Hi,
I understand this may be a little different to many posts but an incident happened yesterday that has left me feeling upset.
I like to think I am a careful and considerate driver. I try not to drive over the limit. On my route to and from work there are static speed cameras and, occasionally, mobile speed camera vans. On one particular street the residents must have complained as signs indicating a maximum of 30 have been attached to lampposts and it has been known to have the occasional speed camera van.
As I have stated, I don't speed but my awareness of this van has made me wary on this road. Also, on this 2-3 mile stretch of road that is built up with house either side, there can be a bit of traffic and part of the road narrows where only one side of traffic may pass at any one time.
It is also dark and street lighting I poor and the glare from the lights from the oncoming cars can be a little off-putting and diminish visibility somewhat.
Yesterday I was driving back home on this stretch of road when a car begins to tailgate me. I don't just mean close but extremely close. I've another mile left to drive before we hit traffic lights. I refuse to speed up as not only would it be dangerous, I don't want to get caught speeding or being 'forced' to speed, so I maintain my speed at around 28mph.
As we approach the traffic lights that are fortunately on green, I indicate right and the aggressive driver behind intends to carry straight on. I am thankful the lights are not on red as I sense his fury. Instead of him driving straight on, he stops alongside of me, aggressively beeping his horn. When I look at him he is acting all aggressive and doing offensive language with his hands. I try not to react but I am deeply concerned he wishes to cause me harm. The hate in his face makes it seem he isn't just annoyed he really wants to cause me physical harm.
He ends up speeding away so bad his tyres screech and smoke comes off them. I am able to carry on right and drive home very shaken.
What worries me and keeps playing on my mind is the what ifs and buts. I keep thinking about what if the lights were on red and he had got out of his car to threaten me or damage my car? How do I react?
I am so worried it will happen again or I will see him again. I have to travel this route five days per week. I wasn't able to get his registration plate as he stopped alongside of me then sped off with force. I will invest in a rear camera for my car when budget allows.
I know this may sound trivial but this has caused me a little emotional trauma. I have never been threatened to that extent before on a road. I really don't think my re-telling even does it justice at how angry and aggressive he was.
Thanks in advance for your advice.