Ever have a situation awareness fail?

[Rastoff]

Absolutely no one can be even 90% aware of everything around them all the time. There was definitely a fail in the OP that points to a more egregious lack of awareness though because he didn't even know what the guy was upset about. I'm not bagging on Wheelygunner at all, we all get caught unaware. I'm just pointing out, and I think Wheelygunner is too, that he probably would have known what the guy was upset about if his awareness was just a tad better. Even more so, had he been paying closer attention, the situation might not have happened at all.


I play electric bass at my church. At an evening service I was concentrating on a difficult bass part during one song. As the song went on, two uniformed police officers came in, walked the length of the front of the stage, talked to the pastor and then all of them got up and left. I didn't notice any of it. It was something that was completely out of the ordinary and obviously out of place. There is even a chance that I looked right at them all. Alas, I was so focused on my own situation, I didn't see anything.

I've gotten better, but I completely understand what the OP is saying. Situational awareness is something that must be worked on. Don't get complacent.

 

[wingriderz]

I think you did fine. I would have done same in my working days pocket carry daily. No muffin for me but a big glup of high octane coffee

 

[Neumann]

Some people will stop and jump out of their car for trivial reasons, including going too slow (i.e., the speed limit) for their sensibilities. These sorts will usually telegraph their intentions by slowing down and/or craning their neck to see you in the rear view mirror. If they pass you, it is often accompanied with eye-balling you with various physical and verbal gestures. Ignore them, but be prepared to stop suddenly.

Let them vent, but don't acknowledge them nor reciprocate. It's not worth escalating the situation. Don't flash a gun either. That's the ultimate escalation.

I keep my doors locked and windows up in traffic. That buys time if things get hot. Enough time to draw from a pocket holster. I also leave enough space at a stop light to drive around a stalled car.

In the worst case, get out of there, on the shoulder or sidewalk if necessary, or back up to put space between you and the assailant. In the worst case, you have the same kinetic energy at 30 mph as a 105 mm howitzer.

It doesn't hurt to have a dash cam for evidence other than he-said he-said testimony. Just be sure you are not documenting your own transgressions, at least those likely to provoke a reasonable person.

I had one pick-em-up driver pull alongside the passenger side and eyeball me angrily. I think he saw my holstered pistol, because he disappeared after about a second.

 

[DevilDog72]

Sounds like you learned your lesson...stop beating yourself up. We all have times when we are not as sharp as we would like.

I tried the pocket carry thing for awhile... when seated it is a big problem to gain access quickly. I carry OWB only at 3:30... no matter if seated in a restaurant or in my truck I have ready access to my EDC.

This incident ended with no one being hurt..... that is a win.

 

[Steve K]

Like many have stated you did the right thing by not escalating the situation. We've all been in situations where a person became irate, but we don't know why. The encounter probably lasted a few seconds and by remaining cool it ended quickly without incident.

 

[richardw]

Backing up was not important. It is important to prepare to defend. You made one mistake. You left you pocket gun in your pocket and then strapped in. I carry a Remington 380 in my back posket in a holster. When I am going into a car, whether driving or not I take the holstered gun out of my pocket and place it where I can quickly reach it if need be. That will protect you more than backing up. If the guy was intending to shoot at you, he could have done it while you backed up. If you had the gun ready you could have dissuaded him from shooting.

 

[rog8732]

One of my biggest pet peeves is people who don't thoroughly read a post and jump to the wrong conclusions.**** ! Is there any chance this could be presented to a rules committee, for inclusion amongst the "stickies" ???

Your point about a situational awareness lapse is well taken here; mostly because as in your stated case, until it happens, there is no "situation"; unlike a venture into a ghetto dark alley.... And oh yeah; keep your pocket carry and add a second console gun.

 

[Camster]

I think that you handled it well.You encountered someone with a short fuse or paranoid.Your virtual lack of response in light of his out in the open dance, helped to defuse it.I've been in somewhat similar situations,ignoring them or a small apologetic wave is best in my opinion.If you had made a different gesture,hit reverse,or zoomed around him, it might have "game on". He vented his steam,but he also knew that longer that he was outside of his car,acting up,the more that he might look an idiot or hothead to other motorists......and who knows..he may had been rear ended in the past,and didn't want that to happen again.He might even have noted in his mirror that you were also distracted with your breakfast,which stepped up his worry.

 

[BE Mike]

I think that you handled it well.You encountered someone with a short fuse or paranoid.Your virtual lack of response in light of his out in the open dance, helped to defuse it.I've been in somewhat similar situations,ignoring them or a small apologetic wave is best in my opinion.If you had made a different gesture,hit reverse,or zoomed around him, it might have "game on". He vented his steam,but he also knew that longer that he was outside of his car,acting up,the more that he might look an idiot or hothead to other motorists......and who knows..he may had been rear ended in the past,and didn't want that to happen again.He might even have noted in his mirror that you were also distracted with your breakfast,which stepped up his worry.

Yes, we never know what is in another driver's mind. It could be just hunger, personal problems, drugs, or character flaws that lead to acting out. It is best to diffuse the situation, even at the expense of deflating our own egos for a second or two. This doubly applies when we are armed. As far as the driving part, distracted driving is a real problem. Following too closely can make me unhappy, especially when it is an 18 wheeler. I think too often we take driving much too lightly. It helps to try to develop better habits and put more attention into the process. A vehicle can be a dangerous weapon, as terrorists are now demonstrating. As the OP stated, planning ahead for a commute to work can make a big difference...just set the alarm a few minutes earlier.