Is why I put a dash cam in my truck.... Takes a video of front and back and can be swiveled to the side in cases like yours and catch that stuff also...They are not that expensive anymore and damn sure worth having.


edited for spelling

How hard are they to install? I have a Prius, and would hope I could get one in without too much trouble?

to have corroboration in any potential dispute.

BUT, I hope you read all the reviews on it, the battery does not last long enough to use it much unless it is plugged in....It is not the best one out there but probably one of the best in that price range. I tried 10 0r so different ones in that range before I settled on this one, had it about a year now and it keeps on pretty well.

in the heat of the moment, or because people get scared and don't think of it, a cellphone that takes video isn't going to be much help.

Having a dash cam is well worth whatever one has to pay for it.

Feel so much better. A lot of douchebags on the road around here. At least my survivors will know what happened.

I can't tell you how many times I've almost been his by someone pulling out of a side street without even slowing down, never mind stopping.

Actually they are the worst of the worst "Me First" drivers on the road. Seconded by giant shiny SUVs. Next are the luxuries bmw, lexus, mercedes, audi, jaguar.

So next time be so deferential to give them the road, they deserve it

people moved in from another state and decided our polite ways just weren't for them. So they think we should drive 10-15 miles over the speed limit and give way to anyone who wants to drive 20 miles over the speed limit.

What's the difference between a porcupine and a BMW?

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The porcupine has pricks on the outside.

I drive a sub compact car and often the drive home from work is just scary..... I always move out of the way of anything bigger than my car (and that is pretty much all of them).

and they'll release it on subpoena.

Make sure you follow this one up with the DA's office. This jackass does need to be off the street before he does kill somebody. He's getting ready to.

Cases like this are the only time I enjoy the current surveillance plague.

Following up is important on this, as this person might very well become a murderer.

I am surprised the cops didn't find drugs on him.

Be that person who takes the extra step to protect the public good.

I am sorry this happened to you, and I am also thinking it is a good idea to take a little time off to calm down.



Cher

I'm glad you're ok. Seems there are more aggressive a-holes out there than ever. I feel like we're devolving.

The stress level is very high worldwide. So is the fear level. Some people respond with a chronic, simmering rage through which they filter everything. Because of their stress overloads, it takes much less to set them off.

Other people respond differently to increased stress--with anxiety symptoms, with depressive episodes, by learning to "space out" and detach from reality, and in many other ways.

The species seems to be going crazy at about the same pace that the climate is.

and it will probably increase.

and it is contagious...sometimes I wonder if it might be a good thing, like an alcoholic hitting bottom.

On Saturday at work there was a 20 minute screaming match over one person not handing tape to another. It was incredible.

You make a good point, Jackpine. I think you nailed it. Things are getting weirder and angrier by the day. I don't know where or when or how it will end, but I doubt it'll be pretty.

I am not being snarky or being a jerk, but I feel the exact opposite. I find people today are a lot calmer and less angry than they were from 2006-2012. Again this is just my own personal observations, but I and my wife were talking the other day and both of us stated that people seem to be smiling and laughing more in the last year than anytime in the last 10. She jokingly said everyone must be on anti-depressants....I don't know, I just don't see angry people like I used to and I work around the military every day, most people are chill and relaxed and all the stress we saw during the war seems to have significantly lessened.

The deputy taking our statements said that there have been a lot of these incidents in recent months, so the best thing to do is ignore "a-holes like him" (direct quote). It's a little tricky to do, though, when they pursue you & escalate the situation. You are very lucky to live where you do.

Michigan here too. I live in Wixom, southeast in the lower close to Milford. People here are kinda laid back, moreso than on the west side. My youngest lives and teaches on your side. He notices the change in attitude from here to there also.

I don't really understand it. We have higher population densities, more diversity and don't forget the up and coming City of Detroit.

I just stay off the e-ways during rush hour. That commute seems to take a toll on people.

Sorry this happened to ya, glad you guys are physically ok!

Coulda been much worse we had an incident happen in Howell about 40 minutes west of here.

