“A Sorry Gesture” I accidentally swerved slightly into someone’s lane (city street) and I waved to say sorry as she leaned on her horn. This woman, with her young children in the suv (not seat belted mind you) sped up to get next to me and called me every name in the book at the top of her lungs. I said “sorry, my bad” and I moved to the right lane to avoid her. I noticed she dropped back and began following me. I drove in circles and zig zagged streets for a few miles and she was still on me. I thought to myself " this woman is out of her mind, I hope I won’t have to fight this woman". I started to drive toward my NLVPD precinct. Once she noticed where I was turning into she peeled off. This is becoming a norm in this town and it’s not good at all. We just had a young female driver get shot on the freeway because of some asshole road raging about something. Bad, very bad what’s happening in our communities.
Quite often you don’t have to do anything…they’re just assholes.
Indeed.
Except for when you can not. If trapped in traffic, it is difficult to drive away.
I know that is an obvious statement, but… cover all bases.
A good jake brake does wonders to wake up some fools. Far too many people drive with severe back pain… they must have severe back pain, since they are bent so far over to have their head inserted where they need a good proctologist to have their head examined.
Had people run me off the road, had them almost side swipe me, cars, trucks and ‘18 wheelers’, it really does not matter what they drive.
And if in traffic, they can be even more absurd. Watched one person wave a gun, because sitting in traffic nobody was really moving but he felt he should be able to make everyone bump into each other to give him room to change lanes and he almost hit two cars… he waved his gun… only… to have someone get out of his vehicle and aim his firearm when the fool suddenly went into the median and drive away. Not sure if that person was going to fire, but he seemed to feel the other driver was a threat, waving a firearm at everybody. Of course, that was DC traffic, during rush hour… where it is not a rush and far more than an hour… and 30? 35? years ago.
Dawn says drive away, but sometimes, that is not exactly an option.
Oh, and welcome.
I’ve always understood that if a road rager follows you, you should call the police and drive directly to the nearest police station.
Welcome to the fun house.
That is a good option. But, always stay alert, as they may still come after you at a later date and time.
I was in an accident recently. The Woman who hit my car became belligerent towards me (I was wearing my shield and gun, btw), and towards the police officer who arrived! The situation was becoming threatening towards me. As she became more belligerent, I stopped her and said, “Ma’am, I’m not going to argue with you. Let the officer complete his report, and let out insurance companies ‘duke it out’.” I went to my vehicle, and ignored her. The officer who responded to the accident noted the encounter, complimented my professionalism under potential threat… but the aggressive party has my address and phone number…
The positive ending to this affair was that she never bothered me again, and my colleagues of our local PD know without doubt that they can count on me under pressure.
It sounds like you weren’t hurt in the accident - I hope that’s the case!
Nice job on remaining calm. I’ve been in a similar situation and it was documented in the accident report (her behavior and mine).
Keeping calm in a high stress situation is not easy - and something we all hope we can do if we ever have to physically defend ourselves.
Glad you’re OK, @Taina!
Dear @Dawn, thank you for your encouragement, and your kind words. I’m grateful to say that no one was hurt in the accident. I was patrolling, and “fully loaded” for my patrol. (I volunteer patrols for our local police department). Even after the accident, no further issues followed. Many blessings, sister.
~Taina
I had to deal with a road rage person today, put it up on a local net to warn others to beware of the bugger…
Then, you call the police when you realize they are following you. Make them aware of what is going on, and ask them for an escort. In my state, you have the right to defend yourself when there is a direct and reasonable threat to your life or threat of bodily harm. However, if I am in a vehicle, I am calling the police and driving to the safest location. You are also responsible for any rounds fired. Also, you might also be liable for any damage the other driver does to another person or their property if you are the cause of them crashing into someone. Be smart. Be safe. Use common sense. We don’t live in an action movie.
that is a lot of ?s to answer, I tend to drive slow since I retired from leo service, but I have had people who love to race around me , charge their engines, try to stop in front of me , etc… I ignore them mostly! Always have my gun on me or near by, I laugh when I always meet them at the same stop light , I seriously look at them and laugh! I know I shouldn’t, but I tire of people who think that driving faster gets them anywhere a lot sooner, maybe by a few minutes at most. Now if they want to take it further, we can go there. But not if I have my family with me! I will back off.