Road rage incident... Would would you do?

[flyfishinjunkee]

I was driving home yesterday on the highway in traffic. The guy in front of me is on his phone texting in the left lane weaving back and forth under the speed limit etc. I bumped my horn, did not lay on the horn, hoping he would get over (didnt tailgate him, flip him off or ANYTHING of the sort). The guy immediately STOPS in the middle of the interstate gets out and approaches my vehicle. In traffic there was not an easy way around this guy and this happened quickly! My window was open.. He approaches and stands outside the driver window and starts yelling saying he's sick of people honking blah blah blah. I didnt say a word and stared at him stone faced. He got back in his car and left. 

 

I was not carrying at the time and maybe it's a good thing I wasn't. This incident made me think hard about what I would have done if I had a pistol with me. What would you have done IF carrying in a situation like this and someone approached you?



Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

[BearBio]

You handled it right!

Now, if there was a big disparity in size, age, level of intoxication, etc or he had a weapon or actually physical threatened you, all bets are off!

[apollo99]

I would have dialed 911, even in states where cell phones are legal, distracted driving is not.

[flyfishinjunkee]

Originally Posted by apollo99

I would have dialed 911, even in states where cell phones are legal, distracted driving is not.

I did dial 911 after he got in his car. They told me I would need to stop and wait for an officer to file a "report" They had no interest in taking his information. I told them just forget it.

Guessing they would have told me the same if I was calling to report this prior to tooting my horn.....

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

[OKFC05]

I would not have blown my horn in the first place. Jerks who are driving rudely are usually looking for an excuse to fly off the handle, and I want no interaction with them. If anything, I give them extra room.
I live in a small town now, but spent many years driving in places like Washington, DC, seeing wrecks every day, most caused by anger, rudeness, and arrogance.

[redfox302]

Originally Posted by flyfishinjunkee

I was driving home yesterday on the highway in traffic. The guy in front of me is on his phone texting in the left lane weaving back and forth under the speed limit etc. I bumped my horn, did not lay on the horn, hoping he would get over (didnt tailgate him, flip him off or ANYTHING of the sort). The guy immediately STOPS in the middle of the interstate gets out and approaches my vehicle. In traffic there was not an easy way around this guy and this happened quickly! My window was open.. He approaches and stands outside the driver window and starts yelling saying he's sick of people honking blah blah blah. I didnt say a word and stared at him stone faced. He got back in his car and left. 

 

I was not carrying at the time and maybe it's a good thing I wasn't. This incident made me think hard about what I would have done if I had a pistol with me. What would you have done IF carrying in a situation like this and someone approached you?



Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

If it was me. I would have slow down and let him have his way or find another way around him. EVEN, If it requires me to drive another 2 blocks out to get it my destintation.

Carry or not I would not bump head with anyone. Carry doesn't give me the power/right over anyone or anything.

Analyzing your situtation, Your life were not grave danger, so pulling out a pistol can and may cause you greater harms. What if he is also carry. And you were to use your piece for intimations and not fire. Who do you think will get the 1st shot off?

My takes, "It's harder to save a life then to take one."

Stay Claim and Safe.
Red

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

[kraynky]

If I see that kind of behavior in a vehicle around me, I find a way around them. I've been known to pull over on a two lane road and just get out of the car and stretch, walk around the car, check email, whatever it takes to put some distance between myself and an idiot. I only honk my horn if someone is about to back into me or doesn't see me where it matters that they do.

I think you did the right thing once he forced you to stop, but that was not a good situation to be in. What if he just wanted to punch you in the face and then feel better and move on? Best to not let bozos get in range. I think I would have rolled my window up if a fellow was approaching me with apparent anger, at the very least.

Thankfully it turned out okay. Definitely not a reason to pull a weapon.

[Triggernosis]

Originally Posted by flyfishinjunkee

I did dial 911 after he got in his car. They told me I would need to stop and wait for an officer to file a "report" They had no interest in taking his information. I told them just forget it.

Guessing they would have told me the same if I was calling to report this prior to tooting my horn.....

Yep, that's exactly what has happened to me in the past here in my state.


As for me, I certainly wouldn't have pulled out a weapon, but I definitely would have had my hand on it. If he reached inside the car, then he would have seen it for sure.

