Road Rage

[davsel]

I no longer brake-check tailgaters. I figure they are mad enough already, no need for me to escalate the situation.

As far as drawing on someone who gets out of their car - Absolutely.
If I was standing on the sidewalk, and someone was coming at me in a rage, I would most certainly draw on them; no different if I'm in my car.

They can yell and scream all they want from inside their vehicle, but as soon as they approach, all bets are off, and I am prepared to defend myself and end the confrontation as quickly as possible.

If you go to that level right away, I would recommend including a call to 911 as soon as possible to report having to draw your firearm in defense of yourself, even if you don't shoot it....you want to file a report and press charges (they can be dropped later if you so choose). This puts you in the proactive position and the perp on the defense. Imagine instead that you don't, and someone calls the cops and describes you and your plate number after seeing you point the gun at someone? Big difference in perspective IMO.

Just to clarify:
I try not to do anything to escalate the situation (brake-check, cut off, flip off...).
I try to remove myself safely from the situation (turn off same route, go around the block...)
Only when cornered - unable to leave the situation, would I draw on someone.

I am not about to wait to see if the enraged individual attempts to, or is able to, enter my vehicle. They are going to have to quickly make the decision of whether or not attacking me is worth being shot. I feel I owe them the courtesy of letting them know what they are getting into up front.

Just as we have most likely all seen, heard, and possibly witnessed, the ability of a knife-wielding attacker to close the distance on an individual, I am not going to wait for my windows to break before drawing a weapon and pointing it in the face of an attacker who is within arm's reach of me.

As for calling the cops and filing a report: Possibly
I figure the fact the individual got out of his vehicle and approached mine would determine who the aggressor was. I'm pretty sure I am within my legal right to point a gun in the face of an aggressor. My first duty is to defend myself and my family. 911 will not be my first response.

[davsel]

Reminds me of this from years ago:
CAUTION EXPLICIT LANGUAGE



Some people need shootin.
Wonder what ever became of this citizen.

[Sawin]

Just to clarify:
I try not to do anything to escalate the situation (brake-check, cut off, flip off...).
I try to remove myself safely from the situation (turn off same route, go around the block...)
Only when cornered - unable to leave the situation, would I draw on someone.

I am not about to wait to see if the enraged individual attempts to, or is able to, enter my vehicle. They are going to have to quickly make the decision of whether or not attacking me is worth being shot. I feel I owe them the courtesy of letting them know what they are getting into up front.

Just as we have most likely all seen, heard, and possibly witnessed, the ability of a knife-wielding attacker to close the distance on an individual, I am not going to wait for my windows to break before drawing a weapon and pointing it in the face of an attacker who is within arm's reach of me.

As for calling the cops and filing a report: Possibly
I figure the fact the individual got out of his vehicle and approached mine would determine who the aggressor was. I'm pretty sure I am within my legal right to point a gun in the face of an aggressor. My first duty is to defend myself and my family. 911 will not be my first response.

Terrific clarification davsel, I understand where your prior comments were coming from now. I cannot refute an ounce of your logic here.

[Mtn.man]

All in all alot of good and bad info.
Regardless. even if you are the victim and have to Draw your weapon, and do not ever fire. You most likely will get a free ride to jail. your vehicle towed ($$$) bail($$$) and then a lawyer ($$$) even if you are in the right and all charges dropped or never even charged.
So the best thing is to call 911 and hope you can slip away.
PS... you might even get to ride in the same cruiser as your assailant.

[Sawin]

Reminds me of this from years ago:
CAUTION EXPLICIT LANGUAGE



Some people need shootin.
Wonder what ever became of this citizen.

Yikes. So in the situation portrayed in that video, would you shoot? If so, what kinds of arguments would be against or justifying the shoot?

FWIW, I don't think I would shoot as much as I may want to... I would not have necessarily been in fear for my life unless he tried to enter the vehicle or pull me or my family out of it... so would that be justifiable due to property damage but no threat of egregious bodily injury or death? I'd have to say no.

Now if I had to stop moving and he pulled on the door handle, I'd definitely shoot that d-bag with a smile on my face, but before then it's just a case of vandalism, which isn't legal justification for shooting AFAIK.

[wctriumph]

After over 40 years of driving in mostly urban environments I have learned never argue right of way, even when right, it's just not worth the aggravation or potential damage to my vehicle or danger to my family or passengers. Some techniques I use:

Tailgaters, ignore them, they will back off or go around.
Drivers that make obscene gestures, ignore them and they go on their way.
Motorcycles, give them extra room to move around, especially the sport bike guys, they are typically younger and are not aware of what is happening around them.
Horn honking, only when they are not paying attention at intersections, usually on the phone.
Wyoming drivers, just go around them when safe, they are completely oblivious to what is considered respectful driving etiquette.

Basically drive as if everyone else is an idiot and try to give yourself an out if something happens quickly. Don't get mad, don't retaliate, it won't do any good anyway.

[Ronin13]

what were they in....west side story??

HAHA, after the adrenaline subsided I was thinking that... well actually I was thinking who brings a bat/knife/chain to a gun fight?

[Chad4000]

Yikes. So in the situation portrayed in that video, would you shoot? If so, what kinds of arguments would be against or justifying the shoot?

FWIW, I don't think I would shoot as much as I may want to... I would not have necessarily been in fear for my life unless he tried to enter the vehicle or pull me or my family out of it... so would that be justifiable due to property damage but no threat of egregious bodily injury or death? I'd have to say no.

Now if I had to stop moving and he pulled on the door handle, I'd definitely shoot that d-bag with a smile on my face, but before then it's just a case of vandalism, which isn't legal justification for shooting AFAIK.

oh boy.. I dunno... I step out, draw on him, and let him decide his fate probably... he was certainly using a deadly weapon....

[ruthabagah]

Funniest Road Rage ever:

3 years ago one of my client take me to lunch next to our workplace in the south suburbs. We have been interviewing 3 guys on the phone and in person for a system support job he has to fill and lunch was the only time we had to discuss the candidates. On our way back, this guy, cut my client with no apparent reason, then after a honk, he, of course brake check us, then try to block us and make us stop. My client stop and the guy (young white guy, clean haircut, "douche" beard though....) get out of his car and throw his "big gulp" on our windshield.... that's when my client finnally turn on the strobe and dash light of his unmarked car....

Other guy got the scare of his life and a mean ticket (can't share more info...)

Now the fun part: he apologized because he was late for an interview for a system support job.... yep: OUR job.

[Ronin13]

Yikes. So in the situation portrayed in that video, would you shoot? If so, what kinds of arguments would be against or justifying the shoot?

FWIW, I don't think I would shoot as much as I may want to... I would not have necessarily been in fear for my life unless he tried to enter the vehicle or pull me or my family out of it... so would that be justifiable due to property damage but no threat of egregious bodily injury or death? I'd have to say no.

Now if I had to stop moving and he pulled on the door handle, I'd definitely shoot that d-bag with a smile on my face, but before then it's just a case of vandalism, which isn't legal justification for shooting AFAIK.

oh boy.. I dunno... I step out, draw on him, and let him decide his fate probably... he was certainly using a deadly weapon....

I'm gonna go with Chad here. If he's grabbing my door handle I'm reacting way to late, especially after he's already smashed my headlight, windshield and hood.