South Austin road rage victim wants aggressive driver to face charges (how much, law)

[nomore07]

South Austin road rage victim wants aggressive driver to face charges | kvue.com | KVUE News local

[Runemaster]

Honestly, I'm not one for advocating violence, but I'd have pulled that guy outta the truck and beat him. Nothing anyone does on the road is worth endangering a child. Jerk. I hope he goes to prison.

[TexasHorseLady]

Okay, red herring of bashing aside (want to talk about sounding like a six-year-old?), this is the third case I've heard of recently of road rage, and something needs to be done about it. And it's NOT making excuses for the miscreant because of traffic conditions in Austin (I can hear that coming a mile away on here); it's holding the criminal responsible for his or her actions and having harsh penalties for throwing a hissy fit with a thousand pound metal object.

[Runemaster]

Originally Posted by TexasHorseLady

Okay, red herring of bashing aside (want to talk about sounding like a six-year-old?), this is the third case I've heard of recently of road rage, and something needs to be done about it. And it's NOT making excuses for the miscreant because of traffic conditions in Austin (I can hear that coming a mile away on here); it's holding the criminal responsible for his or her actions and having harsh penalties for throwing a hissy fit with a thousand pound metal object.

Agreed. And a Chevy 3/4 ton truck weighs in around the 5000 lbs range.

[Jennibc]

It is hard to believe that anyone would ram a car with his truck like that, but I guess there are a fair share of Neanderthals carrying driver's licenses. Probably a mixture of 'roid and road rage.

[TexasHorseLady]

Well, that was just to take into account all the possible vehicles that the law could apply to!

[intmd8r]

Originally Posted by TexasHorseLady

Okay, red herring of bashing aside (want to talk about sounding like a six-year-old?), this is the third case I've heard of recently of road rage, and something needs to be done about it. And it's NOT making excuses for the miscreant because of traffic conditions in Austin (I can hear that coming a mile away on here); it's holding the criminal responsible for his or her actions and having harsh penalties for throwing a hissy fit with a thousand pound metal object.

[love roses]

I can't believe that some of the replies to that story sided with the aggressor.

[TexasHorseLady]

I can. Thus my comment regarding making excuses for the miscreant not being the solution.

[tongpa-nyi]

Driving presents us with a wonderful opportunity to learn about the inner workings of our minds. To drive is such an unnatural act to begin with, it seems to give rise to the worst of our nature as we are granted a sense of power and control that our brains never evolved to cope with. Given that false sense of control, we imagine that we're entitled to experience a smooth ride without red lights, traffic jams, or other drivers who don't do exactly as we would have them do.

All the while, we are doing unto others precisely what we would NOT have them do unto us. We get in a hurry, cut people off, fail to yield, or just happen to get to the yellow light at the last second, stranding the person behind us who then feels angry that we got in their way.

This is who we are. All our best pretensions at civility and righteousness go out the window when we're behind the wheel.

Here are some suggested practices I've recently adopted in order to transform my personal experience of driving:

1. When someone cuts in front of you, imagine that they really need to be there and wish them well. Give thanks for the fact that both of you are still safely on the road.

2. When you're in a hurry and the light turns red, be happy for the people on the cross street for whom the light turned green. Imagine them being in a hurry too, perhaps one that is more important than yours. Or, if you can, just be happy for them regardless of their situation.

3. At random times as you're on the road, send mental images of love and safety to those in other cars. Wish them a safe journey, good health, and enjoyment of the moment.

It's actually very easy to practice these things. And you'll be surprised by how much better you'll feel. That's the true reward of kindness --- it brings you the blessing of inner serenity.