Disarming road rage

[Gouranga]

OK. So now twice in as many days I have been the focus of a road rager. The latest being today. It brings me to think, any strategies/tactics folks may have in dealing with these folks.

I mean I have the basics:
1. Do not engage in gestures, tit for tat aggressive tactics, etc
2. Do not pull over and confront.
3. As with a potential car jacker, try to avoid getting into a situation that leaves you with no escape route.

But let's say you are in this situation. Some dude is absolutely raging and driving about 12" off your bumper, swearing, flashing lights, honking, trying his darndest to get you to pull over. Now I think most of these folks are rational people 99% of the time. For some reason behind the wheel, they change and stupid things set them off and they start doing things, taking actions that endanger your safety. it does not meet the standard in most states to use lethal force and even if it did I do not think shooting at another vehicle is anywhere near a good or effective strategy. Engaging him with a vehicle or even remotely playing his game is going to lead him to escalate and endanger others on the road as well.

So with the goal of the strategy/tactics being to end the threat presented by a road rager, preferably by disarming his rage, but if that is not possible then by. getting out of the situation, altogether without needing force of any kind.

Anyone have any good tactics/strategies to apply to this type of scenario?

 

[Bullnettles]

Living in Houston, I'm starting to get over being mad, but I don't understand some of these jokers on the road. I have a fairly fast vehicle so I punch it if I can. If I can't, then I'm armed if they want to actually endanger my life by hitting my vehicle (complete stop and wait). Cops can be called, but they take FOREVER.

 

[omegaflame]

Call the police

 

[Gouranga]

Call the police

I agree with this (should add it as #4 to my previous list), however, many times in these parts, you may be 30-50 minutes away from any cop showing up. There are areas where there is no cell service. So while calling them (if you can) is a good idea. It establishes your attempts to avoid conflict if any comes and maybe gets you help, it is IMO, the first step of something else...some other steps to minimize/eliminate the threat.

To be clear I drive a Chevy Trailblazer. It has some kick. The guy the other day had what looked like a brand new Chevy Full size pick up. My initial attempt was to try to simply get far enough away/ahead that I could exit the interstate, cross back to the entrance ramp and wait for him to pass by. However, a TB with 140k miles on it is not beating that truck. he had no issues keeping up, when the speeds hit 90 mph, that was about as unsafe as I was willing to get with speed. I had previously switched lanes and slowed to let him get his chance to blast past me and flip me off and go on about his business. He was determined for a good while (or what seemed like a good while) to stick with it.

I was prepped, I had my firearm (not in the open) but set so I could get to it. I had my OC spray set so I could get to it. IF a confrontation was to occur I was a prepared as I could be. I think the win though in such an event is to avoid it altogether. For whatever reason he eventually ran out of rage, got bored, who knows, pulled back and exited.

I retrospect, I did NOT call the cops. Despite having my cell right on my hip, it simply did not occur to me with all I was doing trying to keep an eye on him. My worst worry was a firearm would be something he brought up.

 

[DoubleTapDrew]

Drive to the nearest police station.
If he actually starts hitting your vehicle, that's assault with a deadly weapon and usually the gloves will come off.

was prepped, I had my firearm (not in the open) but set so I could get to it.

Where? The FBI learned the hard way that your unholstered firearm will become a projectile in the event of a crash or sudden stop and you will not be able to get to it to save your bacon in time.

 

[Gouranga]

Where?

I this case I was heading to work. I had my laptop bag with me in the passenger seat (easily within reach) I have a pocket in that bag have used to carry in when times call for it and my usual IWB is not practical or possible. The weapon fits in easy, is easy to pull out, but is completely concealed from open view. My concern is I want it easy to get to without having to contort my body, but I do not want it out in the open like I am just sitting there itching for a fight. But yeah my bag does weigh maybe 40 lbs. which would easily fly away during a crash.

Was pretty remote, so the nearest police station was a bit away. The instance today I was headed towards the station when the guy took off (cause CALLING 911 would have been way to easy).

