[jmo531]

I live in the DC metro area and for those of you that dont know, its very hectic and congested on the road at any given time. People are not aware of anything. Weaving in and out and it's seems that people think the posted speed limit sign is merely a suggestion not a law.
Anyway, I was taking my normal route to work this morning and I stopped off at Mc D's for a coffee and Egg McMuffin. I was in the lane where I'm supposed to be and this big *** Ford Explorer comes pulling into my lane like a bat outta hell. I expect this cause people are not paying attention at all. So were cruising down the road and he slams on his breaks. So I had to slam on mine. I was like OK, What the hell? Then he rolls his window down and starts flicking me off. I have tried this new method of dealing with aggressive drivers, instead of giving into to their anger and flicking them off I have started laughing at them as I think that makes them realize how butt holish their being. Well this guy didnt like it. So I tried to get around him. No luck. He followed me about 5-6 miles. Mind you, after mile 2 I called 911 cause I was freaked out because you hear things on the news. This guy was behind me flashing his lights, honking his horn and the whole time I'm on the phone with the dispatcher describing my wherabouts. I told her I was heading to work but I was so freaked out I forgot what the address was. I was really panicking. She told me to calm down that they are sending an officer to find me. I kept thinking this guy is gonna ram me and kill me. So I'm taking all these turns and stuff to try and lose him but no luck. Finally I come to the Metro station and I acted like I was going straight and when the light turned I made a quick right and hauled ***. He kept going straight at the light so I was like WHEW. The dispatcher told me that I did the right thing and that I handled the situation correctly. Yeah well my heart felt like it was beating outta my chest and my palms were sweaty and my legs were shaking so bad. I finally made it to work. However, I lost my appetite for the Egg McMuffin.

[silver_queen]

Wow, that sounds really scary. I'm glad you got to work safely. Did you get the guy's registration number?

[nothemama8]

Glad you made it to work, and that your safe. Relax, breathe slowly and have a better day sweetie
Angie

[jmo531]

Thanks!!! I only got the first three letters of the license plate # JGP. I was too freaked out. I'm ok now, but not a good start to the day.

whew!!! i am so glad you got to work safely. being a single woman and going everywhere alone, i know that feeling. people just have no courtesy on the road now.....it is very scary.......i'm just so glad that you weren't hurt and you did the right thing. makes me think i should get a cellphone..

[jetblackaura]

Woah that sounds really scary and what a waste of an egg Mcmuffin :P I'm glad you are safe.

[Wants2Fly]

Wow! My heart is racing and my stomach is al tight just reading this scary story. I am glad that you instinctively knew what to do. Your good little angel was with you today. Too bad the cops didn't get him, though.

So glad you are safe.

Wow Jenifer!
So sorry this happened to you. Good job keeping your cool and calling 911. That quick turn was also great thinking!! I'm so glad you're safe.

What is it with some people and driving- they seem to have the impression that they can be rude and mean and still be anonymous?!?!

Take care,
Mandy

[SpazKatt]

Glad you're ok! I would have freaked out myself, sorry you lost your appetiete for your breakfast!

Yikes... that sucks. Sorry you had such a rough day but I'm glad you're safe. People on the road can be real jerks.

Ry

[Gemstone]

I am so sorry that happened to you. I know how crazy driving around that area. I am from Frederick, MD and I drive up to DC a lot. I hate agressive drivers, It always seems to be the suvs too.

[jmo531]

Thanks for your replies guys. Yes. It was scary. My leg was shaking so bad I could barely push the gas. Aggressive drivers are a real problem in this area. I was a little miffed about the cops though. I mean he was following me for 5 miles or more. What an a-hole. I started thinking....this jerk has real anger issues if he is going to follow someone at 5:45 in the morning. Thanks for your concern. It really freaked me out. I hope I dont see him tomorrow.

[(JD)]

(((hugs)))
Take it from someone who has been followed nearly for 18 years... you never feel comfortable when it happens. Mine is understood and I can pick the PI out quite quickly... and it's still distressing. I have had your type of experience also, and it is SO scarey!

I learned FIRST if it's an agressive driver DO NOT EVEN LOOK AT THEM. If you do not make eye contact they are reduced in power. Actually you enticed and contributed to HIS rage and attention problem by laughing. I hope you can continue to improve on how you handle such drivers.

