First of all, let me say I hope we can all agree to disagree and still come out of this without animosity. Some good points here on both sides, but I doubt we're going to find common ground as everyone is coming from different perspectives.
MJ... sorry, I can't go with your assertion that her SUV could outrun his bike. It takes a very special car to out perform a motorcycle, and her Dodge Durango just doesn't fit the bill. So no, she couldn't get away if he was bent on keeping pace with her.
Angel- I can't stand people who ride my bumper, nor do I tolerate it. If they get too close, I put on the hazards and slow down. I'm not saying the motorcyclist wasn't justified to be upset, but once tempers start flaring the last thing anyone should do is escalate it further by then setting out to intimidate someone.
Society didn't instantly become better drivers the day this guy bought a bike. I'd love to ride one, but recognize the reality is I don't trust people like Parrish to be courteous and attentive. I agree bikers have just as much right to be there too, but the risk bikers take to enjoy that right just doesn't seem balanced. The consequences outweigh the benefits for me. I'm sure this guy is well aware of the poor drivers on the road, but for some reason he felt it was his duty to get off his bike and come towards someone he just had heated words with. Wrong wrong wrong thing to do.
How do I know he was the aggressor? Hmmm. If she had been the aggressor, and was simply acting out in a fit of road rage, it would have been all too easy to simply run into him when he stopped in front of her. But she didn't... she stayed in her car. He escalated it to the point where now she has to guess his intentions as he's approaching.
But calling him an "aggressor" isn't quite accurate either I suppose. His intent may have been to scold her for endangering his life and nothing more. The area we need to look at tho, is that in the context of what happened,
is there a possibility that she perceived his approach to be more than he intended?I feel the answer is yes, it's quite possible she saw him as a threat. It's a threat that could have been avoided had he not got off his bike. Had she been a police officer, the guy would be flopping around on the ground with taser probes stuck in him. As it is, most people buy a gun. But the result is the same: He put the SUV driver in a position to make a split second decision regarding hers and her child's safety. He's wrong.
It's not over tho, and like I've said, I'll change my position should something come out which suggests he was right for coming towards her, or that she was pursuing him.
Good topic.
