The Chainlink

Road rage revisited.

Last month I was almost run into parked cars on a four lane one way street in downtown by an SUV.

It pissed me off but did not enrage me as it used to initially. I just rolled up to it at the red light, like always, to tell him he was too close in a normal tone of voice and without a scowl face.

He rolled down his window and yelled "you don't belong on the streets asshole!"

At that, I lost all control of my calm and went back to the rage I used to feel when I would get all bloody and stupid with these types 10 years ago as he peeled off to the next light.

At the second light he gave me the finger salute and was mocking me riding my bike with his woman next to him being joyfully amused.

By the third light he was jockying to get away, with his lady friend now a little less delighted by her dufus' behavior.

By the fourth light I gave up remembering those pointless destructive experiences from before and rolled off.

Should I have just taken a photo of his plate?

What good would it do?

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Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on December 5, 2011 at 8:57pm

I did. 

911 is the appropriate number if you're calling about anything happening "now."

Maybe it would be helpful to explore this . . . if there was a driver harrassing you, what do you think the 311 call center might be able to do to help?

Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on December 5, 2011 at 9:11pm

If it is an immediate need 311 is just going to kick you to 911 which, in all reality, just means you are wasting 311's time because of your fear of wasting 911's time.

911 has people calling them because McDonalds is out of McNuggets and because they got ripped off buying crack; trust me yours is no where near the most useless call they get in a day.

Permalink Reply by Zoetrope on December 5, 2011 at 9:16pm

H', if you're an expert (like you seem to be implying) on this issue you should say so and cite some kind of source so that the community can all benefit.  You know... since I didn't claim to have the right answer in the first place.  I merely told Juan what I had done in the past, and suggested it as an option when deciding what to do in the future.  

h' said:

I did. 

911 is the appropriate number if you're calling about anything happening "now."

Maybe it would be helpful to explore this . . . if there was a driver harrassing you, what do you think the 311 call center might be able to do to help?

Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on December 5, 2011 at 9:30pm

Calm down, Brendan. My "expertise" is, on average, at least 3 calls to 311 and probably at least one to 911 per week for the last 8 or 9 years. I think you know good and well there's nothing to "cite."

Maybe you're just having a bad night, or a bad week (and maybe I am too) but you seem to have a tendency to cherry-pick anything that can be taken as a personal critique, and completely ignore the useful information being offered to you.

I'd like to try this again so you and maybe others can come away with a better understanding:

If there was a driver harrassing you, what do you think the 311 call center might be able to do to help?




Brendan said:

H', if you're an expert (like you seem to be) on this issue you should say so and cite some kind of source so that the community can all benefit.  You know... since I didn't claim to have the right answer in the first place.  I merely told Juan what I had done in the past, and suggested it as an option when deciding what to do in the future.  

h' said:

I did. 

911 is the appropriate number if you're calling about anything happening "now."

Maybe it would be helpful to explore this . . . if there was a driver harrassing you, what do you think the 311 call center might be able to do to help?

Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on December 5, 2011 at 9:37pm

From 311 FAQ:

  • When should I call 311 vs. 911?

  • You can call 311 to find out what Police District and beat you live in, as well as the date, time and location of your next beat meeting.  Also calling 311 allows you easy access to non-emergency police services, from filing police reports to talking to police personnel in your district.  You should call 311 if the incident that you are reporting has occurred and the offender is gone from the scene.
  • You should call 911 if the incident or you are reporting is in progress and the on-site presence of a police officer is necessary to help resolve the matter (e.g., burglary, incident involving injuries, quieting loud neighbors, etc.).

I take the on-site or in the act part of it to include anything that has to do with a dangerous or irresponsible motorist on the road because you would want their info sent out to the cops ASAP.

Permalink Reply by Zoetrope on December 5, 2011 at 9:39pm

Hey, I'm calm, but thanks for you concern.   ;) 

And since you didn't catch the sarcasm, I know full well there is nothing to cite, because this is a matter based on opinion, and it's more nuanced that you initially admitted (before you edited your post).  

If you're having a bad week, I understand.  I've been there.

It's been a pleasure debating this, but I have nothing more to say.  

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