by Brian Keith Compton

Created on: April 29, 2007   Last Updated: May 01, 2007

It's hard to understand sometimes why you have suddenly been targeted by a driver with road rage.

You could have accidentally cut someone off because they tried to pass you in an outside lane, a blind spot. Usually this person is speeding up to get by you. In my case, it was someone rushing to get to an off-ramp to the interstate - the one I almost missed until my wife pointed it out.

I turned into the exit lane to hear screeching tires and a honking horn. I became distraught that an accident had almost occurred and began to slow down to see what was happening. At this point, the offended driver sped up and began to tailgate me. His gestures and facial expressions gave me to know he was extremely angry. I had no recourse but to continue to the interstate so I wouldn't hold up traffic.

Once on the interstate, the man wildly drove around to get alongside me. He was gesturing and adamant that I pull over. My wife said "you better do what he says." But I would not. You hear enough stories about people getting shot at after these episodes. I wasn't about to put us in danger.

The first thing I did was mouth the words 'I'm sorry' with my best repentant expression. But this did not discourage him from continuing his gesticulations, angrily pointing to exit ramps that I passed. I tried apologizing one more time, hoping he'd give up but could see it was no use. So I nodded my head in agreement.

By this time we had gone about five miles. I had hoped this man had better things to do and would tire of our silent negotiations. When the next exit came, I had no intention of pulling over. My speed was as high as the speed limit would allow on my approach. He was tailgating me as I expected. As I got onto the ramp, I knew I only had one chance to lose him. Now that I had his trust I would pull over, I pulled back onto the interstate at the very last moment. He didn't have time to react and had to continue his exit.

I knew he could cross over the road ahead to get to the next off-ramp to pursue again. I wasn't going to wait. I high-tailed it out of there and drove as fast as I could, but I got caught by a cop. I never felt more relieved. Having informed the officer of our flight from the road rager, we were free to go. We were traveling out of state at the time and glad that things worked out the way they did.

I've had similar incidents involving hot-headed types that would sidle alongside and gesture. I do not make eye contact. I slow to let them pass. Some like to tailgate anyway. But I find the longer you drive, the more tired they become of the chase. But I will never get out of my car for anyone. No one should. And if you can call police when you feel you are being threatened, don't hesitate to dial 911.

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