About six weeks ago, the same week a road rage incident on our interstate ended with lethal consequences (the victim shot and killed the aggressor), I was also a victim of road rage during busy rush hour evening traffic. A woman (yes a woman) behind me was literally losing her $h!t, blasting her horn at me and acting as though she was going to ram the back of my car with hers because I wouldn’t go. We had a red light and from where she sat she couldn’t see the flow of oncoming traffic I was required to yield to, but she was relentless. Had I pulled out, as she would’ve liked, I definitely would have caused an accident, undoubtedly.
Fortunately, once I was able to go, I was able to weave my way through a few lanes of traffic and get away from her. I pulled into a busy supermarket parking lot with a lot of people in it and gratefully she did not follow me and I watched her continue on. I believe she got caught up in traffic allowing me to get away. I chose a different route home and on my way as I thought about what had just happened I was truly amazed by her behavior. I also said a little prayer for me, for her and then I forgave her.
What causes someone to go off the rails and behave like that, I do not know, but I also realized I don’t know her story. Maybe this was a one off, maybe she had an emergency and needed to get somewhere, or maybe she acts like this all the time, it’s hard to say. What I do know is while she was out of control I was in control. I was in control. I chose not to react to her rage or engage. Instead I adhered to traffic laws and then safely drove away as soon as I was able. Luckily it ended well for me because I know all too well it doesn’t always end well for everyone.
We need to turn off the rage machine that seems to be the norm rather than the exception lately. Anger and rage is steeped in fear and I know that, but most people don’t. When you get down to the base of why someone is angry it is usually because they are fearful about something. With that in mind I do whatever I can to keep a cool head and not get dragged into whatever drama happens to be going on. As always, cooler heads prevail.
Had I reacted to the woman raging in her car behind me, like flipped her off or something stupid like that, things could’ve escalated and gone seriously wrong. She might have actually rammed my car sending me forward into oncoming traffic. She could’ve followed me into the parking lot and thankfully she didn’t, but she could’ve and who only knows how that might have played out. I would’ve had to call 911, but what might have happened before they had a chance to arrive? As it happened there was actually a deputy sheriff standing in the parking lot at the time. That never happens!
So my friends, should you find yourself in a similar situation, I implore you to stay calm and do your best to diffuse the situation as much as possible. Get away, call 911 if you need to and thank God for His protection and wisdom. Then once you’ve thought it all over forgive that person. We need to turn off this rage machine that seems to be consuming so many these day. Violent and aggressive behavior is never a viable option. We need to be better humans.
I'm glad you're ok! I wholeheartedly agree.....take a long, slow breath....
ReplyDeleteThank you Brooke
DeleteGlad you r okay. Well written post and I totally agree with you.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much
DeleteGlad you're o.k.I had that happen to me once and it was scary.It's so sad that so many people now days have no anger management skills and their children are learning from them.
ReplyDeleteIncredibly sad, I agree
DeleteAmen!
ReplyDeleteJo
Amen. :)
DeleteI don't know what else you could have done in this situation, so good on you for taking evasive measures. Austin is FULL of these types of drivers.!
ReplyDeleteThank you Gina
DeleteI respectfully disagree that anger and rage is mostly the result of fear. Certainly not in men! And rarely in women. I find it's the result of a longstanding bully mentality, of entitlement, and a overwhelmingly high sense of superiority.
ReplyDeleteAnd if it possibly IS the result of fear of some sort? I DON'T CARE.
The fact that road ragers think they can inflict their unchecked emotions on me means I need to not engage and get away ASAP-- just as you did! And to report them if possible, so the cops can catch them and teach them a lesson.
You are a far better person than me, because the only prayer I'd utter is the one damning them straight to Dante's Seventh Circle.
But fear being the basis of road rage? I can't embrace that.
It's okay if you choose to think differently about this. I respect your right to your own opinions. I personally wouldn't want to condemn anyone or wish them ill will as I know I am far from perfect and make mistakes. I also believe they must be already be living their own personal hell if that is their behavior. At the end of the day, if given a choice, I'll take the higher road - WWJD.
DeleteThis is a problem not easily solved.
ReplyDeletePeople are more isolated from each other than ever.
They are glued to their phones,social media,video games constantly.
They are texting while driving.
We do not view others as fellow human beings they are just obstacles in our path impeding us from our course.
People are in such a constant rush that they forget they left their child in the car
Or dog. But they don't forget their beloved phones!
Add to this mentality the daily stress and worry about getting to work. Worrying about losing their job or paying the bills picking up kids from school.
Add to the mix people on drugs legal and illegal or drunk driving. People who cannot read English. Do not even have a license.
So many people with mental health issues.
Then you have the entitled people.
They whip in and out of traffic cutting people off and causing chaos in their wake.
When dealing with the public we need to realize many people are close to becoming unhinged. One small thing will set them off.
Not to mention a lot of them are carrying guns.
In a space of a few days my friend
Was run off the road her car smashed on the right side. What angered the other driver? My friend was driving 15 mph because it was a school zone.
The women was arrested,lost her job as a result of the road rage. My friend is also suing her. All that because she felt she had the right to do 50 in a school zone with children going to school.
A few days later my husband passed a man driving 35 mph in a 65 mph zone.
The man got mad and threw a large wrench at his window but missed it. He did damage the car. A week later someone totaled my car.
I was stopped with three cars in front of me. They were turning left.
This man was so busy playing with his cell phone he never saw the four cars sitting still in front of him. It's insane out there.
People need to understand how dangerous just going to get a quart of milk at the grocery store is.
You did the right thing.
Your safe and got to go home in one piece.
Thank you for letting me state my opinion, even though it differs from yours.
ReplyDelete