Chill out on the road

LANCASTER- Speeding, tailgating, giving the finger and outright violence is defined as aggressive driving. Each day Americans grow more and more likely to take out their personal frustrations on other drivers. Something I believe we all can relate to, because either we have been the victim of an aggressive driver or we were the aggressive driver. I personally can relate to both.

It’s weird how the nicest guy in the world can turn into a monster when he gets behind the wheel and a lady of class and intelligence will start pointing the middle finger when confronted by some other jerk, but it happens.

I was reading this week’s Lancaster police reports and I couldn’t get over one of the reports I read. Before I tell you what happened, when I was reading it I could only think “what is the world coming to?” and “what the hell is wrong with people?”

The incident occurred last week and it involved two individuals, each in a different vehicle, driving along Transit Road who cut each other off, which lead to them making obscene gestures toward each other. Now, most of us have been in a situation like this, flipping each other off back and forth, but the difference is it didn’t stop there.

In the area of Transit Road and William Street, both parties were stopped at a red light when the male driver exited his vehicle and approached the female’s driver side window. She rolled down her window, something I would not have done in the first place, and the male driver spit on her and then walked to the front of her car and kicked it.

I have to say it had me laughing a little, because it is just so ridiculous. But after thinking about it, I couldn’t believe how far this incident carried on when it could have been prevented in the first place or even stopped before it got physical.

First, let’s stop cutting each other off and if someone does, let’s not take it to heart. Take a deep breath and let it go. It is not worth the irritation. Also, these are adults acting like this. I know kids that act better. It probably would have ended better if someone would have been the bigger person and just drove away.

In my experiences, I have had people honk their horn, swerve around me, flip me off, and even one time a guy pretended to shoot a gun at me using his hand. It is kind of freaky. Remember, you don’t know the person’s mental health capacity and he/she could be a psycho. It is not worth it.

So, in the end the male driver was arrested and charged with harassment. I hope he thinks it was worth it. People are so arrogant and just can’t let things go.

But if you are a target of an aggressive driver what should you do? Well, get out of the way and don't make matters worse by triggering a confrontation. Also, avoid eye contact and steer clear, giving angry drivers plenty of room. Take an unintended turn or highway exit to get away from someone who may be targeting you is a good idea. Try giving an "I'm sorry" wave of your hand, not to be confused with the middle finger.

Also, report their license plate, their vehicle make, and the details of your interaction to the authorities immediately. Do not challenge them by speeding up or attempting to hold-your-own. If a driver continues to hassle you or you think you are being followed, drive to the nearest police station or busy place to get help.

Remember don’t be a jerk… your car is a lethal weapon. Drive as if your life depended on it because it does, and the lives of others as well.