Have you thought about carrying pepper spray? If an accident had occurred, and physical confrontation happened, having this item to combat them might be a good thing.

Once I had a driver that was having a bad day (or life?)... he was in the lane closest to me and had his turn signal on... and he was slowing... (the light was red too.) I pulled into traffic in front of him... no problem. He went ballistic. He wasn't turning. At the light he actually got out of his car and came over 2 lanes to my window. I didn't make eye contact with him (though the other drivers who did nothing but stare did see me look at them!) I carry, so I knew if he continued to be agressive I could get out physically ok... but it sure takes an emotional toll on you, eh?

If you don't "allow" them the enjoyment of taking their problems out on you, they might well find someone else. Calling 911 is a good thing (I've done that too when a guy on the turnpike wouldn't let me pass, then slowed, sped up etc.) I also have a sign in the car I can hold up that says "Call Police, Send Help" lol

Today I had a truck driver behind me... way too close... and on the turnpike at 70 mph with another truck in the side lane... and traffic in front of me. I had time to stop if I needed, but HE sure didn't (and trucks aren't allowed in the left hand lane anyway!) But I did what the Highway Patrol says to: slow down. It made him upset at first, but somehow he realized what he was doing and moved over from behind me.

With more and more rageful drivers (and I have been one from time to time in the past) we need to find ways to combat them and stay safe. I'm glad this worked out well for you after all!

[jmo531]

((((((((((((((((SKY)))))))))))))

Thank you for your very insightful post. maybe pepper spray is something I should consider. I actually never thought of that. I am just glad that the situation wasnt worse. We have had a few aggressive driver cases in the past around here that have turned deadly. I just want to put the whole thing behind me. I am lucky that it wasnt more then it was. Thank you for speaking to me from personal experience.

Take care.

i used to drive on I-40 alot and sometimes the truckers would follow too close. at that time, i had a cb and i would just ask them to not follow me so closely....they were always nice about it up til the 90s...they changed....i think a lot of them drink and use speed now and it's a different road...plus I-40 is the drug conduit for the west and that always worries you when you're alone. i drive a pickup, silverado chevy, and i can hold my own pretty well...i'd hate to think how it would effect a smaller vehicle to have one of those trucks passing really close. i did have good experiences that i treasure....trying to get to a rodeo and driving all night and talking on the radio to some guy that is going as far as i am.......telling jokes and talking about our families....
I VOTE FOR PEPPER SPRAY!!!!

[darkeyes]

Oh my God!!
I know how scary this is, I had several similar situations, one real bad about 2 years ago, thought I was going to be murdered.
I notice more and more people are getting insanely aggressive with their driving, I like to go fast on an empty road, but follow the speed limit the best as possible (maybe a little over it) and yet for some of these people that is not fast enough, they do the "light show", tailgate, cut around you and yes, slam on the brakes, looking to provoke an accident, heard this is a new scam, I shake my head . . . and say to myself, "what the hell is happening"? And I take meds? These killer drivers need meds, grrrrrr!
I have driven down in the area that you mentioned, and 95 gets pretty scary there near VA border, I sympathize for you.
Well, you take care, try to make some time for relaxation.
Also, don't laugh at those kind of drivers, it irritates them more and become hostile, I've been told, do not look at them, avoid eye contact.
Sometimes it works, but 2yrs ago I had a crazy truck driver, cussing at me, and said, "hey *****, I'm talking to you" "you hear me"?? and he went on and on about it because a local road merged, I guess he didn't know how to read signs and claimed I cut him off, while actually I was in proper lane and doing proper speed, he was the one barrelling down the road
I had a guy in a pick up, follow me down one of our rural roads, on my tail, he had the chance to go around me but obviously preferred to scare me, I pulled off the road, and finally he sped pass.
Oh, I can spend all day telling my horror stories of road ragers.

Stay safe now,

DE

((((((((((((((( jmo531 ))))))))))))))))))))

[Dolfin]

Jmo,

I am so glad to hear you are safe. Road ragers seem to be growing like bad weeds these days.