I guess it freaks me out because this is twice it has happened, and it was sudden and for completely retarded things. These guys were completely off the rocker. I mean like out for blood. The tough part of me is, they have not taken it far enough to hit me. So it is not assault yet. They are if anything following too close, speeding, reckless driving, none of which qualify for use of deadly force. Stopping well that is going to make a confrontation a certainty and at a minimum the other guy will be getting hit with OC spray. With that blind rage he may very well escalate it to lethal force situation which I am not looking to get into.

Maybe there is really nothing more you can do. I mean the police will shock such a guy back into reality. Not sure if anything else would. I was struggling with analyzing both situations afterwards in what I could do to disarm the anger. One time was on an interstate where my first reaction was to clear the left lane and give him all the room he wanted to drop the hammer and zoom on by (which did not work). The second was a rural road with no ability to do that. Running/increasing speed just makes 2 vehicles driving unsafely. Ignoring them, enrages them more. I pretty much went with avoiding direct eye contact, not stopping, and if possible trying to get to a police station. I SHOULD have dialed 911. It is so retarded I did not I could kick myself.

 

[Alex45ACP]

Running/increasing speed just makes 2 vehicles driving unsafely.

So why not slow down? That's what I do. If someone is tailgating/raging at me, I just take my foot off the gas and put my hazards on. I'll slow down to 5 mph if necessary until they get bored and drive around.

 

[9mmepiphany]

So why not slow down? That's what I do. If someone is tailgating/raging at me, I just take my foot off the gas and put my hazards on. I'll slow down to 5 mph if necessary until they get bored and drive around.

This does work, if they are "raging" they usually don't have the self control to slow down. Running just sets off their chase impulse and is inherently more dangerous...increased speed. If on the highway and they pass you and start "brake checking" you, just take a turn off that they have driven pass.

Calling the police would be my first thought too for a couple of reasons
1. There might be one nearby who will come to your assistance
2. If the situation goes downhill, you can describe what is happening and have it recorded in real time

 

[hso]

The safe thing to do is maintain a constant reasonable speed within the speed limit, maintain awareness of the road and traffic to avoid being distracted into having an accident or causing one, contact 911 on speaker or headset so you can keep both hands on the wheel and drive to the police as the 911 operator directs an officer to you.

Don't try any emergency maneuvers that might cause an accident like jerking off the road onto another at the last minute or pulling over and then speeding away. Keep that constant speed and stay on a major road moving towards the LEOs that have been sent to help.

Many times simply staying calm and having that reflected in your driving is the best thing to do.

 

[zoom6zoom]

Hard as it may be, sometimes ignoring them is the best option. They want to get a reaction out of you. Remember it takes two to escalate the situation. Get the tag, call the cops when you can.

 

[Dave P]

"my first reaction was to clear the left lane"

If someone wants to go fast, why are you blocking them in the passing lane?? AFAIAC, if you are not rapidly passing cars when you are in the passing lane, you are in the wrong; move over!!

Even a 2 lane road in the boonies, couldn't you pull to the side of the road and let them pass?

 

[omegaflame]

I wonder if setting your cellphone to record mode so you have more than just your word against theirs would be too distracting while driving?

 

[Seattleimport]

I suggest you follow the same rules you'd use on Internet forums. The guy is a road troll. He's a jerk <edited -- Sam> trying to evoke a reaction. Don't feed him. Ignore him, and keep doing your thing.

If in the "fast lane" of a two-lane highway, then merge into the slow lane. Let him pass.

If it's a single-lane highway, then just do the speed limit, or even slow a bit (when oncoming traffic is clear) to encourage him to pass.

Point is: the sooner he's passed out of your life, the better.

Speeding up/running away just endangers yourself--and others. Not to mention the fact that exceeding the speed limit and driving recklessly is itself illegal.

(side note: he may be trying to get your attention for good reason. Like, perhaps you have a flat, or your hubcap is loose, or you left your bag on your roof. Consider that possibility first before assuming road rage.)

If you get rammed, well, that's something else. If you can, drive safely to a police or fire station. If you can't, pull out of traffic as safe as you can. In either case, call the cops, and prepare for a violent confrontation.

 

[JoeSlomo]

I use the universal hand and arm signal for "yea....I dorked that up. My mistake..." whenever I do some stupid crap on the road, which is rare enough, but it happens. Hand held high and a nod of acknowledgment go a long way to de-escalating a hot head who may do something stupid that may ultimately require the use of deadly force to defend yourself.

