| Author | Message | ||
     Rick_a |
So the wife was taking me home from work in her little Honda Fit Sport like any other day (the Buell needs some assembly) and this guy in a ten plus year old Mercedes decides to brake check us unexpectedly on a 35mph surface street. He locked up his brakes and caused her to stop suddenly...luckily with some room to spare. I was livid...not only was it completely unwarranted (not like there's ever a valid reason to do such a thing), as she had left plenty of distance behind him, and our 5 month old baby was in the car. I urged her to follow him home. Once there I had some choice words for him. I expected him to at least acknowledge some wrong doing and show the slightest bit of concern for our little occupant. Instead he blared about us being "on his ass" (in reality we were about two and a half car lengths away and traveling at the speed limit) and came at me with an 8 foot long, 4" diameter piece of lightweight PCV pipe, telling me to get off his property. I smartly exited his property and stood on the street waiting to see what this joker was going to do next. His "weapon" may as well have been a large wiffle bat, and he had moved himself too close to me to have gotten any useful leverage out of it, anyway. I felt I'd have more of a legal right to defend myself standing my ground off his property if I was struck. I watched his posture change as he began raising the pipe as if to take a swing. I warned him that if he touched me with the pipe he'd be sorry he did. Apparently to deter my attacking him (which I found quite comical), he read our plate numbers out loud. He then began to retreat to his home threating to "fill me with lead." He seemed pretty scared at this point and I let him know that it wouldn't be a good idea either as I could do the same and that I'm a damn good shot. At this point he moved to his door and I had enough of the bullsh*t as well and got back in the car. The A-hole was brazen enough to blow my wife a kiss to which he got the bird from the both of us. Either he's never read the warning on his rear view or he's just a first class A-hole. | ||
| Corporatemonkey |
Umm dude, why would you ever follow somebody home with your kiddy in the car? By you showing up at his house, you in essence were backing him into a corner. What if he had grabbed something more substantial that a pvc pipe? I wasn't there, and I am not going to pretend I was, but in situation like what you described a nice LONG horn blast is usually more than sufficient to sort someone else out. | ||
| Rick_a |
The guy had turned off and I had the wife double back. Everyone else remained in the car at a safe distance. If he had grabbed something more substantial the situation would not have changed. The problem with these situations is that they are so impersonal that people don't consider the ramifications of their actions. Everyone's a tough guy when they're safe in their cage. I was expecting for him to attempt to strike me. In fact I was hoping to incite such a response. He was in no corner as I wilingly gave him the span of his entire property, and he obviously had the option of retreating to the safety of his home. (Message edited by Rick_a on May 31, 2007) | ||
| Luvthemtorts |
Sounds like a bit too much testosterone going on my friend. Learn to relax and just chalk it up as life experience even if it was a crappy one. Here in Va. if you rearend someone it almost always means you were following to close in the eyes of the law. If the proper following distance was being observed your statement of "luck" would not have been needed to avoid a collision. (Message edited by luvthemtorts on May 31, 2007) (Message edited by luvthemtorts on May 31, 2007) | ||
| Irideabuell |
I had a similar situation happen to me a few weeks ago with my wife and son in the car too. A lady (actually, I think a grandmother) slammed her brakes on in the middle of a 45 mph road to let a car enter an apartment complex while we both were doing 45. I had to stand on the brakes and let her have it with the horn for better than 15 seconds. I was furious. She just waved like it was no big deal. Well, as luck would have it, my son quickly pointed out as I sat down in the dark theatre after a trip to the snack bar that the lady and her two grand kids were sitting right in front of us. Wow!!! This was priceless. I leaned down and asked the lady why she had decided to stop so abruptly in front of me when there was nobody behind me and that car could easily have entered the complex after both of us passed. Needless-to-say, she was shocked to see it was me and kind of stumbled over her words and apologized profusely. After I apologized for letting her have it with the horn and making up (like good adults do), she informed me that both her grandkids gave her "hell" over it too. | ||
| Cochise |
.......After I apologized for letting her have it with the horn and making up (like good adults do), she informed me that both her grandkids gave her "hell" over it too. Ahh, you should have gut checked her right in front of her grand kids and showed that broad how the real world works. Right Rick?  | ||