[otasan56]

Originally Posted by flyfishinjunkee

I did dial 911 after he got in his car. They told me I would need to stop and wait for an officer to file a "report" They had no interest in taking his information. I told them just forget it.

Guessing they would have told me the same if I was calling to report this prior to tooting my horn.....

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

There's never a cop when you need one. Perhaps pepper spray here would have worked.

[vytoland]

what would i have done..............

1. DO NOT blow horn...it aggravates the crazies

2. back off of dangerous drivers, get around them when it is safe.

3. go home, park myself on the couch, accompanied with a party size bag of Cheetos and a cold Guinness.....

[bigwheelzip]

Like others have said, I'd not use the horn, just put some extra space between us, and phone the PD if the driver is a danger.

[THE PILGRIM]

When you blow that horn,
You are activating a situation!

[Rpg]

I would not honk the horn.

I would not try to get around this guy.

I like to keep bad drivers in front of me where I can see them - way in front of me. Trying to get around these folks just gets me closer to a dangerous situation. I avoid dangerous situations.

[apollo99]

vytoland, is that the pub draft, the stout or the blonde. You really have to be more specific when you post about Guinness.

[Rustyt1953]

If I see someone driving as you described, I get the plate # and report it. Then I do what I can to maneuver away and carry on with my day.

I haven't and don't involve myself with angry motorists, especially while carrying as It can quickly take me to a place I really don't want to go.

[nachogrande]

If on one of my better days, I'd of just gone around him & forget about it & the phone call. Engaging in ANY fashion with an idiot driver would be a full time job. Kinda doubtful but the guy in the other car just might be crazier than me.

[gwpercle]

Any person who will stop in the middle of the Interstate , get out with traffic around and walk back to a car to yell at them has a serious case of the screaming stupids...you can't reason with insanity....you did well by not antagonizing him...that's what they want !
Besides rolling up the window , you did the right thing .
And shooting him would have been a BIG mistake..just do not interact with raging idiots...it's a no win situation.

As for honking the horn....mine stopped working and I never knew it ...a two year car inspection turned it up...the inspector passed my car anyway . I'm afraid to honk at people around here they just start shooting .
Gary

[Warren Sear]

No horn, no finger, no phone call. Just get past the driver as best you can and move on. I try to never be in a situation where could be boxed in. Never stop, no matter what. Pulling a gun is a last resort, only.

[otasan56]

Originally Posted by Warren Sear

No horn, no finger, no phone call. Just get past the driver as best you can and move on. I try to never be in a situation where could be boxed in. Never stop, no matter what. Pulling a gun is a last resort, only.

That's right. It is the last resort. There are many lawyers out there listening for gunfire.

[tlawler]

Originally Posted by flyfishinjunkee

He approaches and stands outside the driver window and starts yelling saying he’s sick of people honking blah blah blah.

That part is hilarious! It’s like a Bill Engvall “here’s your sign” joke. Some day he’ll get his and it’ll be a trooper hitting the siren instead of someone honking. You did the right thing by de-escalating the situation. Whether or not you were carrying is immaterial in my view. It stays concealed anyway unless the situation warrants clearing leather. I would have had mine close at hand, never visible, until he did something really stupid like pulling a gun. To make a comment like “maybe it was a good thing I wasn’t [carrying]” makes me want to say that maybe you need to rethink the whole reason you do carry. To paraphrase Mas Ayoob: Only in the gravest extreme. I won’t go into whether you should have beeped your horn or not, I wouldn’t have, but you handled it reasonably well from that point on.

[loknload]

I don’t get involved with idiots like that! As soon as I can I hit the pedal and put a safe distance between them!
I call it the Hammering the Hemi move! It works quite well I might add!

[diyj98]

I agree with the others that I wouldn't have honked the horn, but I agree you handled it best by ignoring him afterwards.

I try my best to swallow pride and let the horns, middle fingers, and curse words fly and just ignore them all.

[6518John]

I would let the trunk monkey handle.

YouTube

[Rustyt1953]

John, take as many likes as you want for the Trunk Monkey.

[Arik]

Originally Posted by Rustyt1953

John, take as many likes as you want for the Trunk Monkey.