I had a very similar thing happen to me while I was going to my pdoc appt a few months back. I had just gotten off the expressway, and was approaching a traffic signal at the first crossroads. As I was coming up, he pulled into my lane, almost hitting me, so I gave him a honk of my horn. It must have been like Pavlov ringing his bell for his dogs, cuz it really irritated him. He was driving 10 under the speed limit, spiking his brakes, trying to MAKE me cause an accident. As soon as I saw daylight, I used the other lane to whip around the guy, then had to get in front of him to avoid being behind a lumbering gravel train. This must have irked him more, cuz he started tailgating me - I couldn't even see the grille of his car, he was so close.

Knowing my doc's office was just ahead, I tried to keep my cool, thinking 'I won't have to deal with this a**hole anymore'. THE GUY FOLLOWED ME INTO MY DOC'S OFFICE PARKING LOT!!! I parked my truck (with my 70lb Chow/Lab mix inside) and started into the doc's office. He actually got OUT of his car and started to verbally assault me!! Well, the only thing I could think was "OMG, I'm gonna get my ***** kicked by this lunatic!" So, as he's closing the gap between us, I'm walking backwards, thinking, just let Apollo on him (at this point my dog is going ballistic). I was about three steps away from my truck door, and someone came running out of the doc's office to help me (And he was a big guy, too). This man stepped in between me and my would-be assailant (I guess that's what he would've been). Well, the Good Samaritan had his attention, and waved his hand behind him, signaling me it was OK to go inside. But as I walked by, the guy said a very vulgar thing to me, so I turned back, smiled sweetly and said, "You know, you should come in and make an appointment. I'm sure there's someone here to help you with your anger issues." Then I proceeded into my appointment (which I was 5 minutes late for because of all this *sigh*)

Of course, all of the office staff wanted the scoop, so I recanted the story to them. Then, one of the girls asked "Why were you backing up to your truck?" I told them, "Because I have my 70 lb Chow/Lab mix with me, and I was gonna let him have a snack!" They all busted out laughing, and the girl who asked me replied "That would have been awesome to see!! We all sat here watching the whole thing, and if he'd gotten any closer, the police were on their way." (With it being a psychiatric care facility, they have panic buttons hot-wired to the local boys in blue.)

Sorry to get off subject, but thank goodness you are safe.

((((( jmo )))))

Jenn

[Eva1nder]

((((((jmo)))))))

I know the area you speak of pretty well and it's pretty hectic there.

You just never know these days. I'm so glad your safe. I'm sorry you had to go through that . I know how scary and upsetting that is.

I hope your feeling better.

Take care
Eva

[bptoo]

(((((((((((jmo))))))))))),

Definitely sounds like a case of rode rage. I'm really glad to hear that you're alright. We get that so much here in Calififornia with all the bumper to bumper traffic at all times of the day. And everyone is always in a hurry.

What the cops advise here is to try not to make eye contact with the person if at all possible. If you have a cell phone, try to get the person's license number and call 911 and give it to them, Also, start watching every street sign so you can let them know where you are. If you don't have a phone, find a very public place, get out of your car and look for help as quickly as possible. Yell and scream if you have to. If you can't find a public place, keep driving, and not to your home ot work, just drive until this person gets tired of going out of his/her way. Be sure to stay out of quiet, dark areas. And if you have to keep driving, don't stop! Not for a stop sign or a light. Proceed thru every intersection as carefully as you can. If running a light brings the attention of the cops, that's exactly what you want. The person will give up eventually.

I'm so glad you're OK, and nothing happened to you. It's a bizarre world we live in. I'm glad you did all the right things!

(((((((((((((((((jmo))))))))))))))))))

Take Care,
Greg

[jmo531]

Thank you, all of you for your posts and identifying with my situation. I know its been several days since this happended and I stumbled back upon my post. I have a terrible memory and forget if, when, where, why and how. I'd lose my head if it wasnt attached. I'm not kidding.

I have been taking it easy going to work. Been watching all around me. I still feel a bit paranoid though. I guess that is normal. For now anyway. Thanks again you guys.

(((((((((((((((((all of you)))))))))))))))

[vacantangel]

Jen, I can only imagine how terribly frightening this must've been for you. Thank God you kept your wits about you and did the right things.

(((((((((((( Jen )))))))))))

[jmo531]

((((((((((((((((((((((((AG)))))))))))))))))))))))))

[vacantangel]

Just glad that it all worked out well for you in the end. God knows what this guy might've done had he managed to catch up with you. I don't even want to go there. So glad you're safe. You obviously do well under stress.