| Irideabuell |
I might have had my wife and son not been with me. | ||
| Corporatemonkey |
Ahh, you should have gut checked her right in front of her grand kids and showed that broad how the real world works. Right Rick   | ||
| Tdiddy |
I must be getting passive. The guy was a assole, true but he didn't really do anything but prove how good a driver your wife is. | ||
| Djkaplan |
I wasn't there, of course, but I'm going to go out on a limb and propose that all parties are guilty and should retire to their corners. | ||
| Cowboy |
Following a man home is not a smart move, sounds like a good way to come down with a severe case of lead poising. Just go ride you will feel better. | ||
| Ryker77 |
That is why I buy the $$$ good tires for my car. Even if they only last 20-30k miles. I know I can stop when needed. | ||
| Slaughter |
Never corner somebody unless you PLAN to fight. Never fight unless you're willing to cut out and eat the guy's liver. Otherwise realize that if he's over the age of maybe 5 or 6, you're NOT going to change his behavior. | ||
| Kdan |
Next time, just write down his home address and sign him up for lots of internet porn and "free" siding offers. Retribution can take many forms. | ||
| Staindus |
I would have done the same Rick, but I am not sure if I would have been able to hold back from grabbing the PVC pipe and proceed to do some batting practice with his head. | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
Sometimes people just NEED a A$$ whoopin' | ||
| Rotzaruck |
In managing to make it to my present old age, I have learned the most effective way to deal with jerks on the highway is a friendly wave and the biggest brightest smile you can manage. It's not at all what they expect, and leaves them shocked and may even encourage them to try to act a little better. Well, okay it does shock them. Also, it's much easier than fighting, or dodging bullets, and will actually lower your own blood pressure. Rotzaruck!!! | ||
| Hughlysses |
In managing to make it to my present old age, I have learned the most effective way to deal with jerks on the highway is a friendly wave and the biggest brightest smile you can manage. It's not at all what they expect, and leaves them shocked and may even encourage them to try to act a little better. My former next door neighbor had one guy try to fight him for doing that! You just never know what kind of psycho you're going to run into on the road. Better to leave them alone unless forced to do otherwise. | ||
| Oldog |
Rick I understand you irritation at him. I'm glad that HE refrained from further stupidity, and that you and your family were other wise unhurt. Yesterday I had to put a clod in an old beat up olds in front of me ( I was on the sled ) he was following to close and was busy joking and smoking (on cell phone) after nearly rear ending me I truned around on the saddle and shook my head vigorously [ NO-NO ] , still too close I whipped into one of those stripped areas where lanes end ( out of the normal traffic flow ) and grabbed the brakes hard, as he sailed past he leans out the window and screams some thing at me he then returns to his conversation juggling the phone and his cigarette The truck infront of him slows and stops and he just misses it. Eventualy he won't stop in time. I would be willing to bet that he was not wearing his seat belt either so his education will likely be a painfull one when the time comes. That guy you had words with is not worth the trouble, he will pull that stunt infront of some one who is NOT paying attention and get his mertz and his a$$ bent for his stupidity. Yestarday I watched as a ambulance pulled to an intersection lights and sirens going and several cars continued through the intersection holding the rescurers up for close to a minute Seeing auto drivers do these things makes you wonder for sure. | ||
| Jandj_davis |
I was driving with my son and wife in the car just yesterday and someone decided they wanted to be in my lane right as I was coming past them (surface street, 35 mph). They were likely old (I didn't look), as they were driving pretty slow and it would have taken them two blocks to complete the lane change at the rate they were going. My wife freaked out and yelled at me, but I just goosed it a bit and moved more to the right (I was in the right lane, they were in the left). In my opinion, unless someone does something intentionally stupid, there is no need to get worked up. However, if that person had intentionally cut me off or brake-chacked on me, I would probably have the same reaction as Rick. There is no doubt in my mind that no good will ever come of a situation like that, you both end up looking like @$$-holes, but there is a little bit of personal satisfaction in it that could justify the reaction. | ||
| Tx05xb12s |