Dad was shot dead by a road rage crazed guy. Shook us up even here. But as more info comes out seems as both had anger problems. No excuse for the action tho.

His research is almost fifty years old, but VERY relevant.

you describe it well.

High anxiety everywhere.

Last edited Mon Dec 15, 2014, 08:18 PM - Edit history (2)

Because I had an Obama bumper sticker on my car.

It was so stupid, all I had to say was "I'm not voting for McCain. What do you want from me?" and they just stared me down for a while and then left.

I don't know what's the matter with people who feel the need to intimidate or hurt people that don't agree with them. It's why I'm not a Republican.

if someone is following you. Drive to the police station and if they follow you there, hit the horn until you get someone's attention. You don't really want these people to know where you live.

I.wouldn't put an Obama bumper sticker on my car during the '12 election...People are just too nuts anymore.

An old man isn't going to go toe to toe with a young guy

I read in your post your friend was 71

A guy in his 70's doesn't care to go fisticuffs with a 20 , 30 or 40 year old

I can't believe how rattled I am. Apologies!

I'm just glad he wasn't seriously hurt .

Got to be strong. No one slights you with out getting slighted more.

A lot of angry people out there and many are just powder kegs waiting to explode.

Sorry you had to go through that.

Bullies abound and there's no stopping them. I truly hope the police do something.

He should pay Gary's medical bills if he has any, and you are right about what might have happened if he had a gun.

And if you or Gary had a heart attack, this wouldn't even make it to DU. This crap is getting worse, not sure the cause.

Could it all be media? Are they are drugs? Are they demented in some way, brain not firing right?

I'm running into more people with explosive anger and I can't take it anymore, so I avoid them.

and in November when he was coming to clear leaves/gutters, etc.
he had a guy in a pick up riding his tail, then swerve around him to get
in front of him and slam on his brakes a couple of times. Our handyman
guy dropped back, then the idiot dropped back and got next to him
at the stoplight. Got out of his truck and opened the passenger
door to handyman's truck, who grabbed his big flashlight and told
him, 'don't do it. get out' and took off when the light turned. At the next light
he pulled in to gas station and called 911. A city worker pulled in behind him
and asked if he was ok--he'd witnessed it. Turned out our handyman guy had
his i phone right there and caught the guy's license plate, so when cops responded
he could give it to them.

This is in quiet little college town of Chapel Hill on the main street coming in to town
from the freeway. Total nutcase! I told our handyman he was lucky the guy didn't pull a gun
on him when he opened the passenger door.

How scary! Glad you were able to get a few hours off. People are really nuts out there.

people are nuts everywhere, especially at this heavily consumerist season but it can happen anytime, anywhere now. I think people like this are often on uppers or excess caffeine. But the bottom line is anxiety. Also the rightwing mass media that pits people against each other.

I have seen it in the area you are talking about--very aggressive reckless driving, and getting worse. I even see it in pedestrians who expect you to move aside for them if you occupy space along their trajectory. I have stopped moving aside and just let them brush me. But can't do that in a car. Yes this problem is much much worse than it used to be.

If his vehicle was boxing you in, then that means he followed you into the lot and boxed you in. There is no way in hell he could claim that he was fearful if he followed you into the lot and boxed you in.

Check with Walgreens and see if they have video of the incident.

Yeah, what the hell is wrong with people?

in case there are some hidden injuries. 71 years of age for even minor injuries is no joke. I hope the police pursue this. I'll bet this guy already has a long rap sheet for violence.

is that what we've become?

But do it soon. Don't know how long they keep the recordings.

If a younger man or woman attacks an old person like this.
Ripping them out a car and throwing them on the ground.

Those types of people don't deserve to breath .

The man was driving a dealer car his co. uses or smthg. so no need for regular inspection (or registration?) sticker. As he was getting the papers to show the cop, the cop tasered him. Bizarre stuff.

This country is mentally ill, stressed to the max, acting out. What I've thought for a while now. Pretty clear.

