Road rage incident - what to do?

pc11

I was driving home today and a taxi driver decided he had some issue with me. We were stopped at lights and he started beeping at at me from behind. Maybe he thought I was holding him up which is impossible as the lights were redand when they go green I don't hang around. I held up my hands to say "what's the problem?" as I pulled off. This did not please him.

He than raced around me, pulled up in front and blocked the road, got out, tried to open my car door and shouted and roared threats and abuse at me. He held up other cars too while he was doing this.

Luckily I had locked the doors. I just sat in my car, said nothing, and did nothing. I was actually surprisingly calm for me as I would often give as good as I get. I did not engage with him at all, I didn't even open my mouth

I did take a couple of photos of him. Eventually I was able to drive around him. He followed me, roaring at me, and took photos as he drove after me, beside me and in front of me.

I know, this is all just my side of the story but I'm not the one who got out, tried to open another car and shouted and roared on a public road in front of witnesses.

I have some questions:

1. What is wrong with some people??
2. What can he do? Can he make trouble for me with the guards?
3. Isn't it just his word if he does?
4. Should I go to the guards myself? I have his licence plate.
5. If he has my license plate, how easy would it be for him to find my address?

In the past, I did make a complaint to gardai when I received specific physical threats in a similar incident. They said there wasn't a whole lot they could do and if the complaint went ahead the defendant would get to know my name and address. I couldn't have that and have my family at risk.


There is something wrong when people can make threats and cause disturbances and face no consequences because it might compromise the safety of the victim, but I'm not sure what the answer is to this.


In this case I'm actually quite calm about this asshole, I'd rather just forget it. But, what if he decides to make an issue of it? He could make up anything to the Gardai. Of course he'll have no evidence or anything.


Any thoughts? Just forget about it?

ABajaninCork

I wouldn't worry about it. HE is much more likely to be in trouble than you!!

If you're that worried? Did you get his taxi plate number? If you did, then you can report him. I'm sure he'd enjoy that!!

slimjimmc

1. He's probably wondering the same.
2. He can make a formal complaint against you to the Gardaí which they may or may not investigate.
3. He might have a witness or a dash cam so it might not be just his word against yours. There also may be CCTV footage available form nearby buildings. That could work against him too though.
4. That's up to you but if I genuinely felt threatened I'd give it serious consideration.
5. He can't get your address from your car's registration number. However, afaik, if he alleged you were in a collision with him then the Gardaí could use it to pass your details to his insurer so he might get to know it that way.

glic71rods46t0

OP I agree with previous posters but I noticed you said that this is not the first time this kind of thing has happened to you. Maybe you need to reassess your driving habits as it may be something in your driving style is really pi $$ing off other drivers?
While this guy might be akin to a rabid dog, most likely he took offence to some part of your driving to set this whole thing off.
It's ok being right or even righteous but you should try to avoid attracting this kind of attention. Just my 2 cents

Boskowski

What did you do to rile him up so bad?

whomitconcerns

1ktxsz2f0oijvh wrote: »

OP I agree with previous posters but I noticed you said that this is not the first time this kind of thing has happened to you. Maybe you need to reassess your driving habits as it may be something in your driving style is really pi $$ing off other drivers?
While this guy might be akin to a rabid dog, most likely he took offence to some part of your driving to set this whole thing off.
It's ok being right or even righteous but you should try to avoid attracting this kind of attention. Just my 2 cents

As someone who has had the above happen once also..I do agree a little bit with what you said. BUT that doesnt excuse the headcase stopping and blocking the road and trying to open the car. No matter what was done

Homer

This is exactly why I bought and installed a dashcam! Have had it 6 months and nothing but boring footage but it's there as insurance should I ever come across people like that!

glic71rods46t0

whomitconcerns wrote: »

As someone who has had the above happen once also..I do agree a little bit with what you said. BUT that doesnt excuse the headcase stopping and blocking the road and trying to open the car. No matter what was done

I totally agree with you. What the taxi driver did is something that he should lose his licence (and livelihood ) for.

