Had a positive outcome to a road rage encounter the other evening on interstate 90 in Eastern Washington state. Heading home near about 9:30pm. Flow of traffic was 10 over, and very light. A pickup truck coming onto the interstate at a higher rate of speed, makes 3 unsafe lane changes to the number 1 lane, where he cut me off, not overly a big deal. However I flashed my bright light bar at him. Appeared to be no big deal, a few miles down the road, that truck and me are in the slow lane. I am about to get off the interstate, put on my blinker to exit, and the wreckless truck driver cross the 2 white lines to jump off in front of me on the exit.
We end up at a stop light under the interstate, he is the lead truck at the light. Jumps out of his truck, walking with his left should facing toward me, I lean out the window, ask, “do you have a gun?” he says yes. Meanwhile, and always, my gun is ready and available, I am partially standing in my driver side, my big mirrors sort of obstruct any view below my midsection, but I have my weapon in my hand out of view. I yell back at the guy, “you best get back in your car, I only flash my brights at you.” At this point, 2 things come to mind. 1) I will shoot if he approaches to the line made by my front bumper, or I will run him over, as he is standing in the left turn pocket of the street. The guy decides wisely, turns and goes back to his car. When he turns around, turns out he didn’t have a gun. This is the first time in 11 years, I nearly used my 2A rights. Only thing possibly different that I would do, is next time video the situation by placing or leaning my phone on the dash between the window and the dash. We live in uneasy times, this guy nearly got shot in a bluff. I live in Idaho, and one thing most people know, you can count on the fact that nearly everyone has a gun. This bad driver was a Washington resident, apparently he didn’t get the memo about folks from Idaho. Worst than bringing a knife to a gunfight, is not bringing one at all. Glad it worked out calmly.
Hello and welcome @mwalters44
Glad to hear that ended well.
Down here at the NV/CA border I experience that type of reckless driving all the time. Getting a dash cam soon.
@Todd30 what color truck do you drive? 
Glad it turned out well for you.
If it were me, I wouldn’t have mentioned gun. He could’ve turned around and called the cops to say you’re brandishing. YMMV.
He asked the man if he had a gun. He didn’t state he did.
… is not flash your brights at the offending vehicle. Apparently, that is what set him off. I did that once, almost 4 decades ago, learned not to do that again. I was able to evade the idiot by turning onto a side street, turning off my lights, and use my parking brake to slow down (no brake lights) as I parked on the side of the road with other parked cars around me. However, it would have been better not to get the guy riled-up in the first place.
Correct. But if I were the other person, I would use that question as basis for a false report.
My recommendation:
Delete everything and do not post or discuss anything with anyone other than your attorney unless and until your attorney says otherwise
Also, general recommendation to everyone for no particular reason: Don’t flash your lights at someone to signal you are unhappy with what they did
Also, dash cameras are good, nearly everyone should have at least one
Oh, I never said I had a gun or even show it. He was the one that said he had a gun, hidden behind on his right side, as he was walking sideways leading with his left shoulder.
sure, if there was a case or potential, this wouldn’t have been posted. It was just a case, that worked out fine.
There is potential.
Welcome
Yes, but you brought up the subject first. Again, YMMV.
Red and white F-250? I am Western Washington. It wasn’t me!
The last thing I worry about is other drivers driving bad. Situational awareness, avoid, evade, make space, The best part of traveling is the journey.
That he asked if you were carrying a firearm?
Have you got a 3" tube bumper on that truck? At the point he got out it was time to gently accelerate from the situation. And all on dashcam would be great. Always stop to see the bottom of the rear tires of the Dbag in front of you.
No conversation required.
Just saying.
Great point, I had plenty of space and I always leave that space. When I mentioned I could’ve ran him over, that is what would’ve, or could’ve happen, if he didn’t get out of the way. Not sure how it would have worked out, he would claim I was trying to run him over, assault? Not sure, but I understand my mistakes. I had at least one other option, I could have not turned left, and drove another way. It is a story of escalation, what I didn’t think was it was going to continue. But a bit naive on my part, since he showed strong intent when crossing over the ramp lines to exit ahead of me.
Still doesn’t change the fact that society is the way it is because there is no accountability anymore. But, understand the escalation thing and best course would have been drive on.
You shouldn’t taunt idiots. It’s just better that way. If you’re that cocky, maybe a firearm isn’t the right idea for you. Just a thought in general. I find that driving knowing that I have my firearm calms down all of that driver ego bullshit.
As long as they don’t run into me or run me over I’m good. Stay away from me. Situational awareness is also not being the one to cause the situation.
Food for thought or some â– â– â– â– .
It’s much easier to avoid it. Not everybody’s worth getting in a confrontation with.
And on the subject of bad drivers, y’all should visit Florida.
Lol
Aside from not flashing the lights since so many people are so unhinged and easily triggered these days there are a couple of other things I likely would have done. I would have tried to drive away from the situation as quickly as possible if I had an opening while simultaneously calling 911 and telling them I was dealing with a road rager who has gotten out of the vehicle and is approaching me with what appears to be some type of weapon hidden behind their back.
My only $0.02 is this:
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you came home with the same number of holes in your body as you left. I call that a win.
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Every incident is a learning experience.
Thanks for sharing and allowing us to role play with you.