Tale of an Aggressive Driver

While travelling, this weekend, my girlfriend and I approached an I-10 bridge that's been reduced to one lane since the hurricanes that ravaged the area a couple of years, ago. (That's right. It may not be on the news, anymore, but the effects still linger.)

Anyway, before the two lanes merged into one, I'd decided to switch lanes. The driver of the sport utility vehicle ahead of us decided that he (I don't really know the driver's gender) didn't want me to pass, so he purposefully drifted across the lanes to block my path. I honked, but got on response. When I went to the right-most lane (an exit lane that hadn't ended, yet), the driver drifted that way, as well.

Just as a test, I quickly switched lanes, again. Sure enough, the SUV quickly pulled in front of me to block my path. I leaned on my horn to express my displeasure in the traditional method. In case that wasn't clear, I clarified my position with a creative hand-gesture.

"You're number one."

I resigned myself to my fate and the very temporary imbalance of power in this situation. After about five minutes, we made it across the bridge and the lanes opened up.

I don't know if the SUV driver lacked the forethought to realize that his abuse of power was limited to a very short period of time or what. I'm sure he realized it soon enough, though, as he attempted to distance himself from me.

I wasn't having that.

I wanted to get along-side this vehicle to get a good look at the driver while I say things to him that he'll never hear. Then, that'd be that.

Instead of taking his medicine, he pulled off on the first exit, as I expected. I did the same.
He turned left. I did the same.
He put on a signal to stop at a gas station. I did the same.
He decided not to enter the gas station. I did the same.

He apparently was convinced, by this point, that I was following him. In response, he increased his speed down a road I'm convinced he hadn't originally intended to travel. (His license plate said "Tallahassee" and going that route would take a loooong time.)

I figured this person's cowardice immediately after having bullied us spoke volumes and there was no need for us to "communicate" further. After all, I never intended to approach in such a way that'd justify my getting shot and I certainly wasn't interested in beating anyone up.

So, I turned around and resumed my travel. We spent about one minute on this little detour, so don't think this was some very extended scenario.

That said, I'm sure that some of you see this as a friend of mine did when I explained it to her, last night.

She felt that it's just not worth the energy - especially since, as she sees it, I accomplished nothing.

I disagree.

That person's true colors were exposed. That's something.
My displeasure was clearly communicated. That's something.
And, most importantly, the next time this driver considers the dangerous option of using his SUV to bully someone else who's just driving along, bothering no one, he'll think twice.

THAT made it all worth it.


No, I don't make a habit of following people and I didn't do it this time for very long, at all. I realize that road rage has lead to some very unfortunate and tragic ends. I was disgusted and disappointed, but I certainly wasn't raging. My method of dealing with this person, had he not run off with his tail between his legs, was going to be very measured, as well.

It was a chance I was willing to take, in this instance, for a very short period of time and I think it was absolutely worth it.


Whether you agree or disagree, feel free to share your opinion in the comments section.



Oh yeah. I took a picture of the SUV and wrote down the license plate number. Partly because I wanted to be able to identify this vehicle/driver to the authorities, if I should need to, later. Here's the pic (with unique identifiers removed):