DIYalot

I'd have to agree that if this is not the first time this has happened then you need to seriously look at your driving habits, how often do you check mirrors first before changing lanes etc.?. I don't condone the taxi driver 's behaviour, that's too aggressive..but if you are completley oblivious to what you did or didn't do then thats strange too. I would say that taxi driver needs a career change if he can't handle other drivers, it goes with the territory.

MrWalsh

If you got his taxi plate number or reg plate make a complaint about his behaviour to the Guards and the Carriage Office.

In the past, I did make a complaint to gardai when I received specific physical threats in a similar incident. They said there wasn't a whole lot they could do and if the complaint went ahead the defendant would get to know my name and address. I couldn't have that and have my family at risk.

^^ This is a terrible thing for the Guards to have said to you, this was said because some guy didnt want to do the paperwork! If someone hassles you as a result of having your address in this way then they are breaking more laws!! You cant not press charges because you dont want the person to know where you live, its a road rage incident, not a murder case!

pc11

1ktxsz2f0oijvh wrote: »

OP I agree with previous posters but I noticed you said that this is not the first time this kind of thing has happened to you. Maybe you need to reassess your driving habits as it may be something in your driving style is really pi $$ing off other drivers?
While this guy might be akin to a rabid dog, most likely he took offence to some part of your driving to set this whole thing off.
It's ok being right or even righteous but you should try to avoid attracting this kind of attention. Just my 2 cents

I was waiting for that question. It's ok to doubt me, I might too. Well, again, you only have my side of the story. I'm not claiming to be a saint, I've been annoyed at other drivers myself and I'm sure I've made lots of mistakes and lots of things are 50/50 obviously.

This was different though.

I wouldn't have called the gardai myself in the previous incident if I was in the wrong. That incident was a car blocking access where I asked them to move and they guy went seriously mental with explicit repeated physical threats. I have no problem having a row with someone but that was totally different. There were witnesses. I hardly opened my mouth, he was simply rabid. I was genuinely fearful for my safety.

Given we were stopped at lights yesterday, it's hard to see what could set someone off so badly. No matter what I did, there's no justification for the response. Stopping traffic on a dual carriageway is outrageous, as is trying to get into my car then following me at a crazy speed.

pc11

MrWalsh wrote: »

If you got his taxi plate number or reg plate make a complaint about his behaviour to the Guards and the Carriage Office.



^^ This is a terrible thing for the Guards to have said to you, this was said because some guy didnt want to do the paperwork! If someone hassles you as a result of having your address in this way then they are breaking more laws!! You cant not press charges because you dont want the person to know where you live, its a road rage incident, not a murder case!

I agree completely. But, in a case like this where someone has gone seriously mental, I can't take the risk of them coming after me or my family.

MarkR

If you have no idea what you did to upset someone, then I'm wondering about your observational skills on the road. Assuming the other driver hasn't had some form of psychotic episode, something happened, and you are oblivious to what it is.

Did you cut him off? Make a lane change without looking? Block a clearway?

On the original issue, don't worry about it.

pc11

ABajaninCork wrote: »

I wouldn't worry about it. HE is much more likely to be in trouble than you!!

If you're that worried? Did you get his taxi plate number? If you did, then you can report him. I'm sure he'd enjoy that!!

I did get his plate but I just want a quiet life. If I make a complaint, I can only see it making life difficult.

According to this page: http://www.transportforireland.ie/taxi/taxi-compliments-complaints/

It seems I have to complain to the gardai not the regulator.

pc11

slimjimmc wrote: »

1. He's probably wondering the same.
2. He can make a formal complaint against you to the Gardaí which they may or may not investigate.
3. He might have a witness or a dash cam so it might not be just his word against yours. There also may be CCTV footage available form nearby buildings. That could work against him too though.
4. That's up to you but if I genuinely felt threatened I'd give it serious consideration.
5. He can't get your address from your car's registration number. However, afaik, if he alleged you were in a collision with him then the Gardaí could use it to pass your details to his insurer so he might get to know it that way.

Thanks for the reply.

