Monday, January 5, 2009

Road Rage!!!

Road rage is the behavior by a driver of an automobile or other motor vehicle, which thus causes collisions or incidents on roadways. It can be thought of as an extreme case of aggressive driving. (wikipedia)

So my morning was going so well today. I woke up on time feeling refreshed and ready to face the kids at school! It was raining out so I decided to leave my house 5 minutes early just in case I ran into any trouble on the roads.

I made it through town and hopped on the freeway. About 2 minutes later a man in a red charger became a complete idiot! He started braking which made me brake (mind you I was about 4-5 car lengths away from him) so it wasn't like I was on his butt and he had a reason to be a jerk!

So I changed lanes and than he followed and went right in front of me. And he started braking again!!! Than I changed lanes again....and he followed...braking again!

At this point I was getting REALLY frustrated with him! What the heck did I do to piss him off? Nothing!!!

I changed lanes one more time because my exit was coming up. He stayed in the left lane...than at the very last possible second he pulled in front of me and hit his brakes SO hard my purse went flying when I slammed on mine. I cussed out loud! At this point we were off the freeway on the exit ramp and at the red light. I almost got out of the car to give this man a piece of my mind! But, it was raining and I didn't want to ruin my hair because it came out really pretty today. So I took several deep breaths! I was not going to let this man ruin my Monday!

So the light turns green. 5 cars in front of him go through the light. He crawls through it going about 2 mph. I just followed thinking if this idiot doesn't stop being a jerk I'm going to.....patient betty be patient....deep breaths!! So I almost didn't make it through the light....it was a yellow light but I went through it anyway!

I finally had a chance to pass him when we got to double lanes. I could have really lost my religion on this man but instead I killed him with kindness!

I slowly drove pass him and smiled REALLY big as I waved at him and said, "have a great Monday"!!

I ran into trouble alright! Not the kind of trouble I thought. But I handled it well.

My Monday was wonderful!!!!

26 comments:

Stephanie said...

I HATE people like this on the road!! Good for you for keeping your cool and killing with kindness! Plus even though you want to kill him doesnt it feel SO good that you were the bigger person?? At least I feel that way! :)

MarciaBrady said...

I so totally understand what you are saying. I have an hour drive to get to work, so I often encounter idiot drivers. I try to be patient most of the time, but there are times I get annoyed, try to hurry and get past them or even curse! I just think people have forgotten about common courtesy and are all about them! They don't care if they cut you off or whatever they do.

Good job on killing him with kindness!!

Shell in your Pocket said...

There are some crazy people on the road...you need to be careful..but I have waved to people with a big smile..kill him with kindness:)!
-sandy toes

Becky said...

You did the right thing Betty. Just think...maybe that oppurtunity was put in your path for a reason, a test for you to show how you could respond. Good for you!!

Oh...and you dummy!!! you NEVER get out of a car and approach another in traffic like that in a road rage situation!!!! He could of had a gun or something!! Don't you watch 20/20~!

(But I'm glad your hair didn't get messed up:)

Femin Susan said...

I also HATE people like this on the road!!

Unknown said...

You handled that well- probably better than I would have.
Those are the people we swear get their license along with the mail order preacher cuz the sure didn't have to pass any driving test I've ever taken.
Glad your hair stayed nice. ;-)

Joy said...

That is pretty scary. Glad you kept your cool and your OK. Who knows what that guy was on.

Be careful out there,

Joy

Mesa said...

PROUD OF YOU! I tend to become Medusa when provoked by idiots like that, I seriously start putting imaginary curses on them and will usually try to fly IN front of them and then slam my brakes..did I mention I'm vindictive? Hehe :) Way to rise above!!

Susie said...

I have the worst road rage. It's part of the reason I don't work outside the home. All the good jobs are downtown but I couldn't take the heat on the road.

Heather said...

You have way more self-control than I do.

But Becky's right, you never know what kind of freaky people are out there...

Glad you're okay, and that you passed your "test".

Michelle said...

Oh, you go girl. Too bad you were not in your bus. You could have run over him. JK you did the right thing, smiling and all. I don't like people like that. He did give you a post for today anyway.

The Panic Room said...

If someone did that to me I would just call 911 and give them the plates. People that have rage like that usually have done something illegal from losing their temper and you might get lucky and nail someone with a prior and an outstanding warrant.

Maggie May said...

oh you're a good person! lord knows what my husband would have said ;)

WheresMyAngels said...

Oh you are so much better than me. I would of been in front of him slamming on my breaks! Or calling the police, one of the two. Maybe both. Glad he didn't cause you to wreak.

April said...

Don't situations like that drive you bonkers??? Believe me, it happens ALL THE TIME in Atlanta! It's the craziest place for drivers I've ever seen! It would be so easy to lose one's cool, but there are some looney's on the road, so it doesn't pay to take a chance. Sorry for what you went through, but so glad you didn't let that guy ruin your day (or your hair!). GOOD FOR YOU!!!

Jill said...

Road Rage.. Yup I got it but only when someone does what they did to you! People can be so horrible on the road. I have to admit I don't always just smile and wave when I get mad.. :()

Buzzings of a Queen Bee! said...

Phew! I don't know if I could have smiled at the guy the way you did...good for you! Sounds like it could have been a disaster but you kept your cool! :)
Carrie

Jenny and the Princess Peonies said...

What a jerk! I am glad you have so much patience. I always think that those people must be really unhappy in their life.

Rene said...

Wow...you are a better woman than I! I was yelling at him just reading your account!!

Wanda said...

Ewwww WHAT A JERK-A-SAURUS!!!

Pray for your enemies! Dude may have been on crack!

I have serious issues with bad drivers. They make my blood boil! I try to keep it to myself...
I don't get into road fights! EVER!

fawn & fern said...

what the hell was his deal?

i'm glad you had a good monday, though! & i hope you had an even better tuesday.
love you!!!

Melody said...

Good for you for keeping your cool! What a jerk he was!

AND good for you for letting it be a wonderful Monday in spite of this!

I'm really glad that you weren't hurt during all of his stupidity.

Aubrey said...

What a JERK! You handled it better than I ever would! You are right though, killing him with kindness is much better!

Mrsbear said...

Good for you on keeping your cool. Honestly you hear some scary stuff on the news, the guy your give a piece of your mind could end up being dangerous. Kindness is a perfect approach and it keeps your hair from getting mussed. ;)

BloggessJ said...

I sooo would have called the police and gave them his plate number. He's endangering people and needs to be dealt with. That's just me of course.

Putting the FUN in DysFUNctional said...

What a jerk! You definitely handled it well though.