraW · 18-03-2007, 12:45 PM

Alberta worst in Canada for any number of social ills
Potholes spell road rage

Sun, March 18, 2007
By JEREMY LOOME, SUN MEDIA

If Edmonton potholes are driving you crazy, you should worry about what they're doing to the motorist one car over, says a road rage expert.

There are numerous reasons why potholes and other driver irritations contribute to road rage, says Peter Rothe, who is about to have his ninth book published by University of Alberta Press. The sociologist says Edmonton's Swiss cheese streets are prime examples.

"One of the considerations is where road rage is the result of some obstruction - you're in a hurry to get somewhere and some obstruction prevents you from making it in time. So you become frustrated and will take chances that could increase the risk of crashes. That could prompt road rage both in the driver and in other adjacent drivers.

"The second angle is that you're already upset, your mood is already defined because of something that happened in another area of your life and you transfer that mood into your car with you. And that seems to be quite common. Once you start driving and see various obstacles, that compounds your anger."

The city is working hard to catch up to the pothole problem and will fix up to 400,000 this year, said Kelly Vail, with the transportation department.

She said they don't have any idea how many potholes there actually are in Edmonton but that the city concedes rapidly shifting weather this winter has made the problem much worse than usual.

The city can fill about 2,000 potholes a day, said Vail. Inevitably, said Rothe, any road irritant can cause conflict. More potholes just makes it more likely they'll be the catalyst.

"It's people who are already in conflict and competition for the next piece of space of road ahead of them."

Alberta's competitive spirit makes us the worst in Canada for any number of social ills caused by that competitiveness, he said, including road rage incidents, domestic violence and suicide.

That's why, for example, drivers coming the opposite way on an access road won't yield the centre of the road, and why drivers will routinely accelerate to cut someone off: they want to feel like they're winning something.

"Basically, it's part of the ethos of living in Alberta to win, because winners make the big bucks."

--30--

DebraW · 18-03-2007, 12:49 PM

Yeah for Alberta!

We are number one for domestic violence (DV), suicide, workplace death and injury, road rage and sexual assaults!

How's that Alberta Advantage look now?

DebraW · 18-03-2007, 01:27 PM

^ My reply may sound flippant but it is not.

These “social ills” are what defines us as a society and I am not proud of them.

Correlated to the rise in domestic violence, workplace injuries and the like is increased migration to Alberta. Transient or new populations do not have the same familial, social and community connections necessary to tackle the issues.

Therefore, we are aware there are problems.

We have some ideas on reasons behind the problems.

What do we do about it?

Four solutions I suggest. LIVE!

Lead

Lead by doing the right thing—always—not just when it is easy or convenient. Step up—now—no one ever made a difference by procrastinating.

Involvement

Get to know your neighbours, your co-workers, the person you get coffee from every morning. Be involved by being interactive and showing you care.

Become involved in your community! Even if it just means buying a community membership for a free skate—do something—anything as it all matters.

Volunteer

Volunteer at a social agency that help combat some of these “social ills”. At the very least become aware of the services available and help people in need of these resources locate them.

Example

One of my favourite quotes says it best, “You must be the change you want to see in the world.” Mahatma Gandhi

Mentor children or that new employee—pass on your expertise and make a difference and impact in someone’s life.

kcantor · 18-03-2007, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djgirl

...
Four solutions I suggest. LIVE!

Lead

Lead by doing the right thing—always—not just when it is easy or convenient. Step up—now—no one ever made a difference by procrastinating.

Involvement

Get to know your neighbours, your co-workers, the person you get coffee from every morning. Be involved by being interactive and showing you care.

Become involved in your community! Even if it just means buying a community membership for a free skate—do something—anything as it all matters.

Volunteer

Volunteer at a social agency that help combat some of these “social ills”. At the very least become aware of the services available and help people in need of these resources locate them.

Example

One of my favourite quotes says it best, “You must be the change you want to see in the world.” Mahatma Gandhi

Mentor children or that new employee—pass on your expertise and make a difference and impact in someone’s life.

djgirl,

I like your suggestions - along with the acronym - a lot. It shows the importance of taking personal responsiblity and of becoming involved at whatever level you are able if we want things to be different and better for our children. Like the butterfly's wings, everything we do and every effort we make really does count.