1. If this was a 50/50 row I'd agree, but this wasn't. I know, I would say that if course.
2. If he does, there's no evidence that could support anything he says so I'm fine with that.
3. It would be great if he had a dash cam, I'd be delighted if he did, it can only show what actually happened
4. As I said already, that seems pointless.
5. If he alleged that, it would be a false report and there can be no evidence. He'd want to be crazy to do that. It's good to know he can't my address, thanks.

pc11

MarkR wrote: »

If you have no idea what you did to upset someone, then I'm wondering about your observational skills on the road. Assuming the other driver hasn't had some form of psychotic episode, something happened, and you are oblivious to what it is.

Did you cut him off? Make a lane change without looking? Block a clearway?

On the original issue, don't worry about it.

I've described it already. We weren't even moving. I'm not oblivious at all. The only possibility is he wanted me to move faster as he seemed to be in a major hurry. You'd have to ask him why he overreacted so much. There's nothing that justifies what he did.

I'm not an idiot. If I did something wrong I would admit it.

MrWalsh

pc11 wrote: »

I agree completely. But, in a case like this where someone has gone seriously mental, I can't take the risk of them coming after me or my family.

You cant live your life like this. Im not sure the Guard was even telling the truth to be honest - how would anyone make complaints about threatening or violent behaviour if this was the case? If a complaint goes ahead then the guy already knows he is in trouble - so why would he risk further trouble? I just dont get this line of thinking, the law is on your side.

pc11

MrWalsh wrote: »

You cant live your life like this. Im not sure the Guard was even telling the truth to be honest - how would anyone make complaints about threatening or violent behaviour if this was the case? If a complaint goes ahead then the guy already knows he is in trouble - so why would he risk further trouble? I just dont get this line of thinking, the law is on your side.

A friend of mine was assaulted last year with his jaw broken. It was the same story. He decided not to proceed with the complaint because he was not willing to go through the process of appearing in court and so on. I completely understand why he did that.

The law on your side only goes so far, real life is different. Have you never been in this situation yourself? Yes, you can argue we're letting the bad guys win, but this is reality.

DIYalot

pc11 wrote:

The only possibility is he wanted me to move faster as he seemed to be in a major hurry.

How long were you on the dual carriageway before this happened? what lane were you in and what was your speed? were you constantly checking your mirrors? were you keeping left?

driving rules state:

'Keep to the left-hand lane on the dual carriageway and build up your speed to that of the normal flow of traffic subject to the speed limits and road conditions.'


road rage is sparked by frustration, something was frustrating that driver.

pc11

DIYalot wrote: »

How long were you on the dual carriageway before this happened? what lane were you in and what was your speed? were you constantly checking your mirrors? were you keeping left?

driving rules state:

'Keep to the left-hand lane on the dual carriageway and build up your speed to that of the normal flow of traffic subject to the speed limits and road conditions.'


road rage is sparked by frustration, something was frustrating that driver.

None of that applies as I've written above. We were stopped at lights when it started. I was in the correct lane. If anything, he was in the wrong lane as he was not using the bus lane for some reason.

Look, no matter what I did or didn't do, there is no justification for what he did. Road rage is never ok.

whomitconcerns

DIYalot wrote: »

I'd have to agree that if this is not the first time this has happened then you need to seriously look at your driving habits, how often do you check mirrors first before changing lanes etc.?. I don't condone the taxi driver 's behaviour, that's too aggressive..but if you are completley oblivious to what you did or didn't do then thats strange too. I would say that taxi driver needs a career change if he can't handle other drivers, it goes with the territory.

In my case I know what I "did". There was a bicycle in front of the guy in left lane (2 lane road)stopping him moving faster. I passed by him and at the end where the 2 roads become one again, he tried to drive on top of me and the cyclist to get ahead (he was initially in front of me before it became 2 lanes), it didnt work. Then he took me by on other (wrong) side of road then and parked across in front of me in the lane blocking the road and got out and started shouting and banging window....not a hope I was entertaining him..

DIYalot

sounds like he got in a huff because he was overtaken.
If he wasn't signalling that he wanted to overtake the cyclist then screw him, people aren't telepathic. I wasn't trying to place blame but from what you say it sounds like he expected you to give way to him and you carried on (as you should have)

basically if you're being obstructed in traffic you give way to other traffic until it is safe to overtake the obstruction. He doesn't seem to get that.