You've never seen them? There's a whole bunch, including an option for your daughter's first date

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

[KSDeputy]

I am always armed, but am not going to shoot anyone unless my life is definitely in danger. Many people driving today turn into nuts once they get behind the wheel. I try and ignore them. I drive the speed limit, if they get too close to my back bumper, I slow down. I always try and drive in the far right lane. I recall two things my Dad taught me: the more you stir s*** the more it stinks, never get into a pi**ing contest with a skunk.

[686-380]

Originally Posted by tlawler

That part is hilarious! It’s like a Bill Engvall “here’s your sign” joke. Some day he’ll get his and it’ll be a trooper hitting the siren instead of someone honking. You did the right thing by de-escalating the situation. Whether or not you were carrying is immaterial in my view. It stays concealed anyway unless the situation warrants clearing leather. I would have had mine close at hand, never visible, until he did something really stupid like pulling a gun. To make a comment like “maybe it was a good thing I wasn’t [carrying]” makes me want to say that maybe you need to rethink the whole reason you do carry. To paraphrase Mas Ayoob: Only in the gravest extreme. I won’t go into whether you should have beeped your horn or not, I wouldn’t have, but you handled it reasonably well from that point on.

If someone commits to stopping traffic on the Interstate and leaves their vehicle, I'm going to assume the worst. I would have at least staged my weapon, such as it is (BG .380). Not brandishing but ready.

I would not have honked my horn though. I may have had my wife call 911 or even videoed the incident. If the knucklehead was buried in his phone, he likely wouldn't have noticed.

If alone, I'd simply give him a wide berth.

[pharmer]

35 years ago he would have caught the business end of the section of hardwood shovel handle I keep behind the seat of my truck for just such an occasion. I have transferred it to 4 pickups since 1987, haven't used it for one "tune up" since. I'm a nice old codger these days and knowing the "other guy's life" sucks bigtime is enough payback. Joe

[ParadiseRoad]

...I would have told him you have a short in the horn wire and it does that every so often...

[oneounceload]

Jerks who are driving rudely are usually looking for an excuse to fly off the handle, and I want no interaction with them.

No they aren't - they're too self absorbed

Personally, I would have laid ON the horn so the jerk got off the the damn phone and would have said the same had he gotten out of his car on a busy interstate.

Sorry, but sometimes you have to put these losers in their place. I have had those idiots in front of me - going TOO slow, barely keeping it between the mustard and the mayo (yellow an white lines), and I just lay on the horn to wake them up......Most seemed surprised that they got caught texting and driving. If the first offense without damage or harm was $1000 and 6 months loss of license, it might convince a few to not do it. Any damage or physical harm would triple that - at a minimum. Repeat offender means loss of license for life.

[gwpercle]

Trunk Monkey.....I had never heard of the trunk monkey...
The ads are just awesomely funny....Thanks for posting , the ads put a smile on my face !
Gary

[Rustyt1953]

Originally Posted by Arik

You've never seen them? There's a whole bunch, including an option for your daughter's first date

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

I've long known of Le Monkey de Trunk. I give John kudos for thinking of it as I am between meds.

Loves me some monkeys.

[flyfishinjunkee]

Thanks for the comments guys. Under the circumstances I feel it would have been difficult to Stage a gun. At least for me. This was a situation where I feel it was warranted though. I'm unsure if I could have properly staged the gun without him knowing it that quickly... This was the situation I have been thinking through. It seems so easy to make the wrong decision under this kind of pressure and that is precisely why you only use the pistol as a last resort in a life or death situation. Behind the keyboard it is easy to say what you would do but when put in the situation it's NOT that easy. In this case I'm trying to learn from my mistake..

What if he would have punched me in the face, etc? What then? Swing back? I wouldn't consider this a "life or death" situation even though he was bigger than me.. At what stage do you at least let him know you are carrying or engage the weopan if things start going south? Just trying to envision other scenarios so I'm more prepared for next time, which hopefully never comes.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

[SMSgt]

The horn is there for a reason. You endanger me, I'll honk. I really don't care if it upsets you.

[Warren Sear]

Originally Posted by flyfishinjunkee

...What if he would have punched me in the face, etc? What then? Swing back? I wouldn't consider this a "life or death" situation even though he was bigger than me.. At what stage do you at least let him know you are carrying or engage the weopan if things start going south? Just trying to envision other scenarios so I'm more prepared for next time, which hopefully never comes.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

Never, never, never get into a fist fight while wearing a gun. EVER. Just drive away.

