Barrie police were aided by video footage of a reported road rage incident on February 20 that has now resulted in charges against an Essa Township man.
Police say they received a report of a female motorist travelling westbound on Dunlop Street West when a pickup truck merged from the Highway 400 northbound off-ramp without signalling and proceeded to drive in an erratic and dangerous manner.
"Officers launched an investigation into the complaint and obtained video footage of the incident which revealed the pickup truck merged without signalling, cut off the complainant, stopped in the lane, accelerated to block her lane change, tailgated at close range, and made a turning motion toward the complainant’s vehicle in a manner that could have resulted in a serious collision with oncoming traffic," police stated in a media release.
There was no collision, and no injuries were reported.
Officers were able to identify the driver of the pickup, and that person turned himself into police on Saturday.
The 46-year-old has been charged with dangerous operation, as well as several Highway Traffic Act offences, including failing to signal a lane change, failing to yield to traffic on a through highway, unnecessary slow driving, and following too closely.
"The Barrie Police Service reminds motorists that aggressive and dangerous driving behaviour puts all road users at risk. Incidents of road rage should be reported to police, and drivers are encouraged to provide video evidence when available to aid in the investigation," according to the news release.