I don't get excited about other drivers doing stupid crap as it is not worth my mental energy.

 

[Sky]

Happen to my wife with an 18 wheeler. She got the guys tag and description of his vehicle and called 911. Cops had him pulled over in less than 5 minutes.

Happened to me once on 1960 in Houston. I was driving a Vette and the thought did cross my mind to rapidly brake an let the perpetrator hit me in the rear. My passenger, who was a lawyer, was the one who recommended this action so he could sue the pooky out of them. I finally was able to change lanes (traffic was bumper to bumper) and my new nemesis went by only to start the same thing over with the next car in line (guess it wasn't personal).
I turned in a side street to drop my friend off and total time off of 1960 was maybe 10 minutes. When I returned to 1960 the traffic was down to one lane in my direction.
My new nemesis was standing by his crumpled expedition (prolly daddies, he was rather young) at West Lake Houston and 1960. Natural selection is alive and well. Just felt sorry for the Toyota that was involved in the accident with him.

 

[UMB]

I try to keep this in mind.......

It's sorta like rear ending some one, if you run into them , you're wrong. If you don't do everything you possibly can to just leave a road rage situation, you're armed and things escalate to defending yourself with a weapon, you're probably gonna be wrong. If I'm packing, I'm Mr Courteous on the road.

 

[wulfhart]

Some dude is absolutely raging and driving about 12" off your bumper, swearing, flashing lights, honking, trying his darndest to get you to pull over.

That sounds beyond someone wanting to pass. Don't pull off the road.

(side note: he may be trying to get your attention for good reason. Like, perhaps you have a flat, or your hubcap is loose, or you left your bag on your roof. Consider that possibility first before assuming road rage.)

One should be able to tell the difference. If you have a bag on your roof they won't tail gate, lest it falls off and hits them. If you slow down you, they will pull along side and make motions indicating said bag or that you have a flat. Most people won't single a flat tire with the bird.

 

[Bullnettles]

Sky, I'm right there about twice a month (g/f in that area). 1960 is a headache, they should widen. Back to topic, speeding up is illegal, but I don't know how many holier than thou's out there have never sped up to pass someone, hitting 80... I digress. I will speed to get rid of them, and myy TB with 145K WILL leave them, 9 out of 10.

 

[bikerdoc]

Dont react. Ignore,. Follow the speed limit. make no gestures. call the PD.Get the plate number. Drive to a police station ( or donut shop, as a former LEO I can say that)

Dont stop, gesture or yell Dont go home..

One time I got on an off the interstate in a big circle til the Bozo got tired of the game and left.

 

[Gouranga]

"my first reaction was to clear the left lane"

If someone wants to go fast, why are you blocking them in the passing lane?? AFAIAC, if you are not rapidly passing cars when you are in the passing lane, you are in the wrong; move over!!

Even a 2 lane road in the boonies, couldn't you pull to the side of the road and let them pass?

For this guy, to give you an idea what ignited it. 5 am, very low traffic, speed limit 65 I was going maybe 72, in the process of passing a big rig. This guy comes off an entrance ramp already speeding, rapidly catches up now getting out of the way, not an option. i have a rig next to me. He must have been near 90 or higher as fast as he caught us. Apparently, having to hit his brakes and slow down to within 15 MPH of the speed limit ticked him off beyond reason. His brights were on, his horn blaring and he was up on my bumper. So I had 2 options, slow down which is akin to a brake check to let the rig pass and get out of his way, or what I did, sped up about 5 mph to get past the rig faster and get out of his way. I still had hope maybe he was having some type of emergency and REALLY needed to get past. When i got past the rig I signaled and got over. He actually got right in behind me and and kept on it. At this point you have me, him right behind me, the rig behind him and disappearing. The left lane is open, he is clear to go. At one point he pulls next to me, making hand gestures to pull over.

That was when I tried just moving faster (In retrospect, I should have called the cops right there). With his actions I was not pulling over. I am certain that would have led to an altercation and while i will use lethal force if someone forces me to, I have no desire to take steps that I feel will significantly increase the chances of this happening. the one thing I did have is I make it a habit to never run near and empty tank so I had a LONG way to drive before I had to stop. being 5 am a traffic jam was not likely.

