So, I'm heading home yesterday, 3rd in line to turn from Rt.3 South onto Reidel. Ever since the conversion of that stretch of Rt.3 to "Michigan Left" style turnarounds, U-turns back onto Rt. 3 North at that particular intersection are prohibited and clearly marked as such.
A guy in a Tundra, who we'll call Mr. 'Roids, tries to make the illegal U-turn onto Rt.3 North, which is backed up to the intersection, and thusly blocks the travel lane for a little Honda S2000, myself, and everyone behind us. The Honda dutifully lays on his horn, the Tundra scoots up a little, and the Honda and I both proceed onto Reidel.
The next thing I know, Mr. 'Roids is behind me on Reidel, moves to the center turn lane, and floors it to catch up with the Honda. Briefly looked over at me, but didn't really slow down as he passed. When he caught up with the Honda, it looked like he had rolled down his passenger window and was trying to apologize (not) for his transgression, but I guess he wasn't satisfied with the Honda's response (or lack thereof), so he gunned it again and swung back into the travel lane, just in front of the Honda and came to a stop, now blocking Reidel.
The Honda stopped as short as he could. I was dialing 911 at that point, and had pulled half-way into the shoulder to give myself more room for a turn if necessary, and there was traffic approaching from behind now. I was probably 100 ft. or a little more from Mr. 'Roids.
Mr. 'Roids got out of his truck (this is where I wish I had my camera app located more conveniently on my phone). Honda, seeing Mr. 'Roids get out, made an expeditious U-turn to GTFO and headed back towards Rt.3. Mr. 'Roids looked at me for a few seconds (now that I was the next vehicle in line), made some nasty gestures, was yelling something I didn't particularly care about, then got back in his truck and headed back towards Rt.3. Not sure if he was following the Honda or just proceeding towards his original destination.
As I continued on my way, 911 picked up (probably less than a minute after I initiated the call) and were not interested in any information, but did helpfully ask me to call again should I need the police in the future.
I had made sure Mr. 'Roids saw my phone over the dash, but I sure as hell wish I had my gun under the dash at that particular moment. I don't really ever want to be in a position where I have to use my vehicle as a weapon, but I would have been running low on options if I hadn't been able to leave as much room as I did or if traffic coming the other way had prevented me from being able to turn around.
It's been a long time since I've seen anything that dramatic on the road, but damn. Not fun. I only wish there were a way to identify Mr. 'Roids from his tag number so I'd know who/what I'm dealing with if he ever turns up again, despite the fact that I wasn't his original target (since I'm sure he got a good look at my tags if he was even functioning at a high enough mental level).
WTF is wrong with people?
-Rob
A guy in a Tundra, who we'll call Mr. 'Roids, tries to make the illegal U-turn onto Rt.3 North, which is backed up to the intersection, and thusly blocks the travel lane for a little Honda S2000, myself, and everyone behind us. The Honda dutifully lays on his horn, the Tundra scoots up a little, and the Honda and I both proceed onto Reidel.
The next thing I know, Mr. 'Roids is behind me on Reidel, moves to the center turn lane, and floors it to catch up with the Honda. Briefly looked over at me, but didn't really slow down as he passed. When he caught up with the Honda, it looked like he had rolled down his passenger window and was trying to apologize (not) for his transgression, but I guess he wasn't satisfied with the Honda's response (or lack thereof), so he gunned it again and swung back into the travel lane, just in front of the Honda and came to a stop, now blocking Reidel.
The Honda stopped as short as he could. I was dialing 911 at that point, and had pulled half-way into the shoulder to give myself more room for a turn if necessary, and there was traffic approaching from behind now. I was probably 100 ft. or a little more from Mr. 'Roids.
Mr. 'Roids got out of his truck (this is where I wish I had my camera app located more conveniently on my phone). Honda, seeing Mr. 'Roids get out, made an expeditious U-turn to GTFO and headed back towards Rt.3. Mr. 'Roids looked at me for a few seconds (now that I was the next vehicle in line), made some nasty gestures, was yelling something I didn't particularly care about, then got back in his truck and headed back towards Rt.3. Not sure if he was following the Honda or just proceeding towards his original destination.
As I continued on my way, 911 picked up (probably less than a minute after I initiated the call) and were not interested in any information, but did helpfully ask me to call again should I need the police in the future.
I had made sure Mr. 'Roids saw my phone over the dash, but I sure as hell wish I had my gun under the dash at that particular moment. I don't really ever want to be in a position where I have to use my vehicle as a weapon, but I would have been running low on options if I hadn't been able to leave as much room as I did or if traffic coming the other way had prevented me from being able to turn around.
It's been a long time since I've seen anything that dramatic on the road, but damn. Not fun. I only wish there were a way to identify Mr. 'Roids from his tag number so I'd know who/what I'm dealing with if he ever turns up again, despite the fact that I wasn't his original target (since I'm sure he got a good look at my tags if he was even functioning at a high enough mental level).
WTF is wrong with people?
-Rob
