I recently experienced a distressing road rage incident that has left me feeling frustrated, anxious and concerned about our society’s state and the laws governing our roads. Allow me to share the details of the incident and my subsequent reflections on the matter.
I was in the right-hand lane while driving on a two-lane highway with a speed limit of 100 km/h. This lane was essential for me to continue straight or make a right turn further ahead. However, there was a long queue of traffic at the bottom of the hill, a common occurrence during the peak hours of 4-5 pm.
According to the law, the right-hand lane should only be used for overtaking within the 100 km/h zone. Therefore, by the time I reached the bottom of the road, under the 100km limit (by law 90km/h) the left lane was designated for left turns, while the right lane allowed for straight or right turns. Locals familiar with this intersection understand the efficiency of staying in the relevant lane to facilitate smooth traffic flow.
On this particular day, I was adhering to the speed limit in the right-hand lane, fully aware that I would need to wait in the queue at the bottom of the hill for about 3-5 minutes. However, an impatient SUV driver was tailgating me aggressively, pressuring me to exceed the speed limit. To discourage this behaviour, I lightly tapped my windscreen wipers and tapped my brakes, not to brake-test the driver but to indicate my desire for him to maintain a safe distance.
As we entered the lengthy queue, the SUV driver went so far as to exit his vehicle and launch a verbal and physical attack on my car. Fortunately, my car had auto-locking doors, providing me with some security. He broke my driver’s door window. However, in the heat of the moment, I struggled to retrieve my phone to document the incident or capture the driver’s license plate. This was an illegal act. Using a phone while driving. FFS.
Subsequently, when I reported the incident to the Queensland police, I was informed that my actions were seen as provocative and that I had violated the law by remaining in the right-hand lane. Furthermore, using my phone to gather evidence was also deemed unlawful. Astonishingly, I was advised by the police that it is better to allow aggressive drivers to intimidate others for the sake of safety. Even slowing down to can be seen to be provocative.
These events have disheartened me by our current societal norms and the laws governing them. I am being penalized for attempting to navigate the roads safely and stand up against dangerous and aggressive driving. To make matters worse, the law prohibits me from taking necessary measures to ensure a safe driving distance, leaving me vulnerable and at risk whenever I leave my house.
In light of this incident, I find myself grappling with a deep dissatisfaction toward our society, the existing legal framework, and the entitlement displayed by some drivers. I strongly believe that we must address these issues and work towards creating a safer and more considerate environment on our roads.
In the meantime, due to the fact, I have no ability or rights other than spend thousands on front and back cameras to capture the moments to make sure I don’t break the law created to catch bullying and aggressive citizens in the hope my family or I am not hurt or killed.
This is life the Queensland Police think is fair. This is the life they want us to live. In fear with no way to protect ourselves.
