On the way to the university this morning, I was headed down the interstate and had to get over to the right lane. I squeezed into a small opening and the driver behind me was not pleased to say the least. As he was raging, telling me to pull over, riding my ass, etc. I would normally keep driving, but I guess I woke up on the jocular side of the bed this morning. I pulled over just past the exit, he gets out of the car and starts approaching. This entire time, I'm extremely amused with my self knowing what I'm about to do. Just when he got about 3/4 of the way to my car, I floored my v6 toyota camry and merged back onto the freeway. He actually started running after my car! Funniest thing I've seen in my life! I was a few minutes late for class, but oh well. It was worth the laugh.
Road rage instance, made myself laugh
- Thread starter Boomm
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Rail Driver
Member
I'm glad you survived the encounter, Boomm... Pulling over, you not only violated the laws of common sense, but you also needlessly risked your life.
Here's hoping your luck holds out next time
Here's hoping your luck holds out next time
While I don't see any direct relationship between this post and firearms, the behavior described and the alternatives that were available to, but not chosen by, the OP are sufficiently analogous to what might unfold in an encounter involving deadly weapons or the need for same that it's worth discussing--very briefly.
When one is approached by someone with ill intent, it is almost always best to avoid, disengage, escape, and/or evade. That''s not only for your immediate safety, but also to improve your chances of success in a defense of justification.
Bookmark this and study it between classes:
http://www.teddytactical.com/archive/MonthlyStudy/2006/02_StudyDay.htm
What happens in a road rage incident gone bad might well be a little different--you might only end up in a criminal negligence proceeding, whether homicide or not.
There's also the civil aspect, of course, and do not expect your liability insurance to cover damages for something you did on purpose.
You dodged a bullet or two, figuratively speaking, this time.
Think for a minute. Your life (and his) could have easily been changed forever.
Not a good exercise in judgment....perhaps this response will help just a little.
So, both the traffic incident and the actual face to face encounter were your doing.
Problem is, you had no idea what he was about to do.
Fortunately, you didn't kill or seriously injure him, and he didn't blast you with a handgun.
Well, had either of you been injured, you would have been very, very late for class, and that would have just been the beginning of your troubles.
To you, maybe, but had things gone south, so to speak, no one would have thought it funny at all--not even you.
When one is approached by someone with ill intent, it is almost always best to avoid, disengage, escape, and/or evade. That''s not only for your immediate safety, but also to improve your chances of success in a defense of justification.
Bookmark this and study it between classes:
http://www.teddytactical.com/archive/MonthlyStudy/2006/02_StudyDay.htm
What happens in a road rage incident gone bad might well be a little different--you might only end up in a criminal negligence proceeding, whether homicide or not.
There's also the civil aspect, of course, and do not expect your liability insurance to cover damages for something you did on purpose.
You dodged a bullet or two, figuratively speaking, this time.
Think for a minute. Your life (and his) could have easily been changed forever.
Not a good exercise in judgment....perhaps this response will help just a little.
omegaflame
Member
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- Aug 13, 2010
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- 186
As light-hearted as the post was, I do have to agree it defused the situation.
dusty14u
Member
Let me see if I have this right. You cut a guy off and instigate a confrontation and then boast about it. I am sure the other drivers around you were amazed and awed with your wit and humor. I don't feel that someone whose behavior demonstrates a clear lack of maturity should carry a dangerous weapon , much less be allowed to drive one..
Last edited:
bindingposts
Member
I think his post provides some helpful information. If approached by someone and you flee in a vehicle, their fight response will make them pursue that vehicle on foot. People tend to use less common sense when enraged or angered.
This person would of followed him had he not pulled over. He created a distraction that resulted in placing some distance between him and his attacker.
This person would of followed him had he not pulled over. He created a distraction that resulted in placing some distance between him and his attacker.
Rail Driver
Member
bindingposts said:
While I see the logic in your post, I don't exactly agree 100%.
People definitely tend to use less common sense (if any) when enraged or angered as the other party in the OP's scenario appeared to be.
The person MAY have followed him had he not pulled over, but in a situation like that the best option is to get on the phone to highway patrol and report the incident (which isn't really an option if you're the cause of the incident in the first place as in the OP).
I must say, however, that it's at least a good thing that the OP didn't allow the other party to physically confront him resulting in a BAD situation (which cannot be considered self defense because the OP started the situation). If the OP had allowed the other driver to approach and it resulted in a shooting situation, the OP would likely face charges (I am not a lawyer, and this is based only on my knowledge and experience, YMMV)
Dave P
Member
I think he did all right!
If you want to "what if"...
What if he didn't pull over and the guy chased him all over town at high speed?
What if he didn't pull over and the guy ran him off the road into a bus stop?
etc
If you want to "what if"...
What if he didn't pull over and the guy chased him all over town at high speed?