I feel your pain Rick. People can really make you wonder if they're even part of the human race sometimes. However, try to contain your anger. Show a good example to your wife and child by being bigger than the average knothead. In Texas, the guy didn't necessarily violate any traffic laws based on what you wrote above, but you did violate a law by trespassing on his property. In this state a property owner has no duty to retreat and could have utilized deadly force to maintain his right to enforce the boundaries of his private property. You took a chance because you got your feelings hurt. Try to not be so sensitive. That could have gone very badly. What if he had quick access to a weapon and he had felt threatened (which he probably did)? For that matter, be mindful that millions of people legally tote a weapon out in public as well. What if you picked a fight with the wrong guy? Though I would have wanted to do the same thing you did, I would probably have stopped just short of entering his property out of concern for the safety of my wife and child (not to mention myself being the principle bread winner). That guy could have planted you in his front yard and been home from filing a statement in time for supper. Be careful buddy; go hit a punching bag on the back porch and knock back a beer or two while you tinker on your sled or something. Take care. | ||
| Loose_cannon_1203cc |
I would have done the same Rick. Difference between us is once he grabbed a weapon, eben if it is a pvc pipe, I would have whooped his ass. He endangered your kid and your scared your wife. F him. | ||
| Djkaplan |
If anyone ever follows me home, they better have a plan... and life insurance. | ||
| Cowboy |
I got my permit a long time ago to carry a conceled pistol. I am legal in 26 states. I am to old to be threatened and so are many more people. procede with caution. | ||
| Wtcardr |
My wife and I were both riding our bikes thru Atlanta, her on the street glide, me on the uly. A car cuts us both off, driver talking on the cell phone. We both slowed okay, and then eventually passed the car. My wife as we passed, held her hand up to helmet as if talking on the phone and we got off at the next exit. The driver of the car did not like my wifes gesture and almost ran over me on the exit ramp. I motioned for her to speed up and the faster we went, the faster the car went, right on my ass. Finally, when the speeds reached excess of 90mph and we saw a cop the car got off us. It was so blatant that some members of a motorcycle club to remain nameless stopped at the same gas station as us and said they pulled up beside them and had words with them. I informed my lovely wife not to make gestures at people in cages as the 600lb rule vs. the 3000lb rule!!!!! | ||
| Doerman |
Keep this in mind. Twelve percent of the US adult population is on some sort of medication for mental disorders. A confrontation with such a person does not change or resolve anything. Move on and forget it. | ||
| Rainman |
I certainly understand, Rick, but I have to give out this little warning: In the past two months we have done two stories on small fistfights that ended in manslaughter/murder charges because one guy knocked the other down and the one who fell hit his head on the curb/pavement and died three days later from head injuries. It's a fine line from simple assault to manslaughter and it's the difference between life and death and a 30-day suspended sentence or three years. Take care of YOURSELF and the hell with the jerks! | ||
| Buellshyter |
Unfortunately, since you followed the man home YOU would have been at fault had it escalated. | ||
| Ryker77 |
600lb rule vs. the 3000lb rule!!!!! Twelve percent of the US adult population is on some sort of medication for mental disorders It's a fine line from simple assault to manslaughter I too have been guilty of chasing down a person - mexican taxi cab.. But now I try and stay calm and in control. My physical size, martial arts training, and military training can and would be used against me in a court of "law". Too many people watch TV and think that a fight is a fight. One simple punch to the HEAD can and has caused people to die. One simple hip toss on real concrete curb will cause real harm. Real life is not a TV set or even a Judo mat. Real life is getting put behind bars or getting sued to lose your house. -- Don't be afraid to call 911 and most state patrols also have a speed dial number. In Ga their is a very stiff road rage fine. | ||
| Phatkidwit1eye |
I will never understand how "older" people think fighting is ok. By older I mean those over the age of 18. School yard scrapes are one thing. Most of the time they are nothing more than missed punches and some pushing. Seriously, if someone now wants to fight me, my only goal is to quickly disable you and end the fight by any means necessary with the least amount of harm done to me. I have never picked a fight in my life for that very reason. The whole "put up your dukes" stuff is total BS and only happens in the movies. |
