Finally decided to call-out a driver poor driving

[creadinger]

This was a first for me, so I thought I’d share…. Have any of you confronted someone soon after they made a bonehead move while driving? I can see how in some circumstances it would be highly inadvisable – like in Suitland where I work.

I think it was Thursday evening. I was riding south in Potomac Yard on the newly opened Potomac Ave. from my apartment in Crystal City to do a little shopping at Target, and to try out my new MiNewt light (unfortunately all the streetlights and city lights were too bright to make the MiNewt necessary).

Anyway, as I was getting close to the cross-street for the movie theater behind the shopping center, a driver just casually drove across the road without any hint of slowing or stopping at the stop sign. I wasn’t in any danger, but I thought that for the first time I’m going to call someone out and let him know he missed the sign. It’s not a 4-way stop so it would be particularly dangerous if people regularly ignore or don’t see this sign.

I looped around the movie theater parking lot and pulled up several feet from his car. As I pulled up I could see he was really overweight and had trouble getting out of the driver’s seat. He also had a bit of a tired/defeated look on his face which defused a bit of my anger and indignation. So I said, “You missed the stop sign right there”. He pus his head down and said, “I’m sorry, I just didn’t see it”. Well, this guy was clearly just not having a good day/week/month etc so I just said, “Well, that’s not very smart, you need to be a bit more careful”, and I continued on my way.

Later I felt a little foolish for feeling so angry about it, however I think it was the right decision to stop and tell him. I think for the future it would be best to give the benefit of the doubt initially. Having to drive to work on a daily basis while fending off people in luxury cars taking advantage of any little space has made me a bit quick to judge, and this guy clearly did not deserve a tongue lashing.

*please excuse the ridiculous title… should be “driver’s”

Topic

[SteveTheTech]

That kind of sucks. You think your are going to be the enlightener for once only to have face a sad sap. I guess it’s better than other possible outcomes, first that comes to mind is a car full of teens which may have lead to a different outcome. ugh, I’m so old

There have only been a few times when I would like to have hunted someone down and sought karmic vengeance but being the guy dressed like a fool I feel like I start out mildly disadvantaged, although a clean break can typically be quickly made if needed.

Next time bump the old thread around here. At least you’ll have a more receptive audience.
http://bikearlingtonforum.com/showthread.php?1115-The-quot-I-bit-my-tounge-quot-incident-thread

cheers,

[PrintError]

I was stopped at a stop sign the other day. Dude coming the other direction rolled right through it, barely slowing. I said “Nice stop.”, he yelled back “GO F*** YOURSELF!!!” and sped off.

I wasn’t even mean about it! Ahhh, I love people!

[Author]

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