What if he didn't pull over and the guy ran him off the road into a bus stop?
etc
Roccobro
Member
I at least appreciate the OP being able to maintain cool when another "wielder of deadly weapons" was challenging him.
Leaving the offended on the side of the road is a better option than being followed and confronted on a "victim's disarmed" school zone.
Justin
Leaving the offended on the side of the road is a better option than being followed and confronted on a "victim's disarmed" school zone.
Justin
SSN Vet
Member
You have to be very careful about provoking other men to wrath.
You could have gone 1/2 mile down the highway only to find yourself in a bumper to bumper traffic jam and Mr. Irate two cars behind you with a piece and a death wish.
During my mispent teenage years, my buddy passed a car and flipped off the driver, only to have him chase us around town for miles. My buddy thought he had lost them and turned down the dead end road where he lived. Surprise, surprise when two minutes later the car pulled in the driveway behind us. Turns out it was two guys in their 50's with their wives in the car with them. The driver (looked like a former marine type) chewed my buddy out up one side and down the other. The other guy stood behind his open door watching, and to this day I'm convinced he had a gun at the ready.
They were confident and cocky and not about to take any sh&t from punk kids like us.
These situation can really go south in a hurry and you just can't predict how others will respond.
Drive with courtesy. It's the New Hampshire way.
You could have gone 1/2 mile down the highway only to find yourself in a bumper to bumper traffic jam and Mr. Irate two cars behind you with a piece and a death wish.
During my mispent teenage years, my buddy passed a car and flipped off the driver, only to have him chase us around town for miles. My buddy thought he had lost them and turned down the dead end road where he lived. Surprise, surprise when two minutes later the car pulled in the driveway behind us. Turns out it was two guys in their 50's with their wives in the car with them. The driver (looked like a former marine type) chewed my buddy out up one side and down the other. The other guy stood behind his open door watching, and to this day I'm convinced he had a gun at the ready.
They were confident and cocky and not about to take any sh&t from punk kids like us.
These situation can really go south in a hurry and you just can't predict how others will respond.
Drive with courtesy. It's the New Hampshire way.
leadcounsel
member
Not very smart. I am betting you gave no indication you were merging and/or didn't give the other driver a chance to decelerate when you 'merged into a tight spot.' For me I absolutely hate when other inconsiderate drivers do this. It's at the top of MY pet peeves. My advice is to be more considerate on the road.
rainbowbob
Member
You didn't mention the fact that the OP ALSO floored his vehicle from 0-to-60 to "merge" back onto the freeway. He undoubtedly cut somebody else off in so doing.
He is a danger to society - and he thinks his dangerous antics are funny.
My unsolicited advice to the OP:
Grow up.
Meanwhile, consider parking the car and putting the guns in a safe until you do.
ny32182
Member
Lets be clear about something, there is NEVER any excuse for the kind of behavior described in these road rage threads. Ever.
Guess what, I drive to work 50 minutes each way every day on a four lane road, and without fail, at some point every day I will get behind someone going a little slower than I like in the left lane, or get someone squeezing over in front of me to get off an exit, etc... guess what I do? Realize that other people use the road too, and as a result, every so often something like that will happen. It is not a reason to start acting like a crazed animal. There is enough stuff to worry about in life already; a guy in the left lane is not high on the list. If I tried to start a fight every time some mild inconvienence presented itself on the road, I'd be in jail by 7 oclock this afternoon without a doubt.
Also, I realize that every one of us are perfect drivers (except me I guess)... I've been run up on in the left lane before, and squeezed to the right (always with a signal if it is a little tight) to get off an upcoming exit. It is part of driving. Maybe the guy behind me was mildly preturbed. Maybe he wasn't. I'm fine with it either way. It isn't a reason to start a fight any more than when I am on the other end of it. It is just part of living on the road with other people who have just as much right to be there as you do.
What the OP here did, I would not have done, but it was far better alternative than what the guy behind him wanted to do if the situation is as described.
I've never been a party to something on the road that has ever gone anywhere near as far as the threads here are talking about. I'd do anything within reason to keep another driver from getting into a position to get out of his car and approach mine. But I'll tell you this, if it ever somehow did come to that, I would consider the guy to be completely insane/off his rocker, and my weapon would not be in the holster by the time he got to my window.
Guess what, I drive to work 50 minutes each way every day on a four lane road, and without fail, at some point every day I will get behind someone going a little slower than I like in the left lane, or get someone squeezing over in front of me to get off an exit, etc... guess what I do? Realize that other people use the road too, and as a result, every so often something like that will happen. It is not a reason to start acting like a crazed animal. There is enough stuff to worry about in life already; a guy in the left lane is not high on the list. If I tried to start a fight every time some mild inconvienence presented itself on the road, I'd be in jail by 7 oclock this afternoon without a doubt.
