What makes someone cross the line between impatience and assault? I’ve been thinking about this question a lot the past few days. Over the weekend our modem decided it had had enough of this world, so I was forced to leave the house before Noon in search of a new one. The drive into town is about 15 minutes and then it takes another 5-10 to reach the larger stores. I live in farm country.
Something about living in the country makes people forget there’s a speed limit. If it’s 45 mph they have to go 55 mph, or even 65 mph. It’s the country. Whatever. I normally drive only five miles over because living in the country also means sharing it with wildlife. Deer, opossum, fox, armadillos, racoons, wild turkey, etc. Usually drivers who can’t handle my speed preference will just go around me, occasionally some will ride my bumper, but I’ve never had one attack me. Until now.
No one was physically hurt, but they could have been. However, I was intimidated, terrorized and mentally abused. The driver didn’t seem to have an issue until I reached the heart of Watkinsville. He had been following me close, but not annoyingly so–he had plenty of opportunities to go around me. In old town Watkinsville the speed limit is 25 mph. On this day the Farmer’s Market was in full swing. I slowed to between 20 and 25 mph watching for people crossing the street.
The driver of the large pick-up truck towered over my little Ford Fiesta. He swerved back and forth, coming ever closer to my bumper. When I had the nerve to stop at the traffic light he thumped me–not by accident but as an attack.
There are few things that scare me, but this, from another human being, horrified me. I was terrified. I pulled out my phone and began to dial 911. As the light turned green the operator came on, I pulled the car over and he zoomed past me. But not before I could read off his license plate. It was the first thing I said, knowing 911 calls are recorded. The police did find “him” and he came to the station for a serious talk. As I said, there was no damage to the car and I was not physically hurt. I was shaken and on edge the rest of the day. I found myself continually looking through the rear view mirror for a green pick-up truck.
Why would someone do this to another person? What is the point?
I wish there were some wisdom I could shed on the situation, but there isn’t. You had a brush with a crazy person and that’s always hard to deal with. It takes awhile to get your bearings after an encounter like that. Don’t let him steal any more of your brain space.
Yes, it really through me for a loop for a few days, but I’m feeling better about the experience now. I still find myself looking in the rear view mirror for him. The fact that he lives somewhere close-by is not comforting, but in time my anxiety will pass.
So sorry you had to go through something like this Amanda. I don’t know what possesses people to behave like that. Glad you weren’t hurt.
Yikes! I would be upset, at least as upset as you if not more, by this encounter. And also by the fact of the driver’s proximity to you. Proud of you for calling 911. That takes guts. I don’t like to drive, and now even less so.