There's another post here about San Jose and Seattle cops messaging- aggressive talk about authority, power to shoot, socialists coming to tax them. It's scary, not funny. And much influenced by RW hate media I think.

Then not so scary.

I'm a poet!

From the OP it sounds like this guy wasn't about to stop

It doesn't take much to severely injure or kill an elderly person

somebody like that. I hope he doesn't have a dog--he'd probably beat it. Man, it must suck to be him, seriously.

your story really hit home. I know an elderly man who was 82 that was assaulted by
a young man and woman. It was in broad daylight just like your story.

He was returning cans to a deposit dispenser and the couple thought he was taking to long.
So they grabbed him and throw him out of the way. He ended up falling over some boxes
and shopping carts breaking his arm.

The people did get away but the police tracked them down from the store cameras .
Now the both of them are still in jail.

Keep a can in the glovebox. One shot will disable the most insane freeper.

Also wear little jingle bells on your shoelaces so you don't surprise a grizzly.
Keep an eye out for grizzly crap as a warning that bear are around. You can always recognize grizzly crap because it smells like pepper and has little jingle bells in it.

Glad you're here. Hair-raising story, isn't it? Road rage. It can kill. It already has.

Everybody be safe out there!!! We need you to stick around - and keep voting!!!!

Good one, Jack, good one.

Thanks for the laugh, I needed it today.

I love your posts and your wit but I have to call a time-out on this one. Beside the fact that the joke is so old it has a rind on it.

I live in bear country and give wildlife safety orientations including instructions for use of bear spray. Some things to know about it...

1) Bear Spray is 4X the concentration of the pepper than is used on the kind for humans.

2) Effect on bears is a sound olfactory whack on the nose lasting about 45 - 60 minutes; for humans it's at east 45 minutes of puking and crying while blindly groveling on the ground (you may be prosecuted for using this grade of pepper spray on a human in some locations).

3) Not the best idea to have it (as in leave it in there like a flashlight) in the car as the heat could cause an unpleasant problem if it expands and blows a seal on the can from high heat.

4) The spray in bear spray cans is like a liquid projectile that creates a vapor cloud up to 30 feet from the can when sprayed. You could get sprayed at the same time unintentionally... not good, totally incapacitating. Especially in close places.

So get some human grade spray, it probably costs a lot less too, and is not likely to incapacitate you when you use it.

Other than that, carry on.

Did you ever explain your subtly pornographic avatar?

and I don't know why. There are more bullies at large, even in my small town where we know each other.

I am not going to take any crap. And I am glad you did not take any crap, either. Please stay calm and safe. It is over, and you are all right.

Clinton administration. Civility began to really go out the window around that time. I could be wrong, but I don't think so.

"back bench bomb thrower." He specialized in saying the most insulting, most outrageous, most over-the-top things possible. I remember during the whole Susan Smith mess (she's the one who drove her two little boys into a lake, still strapped in their little baby seats, and drowned them because she was hot for this single guy who didn't like kids. And she mewled and whined about how some black guy carjacked her with them in it. She eventually confessed - and became the most hated woman in America for quite awhile). He turned around and said - this is what you get when you vote for Democrats.

Which is why I LOVE turning the tables and pointing out - "that's what you get when you vote republi-CON." BACK ATCHA, newty, you MISERABLE DETESTABLE FUCKING SCHMUCK!!!!

Global Mass Insanity? Due to all the radiation from nuclear bomb tests, Chernobyl, TMI, and Fukushima? There is a poster on ENEnews.com who has been saying that GMI is real and radiation is at the root of it.

IDK. People sure are getting weirder and weirder. Maybe radiation is causing people to lose it?

apocalypse doom & gloom! And RW Hate Media 24/7, began with Newt probably, the Grandfather of the Tea Party. It's been running hard 20+ yrs. with the propaganda, Turner Diaries et al. Very effective at inciting fear, hate, anti-govt beliefs, survivalism, and good at bringing in record gun sales. The left distains all this cuz they're glued to the internet, not bothered directly. And they get better, real news. Which is about like saying I'm oblivious to the starving, glue and meth crazed neighbors living near the freeway two communities over because it's not bothering me. Yet.