Avoid a confrontation at all costs. If you honk your horn at him, that could be considered as escalating the situation if it ever goes to court.

Again, avoid any confrontation. Swerve around him, change lanes, etc. Leave the job of law enforcement to the professionals. They will "put him in his place" if needed.

[Triggernosis]

Originally Posted by flyfishinjunkee

Thanks for the comments guys. Under the circumstances I feel it would have been difficult to Stage a gun. At least for me. This was a situation where I feel it was warranted though. I'm unsure if I could have properly staged the gun without him knowing it that quickly... This was the situation I have been thinking through. It seems so easy to make the wrong decision under this kind of pressure and that is precisely why you only use the pistol as a last resort in a life or death situation. Behind the keyboard it is easy to say what you would do but when put in the situation it's NOT that easy. In this case I'm trying to learn from my mistake..

What if he would have punched me in the face, etc? What then? Swing back? I wouldn't consider this a "life or death" situation even though he was bigger than me.. At what stage do you at least let him know you are carrying or engage the weopan if things start going south? Just trying to envision other scenarios so I'm more prepared for next time, which hopefully never comes.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

At what point? For me, that point is when he breaks the plane of sticking his hands inside my vehicle, to punch me, strangle me, or whatever he plans to do to me. If you're hitting me in the face and we're not in a boxing ring with gloves and padded headgear on, I'm in fear for my life.
Once they stick their hands inside your vehicle, doesn't that fall under "castle doctrine" regs?

[Warren Sear]

Originally Posted by Triggernosis

At what point? For me, that point is when he breaks the plane of sticking his hands inside my vehicle, to punch me, strangle me, or whatever he plans to do to me. If you're hitting me in the face and we're not in a boxing ring with gloves and padded headgear on, I'm in fear for my life.
Once they stick their hands inside your vehicle, doesn't that fall under "castle doctrine" regs?

Who gives a rat's rear end? You are better off just driving away. I am not going to kill someone who wants to take a swing at me, when I could just drive away.

[dougb1946]

Goggle "road rage". Lots of techniques demonstrated by drunk Russian drivers. Backing up slowly (Russians will push a following car backwards), driving directly at the offending driver once he leaves the car, crushing him against the door, tag team fighting with or without clubs, and occasionally shooting up his car as you pass. The horn seems to be used in Russia in place of the brake or steering wheel-possibly due to training with the T34 tanks.

The purpose of driving is to get somewhere safely. Pepper spray, then leave the scene. The horn is just a fuse setting off others.

Having watched a few of the road rage vids, I am thinking about a dash camera. Just in case. I prefer to not engage idiots.

[Arik]

Originally Posted by flyfishinjunkee

I was driving home yesterday on the highway in traffic. The guy in front of me is on his phone texting in the left lane weaving back and forth under the speed limit etc. I bumped my horn, did not lay on the horn, hoping he would get over (didnt tailgate him, flip him off or ANYTHING of the sort). The guy immediately STOPS in the middle of the interstate gets out and approaches my vehicle. In traffic there was not an easy way around this guy and this happened quickly! My window was open.. He approaches and stands outside the driver window and starts yelling saying he's sick of people honking blah blah blah. I didnt say a word and stared at him stone faced. He got back in his car and left. 

 

I was not carrying at the time and maybe it's a good thing I wasn't. This incident made me think hard about what I would have done if I had a pistol with me. What would you have done IF carrying in a situation like this and someone approached you?



Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

This happened to a friend of mine about 15 years ago. He honked the horn at some guy who fell asleep at a stop sign. The guy gets out and approaches my friend. Now, my friend at the time is driving an old Honda CRX. If you remember those they we're very small and compact....my friend loved that car but he didn't quite fit in it so when the guy saw him all he saw was a little car and figured it was some kid honking at him. As he approached my friend gets out of the car and he has to literally unfold because he could pass for a body double for Dolf Lungren and as far as overall looks ...at 17 he was graying, had a goatee and could pass for a middle age man. Anyway, long story short that guy quickly back paddled, got in his car and peeled away

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

[Arik]

Originally Posted by Warren Sear

Who gives a rat's rear end? You are better off just driving away. I am not going to kill someone who wants to take a swing at me, when I could just drive away.

