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03Lightningrocks wrote:The only thing I would have done different...and have as a matter of fact is gotten my gun at the ready. I am not talking about throwing it up at him, I am talking about taking it out of the holster and keeping it just out of sight but in my hand. If that clown had rushed you while firing a weapon or even gotten to your window and smashed it out, while you were trapped in the car with your gun in the holster, he would have had a serious tactical jump on you. You would then be trying to draw your weapon while freaking out about this guy smashing your window out or firing a gun at you. It would be much better to be able to quickly raise your gun and return fire or even open the door and bail out while firing. trapped in a car is no place to be trying to draw and fire in a gun fight. In the car it is real easy to have your gun in your hand and still concealed down by your leg. All of this is only in the case of not being able to drive away. If you can drive off, this is always the best solution.

That's a good point. Had he actually fully gotten out of the car and started approaching, I'm guessing I would have at least had it ready as you said, but I don't know for sure. The one advantage I knew I had was that this particular light is a short red in the direction we were going, and I only had 1 car in front of me, so I knew the time was going to be short before it turned green again. If he had gotten out and I saw a weapon, I know I would have drawn and just prayed the light changed before I needed to use mine.

Wow! That is crazy. You were definitely watched over that day.

I am now in the same boat watching for this car each morning when I'm off to work. I figure we may have a similar schedule and could see each other again on that same road.
My car is somewhat distinctive, so he'd definitely recognize me. His was somewhat generic, but I took note of the color, make, and year. Also, he didn't have tinted windows and I remember what he looked like too. (I don't think he ever really saw my face though)

I sure hope I don't see him again, but it's a small world. I would think that if I did, he'd be settled enough now, but who knows. People are crazy.

Thanks for the additional stories and replies.
To answer the signal question, I don't think I used mine because both were quick responses. Especially the second lane change.
It's not illegal to pass or lane change in a school zone, but it's definitely illegal to do 20-40 mph over the speed limit! :) I really don't think I was in the wrong here at all. It was just one of those circumstances, and could have been avoided had he not been trying to fly through there or had I just stayed in my lane and had him go around me. Oh well.
I'm just glad it didn't turn into a confrontation. And the apologies were not going to be an admission of guilt necessarily, but just a "say anything to get him to leave or calm down."
I am pretty sure I'd handle it like the above story... after a few apologies if, he wasn't calm, I'd likely say something about "you had better leave now."

One thing that came out of it also for me was... why in the hell would you get out of your car to confront someone over a circumstance like that!?!?
I'm a normal, law-abiding guy, but was armed for my safety. Just think the odds of approaching a car these days and it having a gun. I'd imagine there are probably as many illegal guns in cars on the roads as legal, and put them together, if you approach a car out of anger... you're not putting yourself in a good situation! People really need to calm down.
I'm guessing that had he been alone, he would have come up to my car. I am betting that having the female in the car with him is what kept him from getting all the way out. The whole thing was way too close for comfort.

So, today I'm driving through my neighborhhod down the major boulevard. I'm in a school zone and doing the 20 mph limit. This car is coming up fast behind me. I move over and end up cutting him off. I think he was planning to pass me and we both moved to the same lane. Then I go to move back and so does he.  So, at this point I've cut him off twice.  He's hopping mad. I can see it. I just keep driving though. What else am I gonna do? Anyway he wants to pass still but now there's traffic and a light. (I don't blame him for being mad about being cut off, but he was also speeding about 30 mph over in a school zone so I don't feel "too" bad).

At the light, he's behind me yelling inside his car. He has a woman passenger and he's yelling still.

Then he opens the door to get out.   
I have my Glock 32 on my hip. That's the main reason I was nervous.  I didn't want to be in this situation. 

Tons of thoughts go through my head about how I'm going to react. My main thought was that I was going to apologize and apologize more. Anything to have him settle. I had decided that the Glock stays holstered until/unless I see a weapon and I'm not getting out of my car (will pedal down  when the light turns green). Basically, try to diffuse, then run away if possible. 

Luckily, he got back in his car. He only put one foot out then changed his mind. 

This was the first time I actually thought I might have to use my gun in a worst case scenario. Ugh. Bad feeling.  I sure hope to God that this is the closest I ever get. 

Just thought I'd share.