And I forgot to mention about the one nuclear waste depository in SE New Mexico, the one they call the WIPP - Waste Isolation Plant - which was created to store nuke waste underground for a thousand years, burped last January when some of the waste caught fire. They had to vent the smoke into the air. And of course, in our region, is the Oak Ridge nuke complex.

There is no level where radiation is good for you:

http://www.psr.org/news-events/press-releases/psr-concerned-about-reports-increased-radioactivity-food-supply.html

Interesting theory. We also have other reasons for the level of anxiety these days. Could be accelerating it though. Just in the total amount of stress factors.

The cops find them real fast.I hope your friend is ok.After age 60 getting hurt is a big deal.Make a statement for the cops ,gary will win in court.Have the cops get the security camera stuff for evidence.If the cops resist go straight to the city attorney or prosecutor.Your assailant may have been a cop.The cops won't do anything but lie if he is.

if I knew.

that maniac shooting and killing H2O Man's young cousin and attempting to shoot the young man's father as well.

after reading this. Collective psychosis is right.

I generally agree with the above. I am not justifying someone acting crazy like the above however driving in the US can be a very frustrating experience because of the incompetent and inconsiderate drivers. Owners of the left lane (normally should be used for passing then move back to the right), nobody understanding what that thing is sticking out of the steering column (it is used to signal when you are turning OR changing lanes) etc...

But then they'd probably just go hog up the right lane, sigh...

That's really only for restricted access highways. Roads with many intersections and driveways - the left lane rule does not apply. Driving on a suburban or urban 4-lane, you should not expect the left lane to be only for passing.

I suspect, since the OP was able to turn in to a Walgreen's, this was in a suburban setting with a relatively low speed limit (25-45).

low--45 MPH, but it's still really rude to go puttering down the street at 25 MPH while in the left lane.

by simply getting behind the wheel of a vehicle. Normal people can turn into monsters when they perceive the person in front of them isn't going as fast as they want to go, or the person wont turn in front of someone and wait for a safer moment to act. In my old neighborhood I was constantly passed on the left when I signaled left and slowed down to turn left into my drive way, had many close ones.
Disney did a cartoon about road rage many decades ago, so this is nothing new.

There are so many good people out there, like you and your household and your supervisor and just every day people who would give you the shirt off their back. But the scary ones, they are armed and dangerous, and some are police. It's good your 911 call helped the situation. I would hesitate to call the cops.

from my normal EDC 380 that I actually carry.

guys and blocked Gary's car. And, pulled him out of it. Surely there was evidence of that(scrape from being thrown on ground)? No?

Mahalo for the reminder about idiots on roadrage.. it would have been Much Worse if he had a gun. Pretty sure it's happened before.

Glad you have an understanding supervisor, too.

That, and a total and callous disregard for anyone else. These people are the most important people in the world, so traffic laws, common courtesy, and plain old common sense just don't apply to them. Add to that concealed carry, and that is ONE dangerous mix. You never know anymore what will set people off.

Scary situation. Glad you and Gary are okay.

You will enjoy this story.

I was traveling to work about a month ago and had to take a detour through the "richest town in the U.S.," or so says the media. As I passed a large estate, a car pulled out behind me. I was going the speed limit and continued to do so.

The detour ended and I re-entered the reservation, a huge, lovely wooded area. It is a pleasure to drive to work through this peaceful setting, but on this day, Mr. One Percent decided to stay on my tail. I wasn't about to let him ruin my good time, so I forgot he was back there.

I approached a stop light at a major intersection, and Mr. One Percent must have been very aggravated that he could not get around me. He began honking furiously. Having forgotten he was there, I applied my brakes, but rapidly realized what was going on and let off the brakes. I braked because I thought it might be a warning honk--maybe I was about to hit someone.

