Road Rage in San Antonio--

[mamabearCali]

So we visited the beautiful Lone Star state and for various reasons left our weapons at home. We will not be doing that again. During our trip to San Antonio to visit the Alamo we had a crazy guy cut his little truck in front of us and boxed us in (we have a huge RV) and shout out his window that we cut him off. My husband told him in no uncertain terms to move on, and attempted to move our rig around this guy. The man then pulled his truck in and boxed us in badly this time and said he was going to follow us all day long. My husband told him to move on again more firmly this time (using stronger language) to which he said he had his big TEXAS gun! Chris then turned the wheel of our 12,000 lb when empty RV (and it was far from empty) to his little truck and proceeded to call the police. At this point the guy sped off and all was well, thank God. But it could have ended much differently--and we had no way other than trying to smash his car to oblivion to defend ourselves. We were quite worried the rest of the day that he would go looking for us and then we would have had nothing but a pocket knife to defend ourselves with--not much use against a gun. Moral of the story--not everyone is a sane gun owner and God forbid you get a dirtbag with a chip on his shoulder and something to prove or have something less than a 30 foot RV. Don't leave your guns at home when traveling.

[chasfm11]

As a fellow RVer, I'm sorry about your troubles in SA. In is, unfortunately, a part of life as an RV driver.

Very few passenger car motorists seem to understand that one doesn't turn or stop a 10K pound plus RV the same as the vehicle that they are driving. We've discovered that a percentage of them do not believe that it is necessary that they share THEIR road with any RV. They have a chip on their shoulder at the very sight of an RV.

I agree with your point that it isn't a good idea to leave your firearms at home when traveling in an RV. Based on the information that you provided, however, a gun in the situation would not have helped you.

I strongly recommend having no interaction verbally with another driver, particularly one who appears incensed. Like you, I've had to deal with a driver who seemed bent on our destruction. In my case, it was because she got a very short tap on our air horn for almost running into the side of us as she was texting while driving. The next 5 minutes were very hairy. My new strategy is to immediately dial 911 at the first sign of road rage. I have a bluetooth ear piece so that I can maintain control of the RV while reporting the incident. I have no intention of allowing the other driver to cause me to be involved in a crash but some of those drivers are so crazy that it takes all my skill to simply stay out of their way. There is simply no way to out run them so stopping and getting off the road is the next best choice. If they come after me then, I've done more than I'm required to do.

We have about 40K miles on our RV over 7 years. I will tell you that I work much harder today at not being close to anyone when maneuvering that I did when we first started RVing. When I have to pull out in traffic, I time passing vehicles using a spot in the distance. It takes me about 8 seconds to turn and start accelerating in a lane and I don't want anyone, even if they are exceeding the speed limit to run up on me to the point where they could claim that I cut them short. It can sometimes make for a long wait. The same is true when passing. We are nearly 62' long (RV and tow car) and I try to allow double that distance before attempting to change lanes. Part of the joy of RVing is to enjoy the trip and there is no way to do what when you have to deal with drivers like the one that you had. Again, I'm sorry that anyone has to.

[mamabearCali]

This was our first trip in our RV so we are still getting used to everything, but Chris is the best driver among us so it is doubtful he cut anyone off--he just pulled in front of someone that did not like our VA plates and had a chip on his shoulder. My husband has such a good heart he thought perhaps the fellow needed medical help or something that is why he even talked to him. Most other incidents we have had with Road Rage simply involve a middle finger and a few shouted words, not an idiot who boxes us in.

No a gun would not have helped us out in that situation, but had he come to find us later that day like he said he would it might have. We parked our vehicle with trepidation and had to re-approach it later that day with great caution. It was not what happened but the potential of what could have happened that scared the daylights out of us. All in all we had a good trip to TX--one loon does not ruin a great state.

[TxRVer]

I'm sorry you had to deal with one of the many idiots in our state. I hope your visit was enjoyable, despite that incident.

[MoJo]

Don't leave your guns at home when traveling.

Amen, and plan your itinerary around the States that recognize your State's CHL. I think if they don't want my CHL they don't want me or my $$$$.

[Dutch]

There is no excuse for the other driver's behavior but don't dismiss the possibility that you cut him off without knowing it.

[Purplehood]

There is no excuse for the other driver's behavior but don't dismiss the possibility that you cut him off without knowing it.

I have to agree with you, but when I drive I assume that the RV driver can overlook me, and plan for that.

[kjolly]

De-esculation is an art. Sorry you had the experience in Texas.
In a road rage situation being the first to contact a police dispatcher ensures you look like the sane victim.

[mamabearCali]

There is no excuse for the other driver's behavior but don't dismiss the possibility that you cut him off without knowing it.

It is of course possible--but it was certainly not intentional if it happened at all. Somehow I don't ever remember boxing someone in and threatening to follow them around all day when I have been cut off and even a few times run right off the road. Blaring my horn at them to stop then from crushing my car--sure. Thats ok next time we will just sit there dialing 9-1-1 with our windows up taking down his liscence plate and description and since both of us have phones his picture too.

[TexCHLFan]

I have to think this guy was not a native Texan.

Texas, or "Tejas" is the Caddo Indian word for "Friendship", and for many years, Texas was known as the "Friendship State", and later dubbed the "Friendly State".

My kids are 5th generation Texans. I learned to drive with my left hand on the top of the steering wheel so I could easily turn it into a wave to a passing car. With so many cars on the road, it is getting harder to do, and outside my rural area neighborhood, I don't see many people using this practice anymore.

But on behalf of native Texan's everywhere, I am so sorry this happened to you. I used to see bumper stickers that said "I wasn't born in Texas, but I got here as fast as I could". We welcome anyone from Virginia, or most anywhere except New England, New York, California, or other such places (ha) - - no seriously - - I hope your other travels throughout the state go without problems. Folks who may not be native, but got here as fast as they could, usually have this "friendly" attitude as well.

All that being said - - - for all the other times you are here or anywhere, carry always, carry everyday . . . . be safe.

[mamabearCali]

Well as I was born in Hondo TX, and one of my uncles died at the battle of the Alamo (his last name was Cloud), I am a native texan as well. I can't tell you how much I miss TX, the food, the people (well most of them). My poor husband had the misfortune of being born in NY, but he got to VA just as fast as he could, and if it wasn't for the heat, the snakes, and the scorpions could be happy in TX too. We had a great time in TX, idiots drivers not withstanding. Can't wait to get back, but it is a long drive.

[TexCHLFan]

mamabearCali:

WOW! Daniel Cloud was one of the last groups to arrive at the Alamo on the day the siege began. There were some individuals who came in over the next few days, but Captain William Harrison's Tennessee Mounted Volunteer's that Daniel Cloud was a part of arrived on that fateful day that the battle began.

You certainly have some Texas heritage to cherish and be proud of!!

No wonder you were visiting San Antonio and going to visit the Alamo - - and then this unfortunate event happened! I'm sure Daniel Cloud would have been the first person to your defense if he were alive today.

With roots like that - - I am one Texas who hopes you make it back to our fine state one day for good. But - - just as your great uncle did when he came to Texas - - - bring your guns!