Also, I realize that every one of us are perfect drivers (except me I guess)... I've been run up on in the left lane before, and squeezed to the right (always with a signal if it is a little tight) to get off an upcoming exit. It is part of driving. Maybe the guy behind me was mildly preturbed. Maybe he wasn't. I'm fine with it either way. It isn't a reason to start a fight any more than when I am on the other end of it. It is just part of living on the road with other people who have just as much right to be there as you do.
What the OP here did, I would not have done, but it was far better alternative than what the guy behind him wanted to do if the situation is as described.
I've never been a party to something on the road that has ever gone anywhere near as far as the threads here are talking about. I'd do anything within reason to keep another driver from getting into a position to get out of his car and approach mine. But I'll tell you this, if it ever somehow did come to that, I would consider the guy to be completely insane/off his rocker, and my weapon would not be in the holster by the time he got to my window.
LRS_Ranger
Member
Ahh... the ignorance of youth. Why do people always have something to prove? Ohh.. you showed him, you drove away! Just like he was about to show you by yelling in your window. If you don't respect others, they sure as hell won't respect you, and just when you feel the most macho, that's when you are actually the most vunerable.
Ohfergawdsake. Do not play games in traffic. Do not dick around with other drivers. Do not "teach lessons" and show other drivers what's what. People get killed every day doing stuff like that. Incredibly unwise and dangerous.
omegaflame
Member
- Joined
- Aug 13, 2010
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- 186
You ASSUME he was just going to yell.
Regardless of what he did to instigate it, he most certainly defused it.
Rail Driver
Member
The problem here, omegaflame, is that had the OP not instigated the situation, there would be no situation to defuse or de-escalate.
Covering your butt after you screw up is something career politicians do, and it's generally looked down upon in my experience.
Covering your butt after you screw up is something career politicians do, and it's generally looked down upon in my experience.
LRS_Ranger
Member
He didn't necessarily defuse it.. The guy could have chased him down the freeway, caused an accident, or followed him till he ran out of gas. Poking the bear and pouring gas on flammable situation is never a good way to handle something. I'm not saying not to prepare for a possible confrontation, just don't eff with the guy and piss him off more..
ForumSurfer
Member
I agree.
The situation described in the op's post is a long, long way from diffusing the situation. He simultaneously instigated the situation farther as he removed himself from it.
If I had done that, he could have gotten my plate number and reported me as harassing him had I not reported the incident. Factor in nearly 12" wide tires throwing chunks of road debris, rocks, rubber and whatever else is on the shoulder at the guy and I could possibly be facing charges with a creative lawyer.
oasis618
Member
This thread has turned into a bigger deal than the original situation.
I don't see ANYTHING wrong with what he did.
Had he allowed the guy to continue following, the irate driver could have attempted running him off the road, or caused a much larger accident with bystanders involved. Who's to say he won't shoot from a moving vehicle? You really need to open your eyes and think about all the possibilities. Firearms will work in or out of vehicles. Ruling out the use of a firearm by someone else simply because you haven't stopped your car is stupid to say the least.
I had a similar situation happen to me a few years ago, except I was the one who was nearly hit by another car. I honked, just because I thought they didn't see me, and had they not swerved back, impact was imminent. Instead of the other driver getting a wake-up call and driving more safely, he followed me for a good 30 min through rush-hour traffic. He nearly ran me off the road several times and showed blatant disregard for human life. We got stuck in a congested area, so I drove into a vacant parking lot and stopped.
He pulled ahead, and as soon as he turned his car off and opened his door, I hit the gas. The delay I got by making him re-enter his car and restart the engine allowed me to escape.
Now, before you make any smart remarks and armchair-quarterbacking, my phone was not immediately available to me. It was in a bag in the back of my truck. I had no way of calling for help, other than trying to attract attention.
It's a smart move. You have to be ready to hit the gas as soon as they're out of the car. That extra time is all you need to get away.
Had he allowed the guy to continue following, the irate driver could have attempted running him off the road, or caused a much larger accident with bystanders involved. Who's to say he won't shoot from a moving vehicle? You really need to open your eyes and think about all the possibilities. Firearms will work in or out of vehicles. Ruling out the use of a firearm by someone else simply because you haven't stopped your car is stupid to say the least.
I had a similar situation happen to me a few years ago, except I was the one who was nearly hit by another car. I honked, just because I thought they didn't see me, and had they not swerved back, impact was imminent. Instead of the other driver getting a wake-up call and driving more safely, he followed me for a good 30 min through rush-hour traffic. He nearly ran me off the road several times and showed blatant disregard for human life. We got stuck in a congested area, so I drove into a vacant parking lot and stopped.
He pulled ahead, and as soon as he turned his car off and opened his door, I hit the gas. The delay I got by making him re-enter his car and restart the engine allowed me to escape.
Now, before you make any smart remarks and armchair-quarterbacking, my phone was not immediately available to me. It was in a bag in the back of my truck. I had no way of calling for help, other than trying to attract attention.
It's a smart move. You have to be ready to hit the gas as soon as they're out of the car. That extra time is all you need to get away.
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