What should I have done?

[thx712517]

Okay, what should I have done in this situation?

Me and Dad were in the Mazda at an intersection. Two lanes one way, two lanes the other way, with turning lanes for both directions of traffic. I was first in line in the turning lane on my side. In the other direction there were a number of SUVs and typical tall crossovers. Since the road curves, this meant I had a nonexistent sight distance until the cars in the other turning lane got out of my way. Traffic was heavy with few gaps.

As I was sitting there waiting for the other side to clear, a Ford Ranger pulled up behind me. When I didn't immediately lunge forward, he began to honk. He honked more and rolled forward until he was a few inches from my bumper. I got pretty pissed at this point and honked back, which made him roll even closer until all I could see out the rear view mirror was the grill on his truck. I gave him the finger, which was my bad, but he kept honking.

Now, I've never let someone else's impatience make me do something stupid, but I guess I panicked. I saw what I thought was a gap, so I floored it and went through the intersection, which was, thankfully, clear. He followed immediately behind me though, and almost got hit by a Honda Civic. He proceeded to tail gate me all the way up the side road (which was one lane in either direction and goes by a park), and then crossed the double yellow line and passed me on the left, pulling back in close to my front bumper.

I slowed way the hell down and let him get out of my way and out of sight. Now, I know I shouldn't have given him the finger and I probably shouldn't have honked either. Aside from those two things, what else could I have done to make the situation better?

[BFH miata]

RE: What should I have done?

people are freakin stupid. If I couldn't see what was coming, I would have sat there and waited for the turn arrow. If you pull out in front of someone and get nailed, it is going to be your fault. The cop isn't going to care if someone was honking at you.

At my previous job, there was a similar intersection and I wouldn't go if there was a big vehicle in the on coming turn lane because I couldn't see around it. One time some impatient SOB went around me and just barely avoided getting t-boned. Luckily for him he was in a v8 mercedes and he had enough omph to get out of the way when he saw a car coming up on him fast. If he had been in a civic or similar 4 cyl car, he would have been toast.

for the record, I probably would have given him the finger too at some point... it is my favorite mode of communications, despite my wife's complaints about it.

[thx712517]

RE: What should I have done?

I had thought about (after the fact) of hitting the hazard switch and pretending like the car was damaged, wave him around. I might remember that in the future. Dad wanted to shoot him. Maybe I'm just a wuss? Makes me wonder if people driving 350Zs get this kind of treatment.

[jesseealexander]

RE: What should I have done?

well, in intersections like what you described, i always pull out into the middle (not into lanes of traffic, you know what i mean) so that worst case, i have to wait for the light to change and then i get to go through. theres nothing illegal about it, but you can only do it being the first car in the line. i get pissed when people dont do it and im the second car back, because usually if they pull out i stay close behind them and get through.

[thx712517]

RE: What should I have done?

Yeah, I'm familiar with forcing through an intersection at the end of a light. I'm surprised I didn't try it this time, it would have gotten him off my butt. Then again he might have just smashed into my bumper when I didn't keep going....

[Roadster]

RE: What should I have done?

I'd continually give them the finger and hold my position. Not putting my life on the line for some impatient *******.

[ben91]

RE: What should I have done?

There is no magic correct solution.

Let's start with what NOT to do.
Do not allow the subject to anger you. When angry, you will react off emotion instead of intelligence.
Do not put your safety, your property, and the safety and property of passing motorists in jeopardy. This means do not perform any maneuvers unless you are 100% certain that you will not cause an accident.
Do not intentionally instigate further anger and potentially direct contact with the subject. I have been very guilty of doing this in the past, the last time resulted in direct contact by a crazed, armed motorist. Luckily no one was hurt.

What works? Anything that will keep you safe and defuse the situation.
This is what I have done, and will continue to do from now on: Swallow your pride. Let the guy honk, and pull over in a manner to let the subject pass. Wave him on, and by wave I don't mean with your middle finger. Don't get angry, just let him by.
Catch his plate number as the subject's vehicle passes. Call 911 and report him as a drunk driver. Give the operator the plate number, general description of the vehicle, and last known heading. Do not follow closely. Stay calm and breathe. It's not worth getting your blood pressure up.

I used to do other things to "stand my ground" ie honk back, flick off, not pull into traffic when a hole does come along or not go when the light changes, brake check, drive 15 mph under the speed limit then deny the pass, etc. Ultimately, acting as such brings you to the same level, and while perhaps momentarily satisfying, the dangers of the situation are too great. If you don't create an accident between yourself and the subject, it's still possible that you're putting innocent passing by vehicles at risk. Or, in the case of what happened with me, the subject will exit off the interstate with you and come at you with a weapon
when you get stuck in traffic on the off ramp.

Also bear in mind you don't know why the subject is driving in a crazed manner. He could just be an impatient dick. Or he could be rushing a seriously injured passenger to the hospital. Or he could have just murdered his entire family with a chainsaw and was on his way to Mexico. Or he could be rushing to the hospital to have a last minute with a loved one who was fatally injured and about to die. Or he could have just robbed First Federal and the cops were right behind. Whatever the case may be, you will never know the truth, but you don't need to be a part of it, so just get of this way and let him go. But if you call the plate in, and the guy is drunk, perhaps the cops will get him off the street. Or if he has an injured passenger, they can provide a rolling road block and/or medical assistance. Or if he is a bank robber, then you just gave them a last known heading.

Be smart out there. There is nowhere you need to be, that you can't get there 20 seconds later.

[thx712517]

RE: What should I have done?

I guess I feel like my problems aren't enough to bother 911. I mean, in both the Miata and the work truck I've come across some seriously deranged people, but what's a 911-worthy call? I don't want to be calling them on something they can't take care of or don't care about.

[jesseealexander]

RE: What should I have done?

^^ the 911 thing is only necessary in a REALLY bad situation, i.e. a weapon, or if you feel like safety is SERIOUSLY compromised, which in your case, i dont and i doubt you do either.

[simontibbett]

RE: What should I have done?

Wow you handled it well. Honestly I would have sat there FOREVER. Or just threw both hands up flicking him off. I might have even shut the car off. I hate drivers like that.

Once a guy was tailing me on this backroad and I was in a bad mood. So I SLAM on the brakes, and he backs off and then tails me REALLY CLOSE. So I REALLY SLAM ON THE BRAKES. Like lock wheels up and STOP in the middle of the road (this is late, backroad, no traffic). I then throw it in reverse so my reverse lights come on. Well he does to and backs up away from me and I continue. He stayed VERY VERY far back LMFAO.

[Jack-MX5ATLanta.com]

RE: What should I have done?

:lol: That's hilarious simon :lol:

I would have turned the car off, got up and politely explained to the maniac why I am not moving. In Queen's English of course.