If you don't mind, I would like to use and pass on your acronym and it's underlying themes.

DebraW · 18-03-2007, 05:52 PM

Thank you.

The acryonm came to mind this afternoon when I was posting the Sun article but this is the way I choose to LIVE my life.

18-03-2007, 12:45 PM	#1
DebraW Addicted to C2E Join Date: Mar 2006	AB worst in Canada for any number of Social Ills Alberta worst in Canada for any number of social ills Potholes spell road rage Sun, March 18, 2007 By JEREMY LOOME, SUN MEDIA If Edmonton potholes are driving you crazy, you should worry about what they're doing to the motorist one car over, says a road rage expert. There are numerous reasons why potholes and other driver irritations contribute to road rage, says Peter Rothe, who is about to have his ninth book published by University of Alberta Press. The sociologist says Edmonton's Swiss cheese streets are prime examples. "One of the considerations is where road rage is the result of some obstruction - you're in a hurry to get somewhere and some obstruction prevents you from making it in time. So you become frustrated and will take chances that could increase the risk of crashes. That could prompt road rage both in the driver and in other adjacent drivers. "The second angle is that you're already upset, your mood is already defined because of something that happened in another area of your life and you transfer that mood into your car with you. And that seems to be quite common. Once you start driving and see various obstacles, that compounds your anger." The city is working hard to catch up to the pothole problem and will fix up to 400,000 this year, said Kelly Vail, with the transportation department. She said they don't have any idea how many potholes there actually are in Edmonton but that the city concedes rapidly shifting weather this winter has made the problem much worse than usual. The city can fill about 2,000 potholes a day, said Vail. Inevitably, said Rothe, any road irritant can cause conflict. More potholes just makes it more likely they'll be the catalyst. "It's people who are already in conflict and competition for the next piece of space of road ahead of them." Alberta's competitive spirit makes us the worst in Canada for any number of social ills caused by that competitiveness, he said, including road rage incidents, domestic violence and suicide. That's why, for example, drivers coming the opposite way on an access road won't yield the centre of the road, and why drivers will routinely accelerate to cut someone off: they want to feel like they're winning something. "Basically, it's part of the ethos of living in Alberta to win, because winners make the big bucks." --30--

18-03-2007, 12:49 PM	#2
DebraW Addicted to C2E Join Date: Mar 2006	Yeah for Alberta! We are number one for domestic violence (DV), suicide, workplace death and injury, road rage and sexual assaults! How's that Alberta Advantage look now?

18-03-2007, 01:27 PM	#3
DebraW Addicted to C2E Join Date: Mar 2006	^ My reply may sound flippant but it is not. These “social ills” are what defines us as a society and I am not proud of them. Correlated to the rise in domestic violence, workplace injuries and the like is increased migration to Alberta. Transient or new populations do not have the same familial, social and community connections necessary to tackle the issues. Therefore, we are aware there are problems. We have some ideas on reasons behind the problems. What do we do about it? Four solutions I suggest. LIVE! Lead Lead by doing the right thing—always—not just when it is easy or convenient. Step up—now—no one ever made a difference by procrastinating. Involvement Get to know your neighbours, your co-workers, the person you get coffee from every morning. Be involved by being interactive and showing you care. Become involved in your community! Even if it just means buying a community membership for a free skate—do something—anything as it all matters. Volunteer Volunteer at a social agency that help combat some of these “social ills”. At the very least become aware of the services available and help people in need of these resources locate them. Example One of my favourite quotes says it best, “You must be the change you want to see in the world.” Mahatma Gandhi Mentor children or that new employee—pass on your expertise and make a difference and impact in someone’s life.

18-03-2007, 05:52 PM	#5
DebraW Addicted to C2E Join Date: Mar 2006	Thank you. The acryonm came to mind this afternoon when I was posting the Sun article but this is the way I choose to LIVE my life.