I was a student in Univeristy college Cork in the late 90's and was returning back at the end of an easter break. Driving the long haul back to Pembroke dock from Cardiff on the M4 and I was tailgated from Bridgend to just outside a place called Llanelli - about 35 miles. i was catching a 3am ferry so was driving at a really late hour.
The journey was utterly terrifying. A ford escort drove so close I could see 2 make sillouhettes gesturing at me. There were no service stations in thos days and, I wasn't familiar with the towns and villages I passed. I was totally alone, dead of night, no mobiles, and was being chased by a car that tailgated, overtook, slammed on, so making me slam on, and drove alongside me.
I finally came to a services exit, took the exit but the services was in darkness, so I drove around this huge roundabout 3 times in the hope that I'd see a police car. The escort followed me each time and, by this point I was a sobbing wreck . In my panic, instead of rejoining the M4, I took the exit to the closed service station and drove into what can only be described as the most relief I have ever felt - about 4 huge goods lorries, lights on in their cabs, with the drivers out talking together and drinking from flasks. I rememeber my legs as jelly because I stalled the car about 20 metres from them, but I was out of the car and running, in floods of tears and stricken with fear.
I was so, so lucky because these lorry drivers saw my fear and cared. The escort had stopped at a distance but was revving its engine until 3 of the drivers started walking towards them. Fucking cowards sped off and I didn't see them again.
Thy gave me sweet tea and reassured me that the car was truly gone. Three of the four lorries were in convoy to Pembroke dock and I spent the next 40 miles driving between 2 of the lorries and feeling utterly, utterly safe. I remember driving into the most hideous of rain storms in St Clare's and still the lorries stuck with me until I reached the dock. I didn't find them onthe ferry, and I so wanted to thank them.
Sorry for the essay, but I've not told anyone this story before - I was home visiting my Dad because he'd suffered a brain haemorrhage so telling my folks the whole story would have caused them to worry about me, so I said nothing to no one. Bullying and harrassment on the roads is fucking terrifying so I hope this thread helps someone remember their road safety.
I only remember one detail - the driver of one of the lorries was in his late 50's, from Newcastle, and his name was Raymond. He had dark brown hair, side parting and hands like shovels. He'd be in his late 70's now, so if someone out there knows of him, give him a hug for me.