Had a close call today!!

[txinvestigator]

I live near this incident and drive on those roads daily. I suggest you slow down and take it easy. N Tarrant is not posted 50, but 40. The left lane in surface streets is not the "fast" lane either. You referred to the other driver as having an attitude problem? You flashed your lights at a person who was not driving like you wanted, and he out "tough guyed" you.

I don't want that kind of driving on roads my wife has to drive on with my kid in the car.

The other posts have convered the rest well; however, I would like to add that if your only response to a person who displays no weapon, and is not a deadly threat is to reach for your gun, then you need to re-think your reasons for carrying.

A handgun is not some magic tool to scare away people you antagonize or tick off. It is not a force field that allows you to behave as you want with immunity. In this case, your "alligator actions overloaded your jaybird posterior".

What would you have done had he walked towards you? Shot him?

[medicff0879]

I don't know what scientific studies have shown, but when music about killing cops and others over beefs is played so load that it hurts ones head 3 cars opver, it can't have much effect on lowering adreneline.

You said it, man.

Music affects us on a deep level. When Stravinsky's Rite of Spring was first performed, the audience panicked and rioted. (I can't listen to it.) Hip-hop makes me want to lash out, and I'm one of the most laid-back people you will meet.

- Jim

The irony in this is that today as I started for work I decided to try just this suggestion, before I had read these post. I put it on the XM Comedy channel and laughed the whole way to work. I noticed that irritation come on at a few moments but took a few deep breaths and focused on the sounds of the comedy. I agree that the Christmas music is also quite soothing as well.

TxInvestigator, I didnt deliberately "bright light" the guy, my car will flash the bright lights (sometimes unintentonally) when you hold the stick to change lanes. It must have been construed as me "bright lighting" the guy and that is where it began, as I was passing he cut into my lane as if to try and force me onto the shoulder and flipped me off. It was from there that the situation went downhill.

As far as him approaching me, I feel that I would have driven off had he attempted to reach into my car. I felt that deep down I would have never brought myself to pull the trigger. I figure in the end this idiot will do the same thing to someone that will not hesitate (nor care) and it will end differently for him? I understand that it is my responsibility to act like an adult. This was an incredible moment of weakness and I know that.

Overall, I am going to rethink my music selections as suggested above. I have found that the music I listen to changes how I handle the road in very noticiable way.

Again, thanks for the responses. I believe the whole reason I posted this was to put myself out for crucification and ridicule as I know I deserve all that is said. I have taken none of it personally as I wouldnt have posted this in the first place if I didnt expect the responses given in honesty. I do work in the medical field and have actually seen the consequences of "road rage" first hand when I started working for an EMS company in Ft. Worth. I KNOW BETTER, but did not understand why I acted as I did?

[medicff0879]

I don't know what scientific studies have shown, but when music about killing cops and others over beefs is played so load that it hurts ones head 3 cars opver, it can't have much effect on lowering adreneline.

You said it, man.

Music affects us on a deep level. When Stravinsky's Rite of Spring was first performed, the audience panicked and rioted. (I can't listen to it.) Hip-hop makes me want to lash out, and I'm one of the most laid-back people you will meet.

- Jim

I looked that song up when I read your post and your right, that song drives me insane LOL!! Just too much stuff going on in there to help me relax in any form or fashion.

[seamusTX]

Medicff0879, I'm glad you're you're making progress on your path. It's the best any of us can do.

- Jim

[lawrnk]

I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that rap is the most popular music in jails/prisons. Hmmm.....

Everything that I could say has been said except for this: Play some relaxing music. Headbanger music and hip-hop probably contribute to a lot of trouble.

- Jim

I'd have to disagree with you on that one, whats relaxing to you may not be relaxing to others. Also I dont believe that listening to rap or metal contributes to aggression, no offense but I think that statement is a little silly. I think that when the music a person listens to or the games they play are blamed for their actions its just another way of taking the blame off of the individual. Irrational people are irrational by nature, whether they listen to Mozart or Killswitch engage.

[seamusTX]

I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that rap is the most popular music in jails/prisons. Hmmm.....

Rap is passé. It's hip-hop now.

- Jim

[lawrnk]

I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that rap is the most popular music in jails/prisons. Hmmm.....

Rap is passé. It's hip-hop now.

- Jim

Note taken. One could also could call it glorifying drugs/violence/welfare with a tad of misogyny mixed in.

[KBCraig]

I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that rap is the most popular music in jails/prisons. Hmmm.....

Rap is passé. It's hip-hop now.

Not to mention, Tejano wins the popularity poll in most prisons.

[DoubleJ]

POLKA!!!!

[flb_78]

you would of went to jail and you most likely would of been in violation if you had used your handgun.



PC §42.01

Disorderly Conduct

(a) A person commits an offense if he intentionally or knowingly:

(1) uses abusive, indecent, profane, or vulgar language in a public place, and the language by its very utterance tends to incite an immediate breach of the peace;

(2) makes an offensive gesture or display in a public place, and the gesture or display tends to incite an immediate breach of the peace;