Road Rage on the Tollway

[bubba1876]

I wouldn't worry too much about that guy driving the Mercedes. His going to do that to the "wrong" kind of person one day. Karma will get him.

[ScottDLS]

You shouldn't get in the way of my Mercedes on the Tollway!!!

Sorry, I just couldn't resist... I'm not sure I would have been as circumspect as you were. I probably would have drawn on the guy. Good argument that it would have been justified to do so. I don't know.

Before CHL and MPA I had a couple incidents of people "attacking" my car while I was in it. I came very close to "mule kicking" my door open as hard as I possibly could and knocking the attacker on his rear.

[LAYGO]

Good argument that it would have been justified to do so. I don't know.

Now you know:

http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/D ... 9.htm#9.31" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Sec. 9.31. SELF-DEFENSE. (a) Except as provided in Subsection (b), a person is justified in using force against another when and to the degree the actor reasonably believes the force is immediately necessary to protect the actor against the other's use or attempted use of unlawful force. The actor's belief that the force was immediately necessary as described by this subsection is presumed to be reasonable if the actor:

(1) knew or had reason to believe that the person against whom the force was used:

(A) unlawfully and with force entered, or was attempting to enter unlawfully and with force, the actor's occupied habitation, vehicle, or place of business or employment;

(Bold my emphasis)

[Bart]

All things considered, I learned a valuable lesson. Although I couldn't control this guys actions, I should make sure my phone is securely on or about my person so that I can access it and it won't go flying around of anythign should happen. Also, when confronted by an angry motorist, a firearm can be very comforting. Especially when it's Umbrella vs. Beretta. As I said my prayers with my daughter before bedtime, we prayed to find the man patience. As a daily traveler, I see too much of this and with holidays coming up, it will only get worse.

[bnc]

I'm glad that I don't have to drive on the North Dallas Speedway anymore, the whole area is pretty crazy.

In the situation of someone attacking your car I think the best thing to do is run away. If the BG happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time that's his problem.

[LAYGO]

I'm glad that I don't have to drive on the North Dallas Speedway anymore, the whole area is pretty crazy.

In the situation of someone attacking your car I think the best thing to do is run away. If the BG happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time that's his problem.

Hey, using a car as deadly force would be justified too.

[age_ranger]

It took me about 5 minutes to locate my phone once I got stopped in a safe area. I didn't get his plate number. Wish I had, but completely forgot. I was going over in my head what I should do......stay in the truck, get out and get some hard cover (a quick glance and there was none) I was hoping another motorist got the plate number but I'll probably never know.

Glad I didn't have to use my defensive handgun, but I wish people would realize that the put themselves in mortal danger by acting like this.

[CoreyI35]

As a tollway driver coming from Frisco, I deal with all these jackalopes for 2 hours of my life every day. Please remember that trouble can best be avaoided by staying out of the fast lane if you are not capable of maintaining the speed of the rest of the drivers in that lane. That way you don't irritate anybody who didn't need to be mad that day, and it keeps everybody in the lane they drive in the safest.

[lonewolf]

My experience is that it really doesn't matter what lane you are in. Someone always wants to go faster. Two lane farm road or six lane superhighway, there are always boneheads on the road. If they are in that much of a hurry to get where they are going, they should plan their departure accordingly and allow sufficient time to arrive. Use their heads for something other than a hat rack. I am not one of the people dragging my tail in the fast lane, but 85 in a 60 is just ridiculous. Cutting in and out of traffic is ridiculous. These things are not just a hazard to those who drive like that (if they want to splat themselves, that's their business,) but they are a hazard to others who are not driving like buffoons. Just be safe.

As for the situation the OP found himself in, you did well. I'm pretty sure had the window broken, you probably could have grabbed the umbrella, or kicked the door open and created some space that way. Your cell phone was out of reach. You do what you have to do. Hindsight is 20/20. You didn't get a plate number, so next time you probably will. You came out unscathed, that's the most important thing.

[ELB]

...This time, we're at the light near the Galleria. It turn red as we approach. GREAT. This guy gets out of his car and starts immediately towards my truck...........yelling and pointing while walking towards me, he stops to get an umbrella out of his trunk. ...

One of those other 20/20 hindsight kinda things: when pulling up to stop signs and lights, try to be in an outside lane, either next to the side of the road (if there is room there) or next to the oncoming lane, and leave enough room that you can drive away if some carjacker, robber, terrorist (in some locales) or pinhead with an umbrella suddenly makes a move. I would not be shy about driving on the side of the road or in the oncoming lane (obstacles and traffic permitting) to get away from a clown like that.

Your phone went flying, but apparently your gun did not -- that's good, you apparently had it secured. I have read some people put on the seat, but it probably would have joined your phone in its hiding place if you hadn't had it secured.

Great job overall.

[age_ranger]

Yeah, when we came down to the light, he was pretty hard on the brakes and I had to slam on mine pretty hard. This left me boxed in because the guy behind me was right on my bumper. Otherwise I would have simply drove around him to get away.

Dash Cam on order.............

[PeteCamp]

I have a recurring dream about how to deal with the 90mph idiots trying to kill everybody:



Sorry...I couldn't help it.

[quidni]

I have a recurring dream about how to deal with the 90mph idiots trying to kill everybody:

I tend to say a prayer that goes like this: Lord, please let that driver get where he's going, and without taking anyone else with him!

To the OP: good job, and it's definitely making me think about how I would want to respond in a similar situation.

[zero4o3]

I run into a decent amount of these people in houston, the most recent of which (the event that finally got me moving tog et my chl) I was headed home from work when I watched a guy in the far right lane get over as if to pass the person infront of them and then just smashed into the side of their car. at the moment I was not sure what was happening so being right behind then I pulled over into the gas station they stopped at, needless to say the driver started screaming like a mad man and then tried to hit my car before I even had my window down. after that he got out and ran over to his trunk, I left and called 911 to report a man who side swiped a ladys car and then that I saw him going for a weapon in his trunk.

after that, I can tell you teh only thing I would have done different then you is pulled my gun the minute he started to swing at my car.

[chuckybrown]

I had a similar incident a while back: viewtopic.php?f=26&t=32500" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;