Yep! That^

Just avoid it. If you have an "exit", use it! I know it's a reaction to beep. 99.99999% of the time the person gets the message of the beep and proceeds but every once in a while a person takes it as a sign of personal disrespect. Best to just roll your eyes and go around. I know it may sound like preaching, it's not my intention. It seems like not that long ago I was laying on the horn in 1/10000 of a second if the light turned green and the guy in front of me wasn't already doing 50mph. I also seem to remember handing out the finger for free to anyone and everyone. Yea....dumb@@@@.... I know! However, that kid left long ago and today I just go with the flow.....like a leaf in the wind!!!!



Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

[Warren Sear]

Originally Posted by SMSgt

The horn is there for a reason. You endanger me, I'll honk. I really don't care if it upsets you.

Allrighty then...

[Whitwabit]

Always carry !! Ones attitude should always be to avoid trouble if possible !!

Although Road Rage is never permissible and should be reported !! honking your horn caused a situation which could easily have been avoided !!

Don't honk .. Call 911 .. Get around safely when possible !!

[Arik]

Originally Posted by SMSgt

The horn is there for a reason. You endanger me, I'll honk. I really don't care if it upsets you.

How is sitting in traffic "endangered" you?

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

[RobertJ.]

My driving philosophy for a while now has been:

If you sow courtesy, you'll reap courtesy. Therefore,

1. I know that there are poor drivers out on the road.

2. I try to spot them ahead of time.

3. I cut them as much slack as I possibly can.

4. I avoid them if at all possible.

But I do have a pepper spray in my car, besides my handgun!

[oneounceload]

Originally Posted by Arik

How is sitting in traffic "endangered" you?

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

Person not paying attention, drifting over the line........never have that where you live?

[andyo5]

You did right. This happened to me, except that the guy trapped me at a red light, got out of his car, and threatened me with a wooden bat. He went completely out of his mind and said that he would kill me the next time I "did that" (whatever he imagined that I had done). My window was rolled up. I opened it a crack so I could hear him, but so that he could not reach through. I talked him down to the point that he got back in his car and drove away. Good thing there were witnesses. If this had happened on a deserted road, he might have decided to pound the heck out of my car or try to break a window and come after me. I was not carrying at the time.
This incident made an impression on me. There are untold numbers of lunatics out there who are on a hair trigger and looking for someone to take it out on. I resolved three things:
1. Do nothing to aggravate the situation. If you see a loony, get out of his way and let him go by. Do NOT flip him the bird.
2. Be armed when you are in your car.
3. If confronted like I was, place the weapon on your lap and sit tight. Do not threaten him, but let him see the weapon so that he might know the risk he will be taking if he decides to go on the attack.

[Arik]

Originally Posted by oneounceload

Person not paying attention, drifting over the line........never have that where you live?

Originally Posted by RobertJ.

My driving philosophy for a while now has been:

If you sow courtesy, you'll reap courtesy. Therefore,

1. I know that there are poor drivers out on the road.

2. I try to spot them ahead of time.

3. I cut them as much slack as I possibly can.

4. I avoid them if at all possible.

But I do have a pepper spray in my car, besides my handgun!

Yea. Often a old person. Just go around. At no time have I ever felt "in danger". Not even from a person on the phone. Maybe if I was standing in the middle of the road

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

[Warren Sear]

^^^ I would have given him the horn, then the finger, then shown him my "poopin' face". Just kiddin'.

[snubbyfan]

Back in the day, if someone got out of their car and came at me like that, I woulda smashed his lips against his teeth. If I got a good enough shot in, he woulda lost some of those teeth. Amazing how blinding violence can deescalate a situation.

Now, I'd have probably done as you did. Let the moron go on his merry way.

Actually, I wouldn't have tootled my horn. Usually, I just back off and keep an eye on 'em.

[686-380]

Regardless of what you SHOULD have done, you came out unscathed.

As a bonus, we all get to think about how we would react. I had an incident, not to this degree, where I didn't have my weapon where I needed it. Thankfully, I didn't escalate the situation and the knucklehead proceeded on his way. It was a big wake up call for me. Thanks for sharing!