Shaking- road rage incident

[123bumblebee]

Shaking currently. Just driving down a dual carriageway, 2 of the same huge artic Lorrie’s (without trailer attached) racing each other. One in outside lane beeping other cars to get out of its way so it could overtake its mate. Then pulled back into inside lane. My crime was to wave my hand (not swearing or anything) as my husband overtook (within speed limit, he’s a sensible driver) as they had just tried to overtake again into our car as we were passing.

Stopped in lane 2 of 3 at red light- lane 3 is a lane for a right turn. The lorry driver came around at the red light, into the right hand lane, in front of us, across and came out swearing at us. My husband told him we had our 2 year old in the car and lorry driver told us we were “fucking lucky we have her in the car or….” I can’t remember what threat was said, I was trying to get pics and so shocked.

I want to report to police, husband thinks they will just back each other up and while I have a pic of the lorry across us at a red light and also a live pic that has sound of him swearing at us but husband think it won’t be enough proof. I’m also worried if we did they would come after us and find out our address, they are clearly unhinged violent people.

I think you should report it. I was travelling on the M4 last night and witnessed an HGV intimidating a car in the middle lane, he was right up their arse. He didn't even have the excuse of teaching a middle lane driver a lesson because the left hand lane about to become a turn off at next junction lane. By the way I don't think there is ever an excuse for an HGV driving that close to a small car (or any vehicle).

Enlighten me, please!!

I, we stick our hand up to say thanks. I, we can shake our heads when a morinic driver has cut us up, pulled out in front and caused us to brake hard etc and or a slight tap on the horn

I am lost as to how one would "wave, you nearly killed us."

Was there a company name on the cab that you caught on camera at all? Appreciate it’s a bit difficult to see as no wagon on back. Was it a UK reg?

You should definitely report to police non emergency line. Truckers are highly regulated and dangerous driving/threatening behaviour will be taken seriously especially as you have it on camera.

@Shade17 sorry- I misunderstood !

Right... I think the lorry driver was definitely more in the wrong than you, but imo you're not 100% innocent or in the right either.
In my experience, both parties in these heated encounters have not and do not act as well as they should. I am including myself in that assessment too, btw.

If I were you OP, I'd leave this now as sitting here and reliving it all night, arguing with strangers that you're right, and that's not going to help you. Go and do something relaxing.

Was the firm name on the Lorrie’s. Report them to the employer. If it’s a decent firm action will be taken. Also get it on Twitter or a local site as if they were driving like idiots others will back you up and you can pass to
police

That’s completely not what happened. I never increased speed. I was sat behind lorry A. So not “pottering” along as such but doing the speed which the traffic in the inside lane was doing.

I couldn’t go faster due to the lorry I was behind. Lorry B was in the outside lane wanting to get past me (and I presume the lorry infront of me seeing as there wasn’t enough space for Lorry B to get between us and never was).

even if I had “lifted off” he couldn’t be “on his way” be he couldn’t get past the lorry I was behind!

If he’d been able to get alongside you he must’ve been going faster than you, if you’d maintained a constant speed then he’d have carried on with the overtake. If you had been doing that speed all along he wouldn’t have been able to get alongside in the first place.

I’ll just leave this here

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/article/2024/may/06/bournemouth-road-rage-incident-guilty

If you have the name of the company OP, I would definitely ring or email them.

I had a scary incident a few years ago when I was boxed in with a lorry inches from my bumper. It was a 50mph on a motorway during a roadworks section. All 3 lanes moving at same speed. I couldn't go anywhere.

I memorised the number plate and company as it was too dangerous (and illegal) to take a photo. At the next junction, I pulled off and found the company and wrote an email. They replied within an hour to thank me for reporting him and they would be taking action. They said they always took reporting seriously. I mean, I only have their word for that, but I'm glad I contacted them.

He never got alongside me, he was behind me just in the outside lane. I maintained a consistent distance behind the lorry infront and never sped up.

First of all big hugs . Secondly definitely report to police , think of it this way they could of seriously injured or killed you and your family

The cars must have been going really slow if trucks are overtaking them

Obviously report if you have him on video

And look at the link today for the guy who's going to get JAIL for doing the same thing

This is a very easy prosecution for cps. There will be dashcams, and cameras on the carriageway catching the dangerous driving and threatening behaviour

Some lorry drivers are nuts, it can be really scary.

I often use the WTF hand raise when I'm driving. It's generally a bad idea, but I seem to keep doing it 😄🙈.

Same, surely we have all made this gesture at some point??

Report them .
Other people might have also reported ( & have dash cam footage ) so you would be adding to the evidence .
If you have their employer details contact them too.
They’re very unlikely to come after you - how would they know where you live etc ?
They need taking off the road & if you do nothing , next time they could kill someone

For incidents involving HGV's try

The Traffic Commissioners

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/traffic-commissioners

Thet can make life interesting for the culprits and their employers

I do that WTF hand thing as well.

It's probably not the best idea because the men I've done it to in the past have already shown that they're unhinged.

What would you be actually reporting to the police if you can’t remember the threat that was made?

Dangerous driving/Driving without due care and attention?

Report and get a dashcam.