Mr. One was furious and as the light changed, he swerved around me very fast, and very aggressively. Then he stomped on his brakes, trying to make me hit the rear of his car!

It was then that I saw one of the most amazing things ever: a huge, black SUV with tinted windows suddenly lit up. It had been to my right and behind me. It was an unmarked patrol vehicle! All of a sudden, there were lights everywhere on this vehicle and it pulled Mr. One to the side of the road. As I passed, I had time for a nice smile. Mr. One's face was distorted with anger.

I continued merrily through the woods, and as I looked in my rear view mirror, I saw the officer approaching Mr. One's vehicle. It was like a scene from a movie. I enjoyed it so.

So as a poster upthread remarked, there is another side to all this surveillance. I don't like it, but I liked it on this occasion. I also figured Mr. One had to get at least two tickets out of that deal and a nice surcharge on his insurance.



Cher

That totally made my day. Thanks for sharing!!

It's great when a cop appears out of nowhere.

I've never seen that, unfortunately. But I have seen a lot of instances where someone will buzz up behind me, tailgate, get frustrated that he can't pass, but manages to get around me anyway. He'll then swerve back into my lane, drive fast...only to be held up at a stop light or by slowed traffic. And here I come, puttering up behind him, while he sits. What did the jerk gain?

I have been passed on side streets where the speed limit is 25.

The sad, and scary, thing is that anymore you see these types of driving as threats, not mere annoyances. I always get a little nervous when this happens. You just don't know what people are thinking.

pass me and another truck in the emergency lane on I-65, then he cut in front of the truck that I was passing, into my lane just in front of me and slammed on his brakes. There was no where to go but, into the middle grass area of the interstate or run over him. I was pulling a very heavy load and couldn't stop that quick. I'm sure his time will come, and his road rage against truck drivers will get him killed! The #1 rule of the road is, the one with the biggest wheels wins!

He did rear end me at a left turn light that was red. he jumped from his car and came towards me, he was unarmed (thank you FSM).
So when I got out with my tire iron, he calmed down very quickly. I explained very calmly I would be happy to have the police come, he went on his way. This was in the 80's, still a lot of assholes and idiots out there. I'm glad you and Gary are safe.

I am not accusing you of embellishing your story but a Jeep Liberty weighs 4,076 to 4,290 lbs compared to Ford F150 4,154 to 4,930 lbs, not a lot of difference. 71 years old, I am 71 years old, cancer survivor, I am a cancer survivor x 2 that don’t get you a free lunch.

Big ass, shiny white full-size F-150 pick-up truck come on now, big ass gas guzzling Jeep Liberty.
Long story short Gary got into a confrontation on the street, pulled over and got his ass whipped. Good luck but without collaborating witnesses that is the way it will be.

jacked up asshole tires too. Excuse the hell out of me.

You are mad at the wrong person. If you want to vomit on someone do it on the SOB that roughed up your friend. Find out who made the police report and make sure they know you expect justice. The squeaky wheel does get the grease and if no one pushes this it will be just another report on a busy desk.

Dress your age or ten years older, if you know what I mean. Go for the Grandma look. This jerk needs to be seen as abusive to older Americans.

If there's a substantial age disparity (i.e. the perpetrator is younger) that can work in your favor. Use every advantage. The prosecutor should be able to tell you if this guy has any motor vehicle or violence/battery priors...and I'll bet he does.

I don't know what the hell is the matter with people, either, but that jerk should not be permitted to get away with that kind of conduct.

rather than going after the criminals who are destroying the country.

Glad you are okay.

Probably because anyone who did that would have an excellent chance of having the targeted person step out of their vehicle with significant firepower and more than enough legal justification to use it. I seriously could not imagine that scenario happening in this state - unless the aggressor was a cop.

I know the one in my area does. They can back up Gary's story.

the last 30 or 40 years have seen standards of living drop for the vast majority. People are scared and some are out of control. I am glad that nobody was seriously injured.

people are scared and don't have the inner strength necessary to deal with all the changes and deterioration of quality of life.

The incident might have been recorded.