Road Rage!

[eureka40]

Very sound and sage advise. I couldn't agree more.


But you can always holler Douche Nozzle out the window.

[Rikk101]

Excellent advice, Texas Dan..............I actually had someone do this to me a while back, and it worked. The guy was in the middle lane on the freeway, and I was in the left, going faster than he was. He was coming up behind someone going slower than he was, so he moved into the left lane directly in front of me and I had to hit my brakes to avoid running into him. My reflex was to lay down on my horn as I hit the brakes. He obviously did not see me and immediately moved back into the center lane as soon as he past the other car. I glared at him as I went by, and he gave me that signal..........took the rage right out of me, and I then felt foolish for reacting like an ass! ( After that I could'a had a beer summit with him!)

[johnson0317]

Texas Dan,



That is my usual routine, now. There was a time when people got my obscene yell or finger gesture. It was something that I immediately decided to change about myself when preparing myself for my CHL. There are still times I get exercised, but then I remember there is a lethal weapon in my car and there does not need to be an idiot within reaching distance of it.

RJ

[Texas Dan Mosby]

I actually had someone do this to me a while back, and it worked. The guy was in the middle lane on the freeway, and I was in the left, going faster than he was. He was coming up behind someone going slower than he was, so he moved into the left lane directly in front of me and I had to hit my brakes to avoid running into him. My reflex was to lay down on my horn as I hit the brakes. He obviously did not see me and immediately moved back into the center lane as soon as he past the other car. I glared at him as I went by, and he gave me that signal..........took the rage right out of me, and I then felt foolish for reacting like an ass!

That was YOU!!????







Just kidding.

Seriously though, that is the usual reaction I get from drivers when I dork something up, which is not too often mind you. I don't know if it's the hand, the stoic expression, or the combination, but it seems to suck all the rage right out of their system somehow....kind of like a Jedi mind trick or something.

When it's the OTHER driver doing the stupid stuff, I think they are just plain shocked that you aren't throwing a fit that rattles them.

Regardless, the technique certainly makes driving a little less stressful for all involved, which is good.

[speedsix]

Texas Dan,



That is my usual routine, now. There was a time when people got my obscene yell or finger gesture. It was something that I immediately decided to change about myself when preparing myself for my CHL. There are still times I get exercised, but then I remember there is a lethal weapon in my car and there does not need to be an idiot within reaching distance of it.

RJ

...very well put...I had one fly up on my bumper about 20 over the posted speed as I turned out of a subdivision...and rode my bumper giving me the full treatment...pulled up beside me cussin' at the light...then passed me and played stomp the brakes in the middle of the road about 4 times...to a full stop...I made it a point not to react...didn't even look at him...got his license and called him in...told the po-po where we were headed...he turned into a big shopping center lot and got lost real quick...the cop showed up and I told him the details...he ran the plate and said he was going by to talk to the idiot...I told him to tell the guy he'd been trying to pick a fight with an old fat ex-cop who was carryin' a .45...he laughed and promised he would...might have given him something to consider...maybe not...

[kjolly]

Texas Dan. I really liked your response. We all make mistakes on the road and things happen. I'm usually the first to back off and let someone in. Life is too short to become upset and Road Rage is an easy way of shortening that life.

I have a friend that I sometimes shoot with and when traveling together he is always exploding about something on the road and I try to use these as teaching experiences. Luky he doesn't have a CHL and I may have purposefully not mentioned MPA.

[schufflerbot]

A technique I have found to be highly effective for de-escalating potential traffic related "issues" is the employment of the "Hand of forgiveness"TM. Simply raise a hand as if to wave and hold in place long enough for them to see it, and then go about your business.

This non-verbal form of communication, used in conjunction with a stoic expression, seems to have a calming effect on other drivers in that it apparently signals either A.) "Yes, I acknowledge that you dorked that up, however, I forgive your indiscretion." OR B.) "Yes, I acknowledge that I dorked that up, forgive my indiscretion."

IMO, this simple act is effective because it acknowledges the situation without challenging the driver, or making a scene. Similar to an adult that doesn't lose their temper and simply acknowledges a child who just spilled a drink all over the table.

Everybody dorks something up on the road from time to time, and IMO, it's best to just put it aside and go about your business. Life is too short to stress out over silly stuff.

this X 1000.

[Dragonfighter]

When I screw up I make a point of apologizing, if not verbally with the hand up, all fingers extended. Seems to work.

I was at a shopping center and pulled across the through way to stand at the curb waiting for my wife. I did not see the van and we nearly clipped one another. He pulls over and gets out to walk back to my car, a pretty good size guy in his mid twenties. I roll down the window and start with, "I'm sorry, I simply didn't see you coming." He proceeds to rant and carry on standing outside my window. I very calmly say. "I am sorry, I have apologized and you need to go back to your car before this goes somewhere we'll both regret." He nodded and went back to his vehicle and I saw his wife/SO giving him what for.

I was carrying and in a compromising position, I am glad he took my advice or it would've been ugly. As an aside, I have noticed in the years that I have been carrying and almost immediately upon getting a chl, any tendency to pitch a fit has been dampened.

[johnson0317]

I would assume that, if someone said that to me in a sincere and calm tone of voice, that they probably have the ability to make it true. I would, however, be careful in what language you use as to avoid someone being able to successfully claim you threatened the use of deadly force, or that you intentionally escalated the conflict with language designed to inflame the other party, while being the only person in the conflict knowing that you were carrying a deadly weapon.

Just saying...

However, in spite of all that, I think you handled it well. I wonder what went through that guy's mind as he changed his mental gears?

RJ

[rdcrags]

any tendency to pitch a fit has been dampened.

I was never one to fly off the handle, but since carrying, I am extra careful to not escalate a situation. Several times, however, when my wife is driving, and she "moves her mouth" at an idiot driver, I have suggested to calm down as "I don't want to have to shoot the guy to save your life."

[tommyg]

I'm a motorcycle rider an idiot in a pick up came up

behind me blowing his horn and shaking his fist

I was going the speed limit

I turned into a parking lot and he followed

I went back on the street and rode between some cars stopped at a red light

The idiot was stuck in traffic. I ran the red light and kept going

never saw him again

Better to run a red light than get involver in a serous incident

[speedsix]

...pulled a regular Swamp Fox on him!!!