Honk With Caution

Driving home from dropping Laura off at preschool is usually a pleasant drive. It's mostly just driving down one long road with minimal traffic. Today was no different. Until, up ahead, I spotted him. The crazy driver that seems to be appearing with more and more frequency in my town. This time it was a big black SUV, tailgating a work truck in the right lane. I was in the left lane and caught up quickly since he was driving much slower. Just as I was about to pass, I realized with absolute certainty that he was going to get into my lane, no matter what. Who cares that there was a lady in a cute little VW to his left? He was going to do it.

Me, wanting my VW to stay cute and intact, braked as he whipped into my lane. And as my father and husband have taught me, I honked. Not a long honk, just a "hey, dude, you almost hit me" honk. That was obviously the wrong thing to do. He slammed on his brakes and proceeded to flip me off.

Well fine. Whatever. Laura wasn't with me, I knew I was in the right, and it wasn't my eternal soul being jeopardized by the bad language. But this guy was pissed. He was flipping me off so vigorously (I realized he was turned around in his seat while doing it) that his car started to go off the road. Now this was getting exciting! Eventually he swerved back into his lane, and nearly hit the person next to him. But he wasn't done. Now the hand came out the window. Now it was back in the car and he was turned around again. Then he changed into the lane next to me in the hopes of driving along beside me.

Luckily for me, a red light stopped us with him farther behind with him back behind the work truck he wanted to pass to start with! When the light turned green, I used my raw German power to get the heck out of there. Naturally he caught up, honking and flipping me off some more. Serious issues, that guy. Finally he turned off the road. I had the presence of mind enough to get his plate number and called the police (who were so much more helpful this time!) but the most they are able to do is patrol the area where he was driving to look for him. I wish I had called while it was all going on, but I was also concentrating on not getting hit.

So a fun morning. I'm off to run and hopefully not be subjected to any more middle fingers for the rest of the day.