The second was a rural road. There was a Pick up (why it keeps being pickups I do not know), pulled 1/3 of the way off the road, tinted windows, no lights (hazard blinker, or brake light). O slowed down to about 25 (Speed limit is 45) to slowly pass. As I go by I see there is another truck right in front of him facing him (apparently was about to try a 3 pt turn. The nimrod was trying to signal me to stop through his dark tinted back window. As I went by he starts flipping me off and screaming, his buds in the other truck doing the same. And then another tailgating, ranting chase ensues....I had 2 truck loads of guys, I tell you I am NOT pulling over for that. Luckily they got bored eventually too and made a turn flipping me off one last time. I should have called 911 then too but didn't . I actually measured that one on google earth was about 8 miles. Felt like twice that.

That one does not bug me as much as the interstate. As remote as we were, had he escalated to hitting my vehicle that would have gotten nasty quick.

 

[Gouranga]

One time I got on an off the interstate in a big circle til the Bozo got tired of the game and left

That is brilliant man. I think there are a couple spots on the interstate near me I could do something like that.

 

[Chevyguy85]

i guess me being young and dumb i prefer the slow down until they pass you method. So far it has worked for me tailgaters get brake checked once or twice, most get the message seeing as how i drive a truck with the hitch/head/ball (whatever you like to call it) always on.

The ones that don't get to stay behind me as i do however slow a speed it takes for them to pass me. I refuse to pull off to the side of the road since on most of my travels this will put me in harms way by giving me a place of little traction in which to get my already slow 6500 lbs up to speed if indeed i have to shove my way out.

I don't live out in the boondocks and if I feel I need to i can just dial *FHP and drive towards the cavalry. Couple of friends have had good results using this method.

 

[ActionJax]

I've had this happen before ... (not carrying a firearm, not that it matters). I tend to put the cruise on for a while then gradually slow down 1 mph at a time (no brake-checking), until I am 5 below the speed limit. Then gradually on down to 10 below (unless there is a min. speed limit posted). I figure that if they hit me, better for it to be at a slower speed. When they finally go by, I DO NOT allow them to be door to door with me (in case they wanna take a shot at me). Once they are coming alongside (and my rear is clear), I brake a little. Then, when they inevitably brake and swerve in front of me, I am already on the brakes.

I had to come to a complete stop on a two lane road one time. The guy was mad because I had passed him earlier, I think. He tried all the usual tricks, including the brake slam, but I easily out-braked him. There we were -- both stopped. I was looking for reverse lights, and since my rear was clear, I backed up very slowly. He opened the door and continued his yelling spree. I was looking pretty closely for a gun, but he didn't display one. I eventually just drove into the far (clear) lane and went on. Of course he then repeated the process, but eventually got tired of it and turned around..... Had my heart pumping a little. Probably a GOOD thing I was unarmed. Whole thing prolly took less than ten minutes -- seemed like an hour.

 

[dacavasi]

There was just a big flap in Austin where an ex-Marine was driving down the expressway around 10:00 p.m. and some idiot started the same insanity with him, tailgating, ranting, gesturing, etc.. Apparently after about 6 miles or so the vet decided to end the game and took a couple shots (while moving, in the car) at the other guys truck, I think he ended up hitting a front tire or something. Of course he was arrested and the case will be going to court soon, but the real kicker is that the idiot who was tailgating him actually admitted to it and claimed that he had ADD so was not responsible for his behavior! (Don't get me wrong I don't condone the shooting, especially while in a moving vehicle on a public highway, if it were me I would just pull off or over and call the cops; if the perp wants to pull over and escalate, and I have no escape route, then the story changes...).

 

[Ryder]

It's a cat and mouse game. As long as you act like a mouse by showing fear or trying run away they will want to keep playing with you.

I ignore them as far as my driving is concerned but I make serious eye contact to let them know I am not intimidated. Apparently they have half a brain because doing this causes them to rethink the situation.

I've even had blue haired old ladies try to road rage me a couple times. It's insane. They have no driving skills and practically kill themselves.