okay before i begin. keep in mind i DID stop after i understood the situation. so i was driving home from work. i’m a 24yr F. i was also by myself. i see this guy when im coming up the road like running in the middle street and i couldn’t make out what he did but he was clearly reacting poorly to a car that just went past him. so he’s continuing to scream “HEY HEY HEY” and waving his hands around not making any clear hand gestures. my first thought was oh he wants to talk? then i noticed a truck (like cdl driver big truck) a bit farther behind him like a reasonable amount of space so i had no clue he had anything to do with this truck. i truly as a women am just always guarded so when i see a man screaming at cars and waving his hands and yelling hey multiple times… im sorry but thats kinda scary especially being alone so my initial thought was to go around him. mind you i was aware of the truck i was watching the road and i was already in the process of slowing down bc i saw it in the middle of the road but i just didn’t want to stop next to this random man not knowing intentions. as im getting closer he nearly runs in front of my car so i slammed on my breaks and then he continues to scream “I WAS CLEARLY TELLING U TO STOP” and some more inappropriate comments. meanwhile i just gave him a thumbs up and laughed at him bc as the truck driver was backing his truck up he smiled at me and showed me his hand as many drivers do in a way to thank each other. I would clearly stop for a truck in the middle of the road… I will not stop for a man who looks like he’s gonna go crazy. he could’ve been yelling stop and simply pointed to the truck if that was his goal and i would’ve understood he meant no harm. but he continued to throw a tantrum bc i almost didn’t stop right in front of him. i can’t stop wondering if i was wrong for that or if i have valid reasoning for it.
NTA.
Assuming this was some sort of delivery or service situation, the guy needs to learn how to stop traffic safely.
Including a little sensitivity to the idea that at least 50% of drivers are going to be wary of anyone trying to stop their vehicle.
agreed!
NTA. That man is crazy.
If you’re helping a truck backing up, you use the correct High Vis equipment to do so.
thank you!!!
You can get away with just about anything if you have a high-vis vest, a hard hat, and a clipboard.
You handled it well. I hope you keep your doors locked when driving (and parking).
NTA.
yes of course. i literally kept watching him bc he was the like pacing around my car screaming 😭
NTA.
You have NO obligation to stop just because some rando “tells” you to. Unless he’s a cop, of course. It could have been a set-up.
fully agree thank you
NTA! Something similar happened to me. This was long ago, but I was driving home late at night after dropping off a classmate. We had a group meeting, and he lived near USC. If you know the area, it is not the best. I was driving down the main street, heading towards the freeway, and off to the side of the street is guy leaning against a parked car. I was a bit scared when he started walking out into the street, waving. I slowed down, but didn’t want to stop. He finally stepped almost in front of me and yelled stop! And then he started yelling at me. That is when I noticed to my left, there was a film crew on campus. I was so fixated on him on my right that I didn’t see the film crew to the left. They were also inside the campus, not right near the street. I told him I didn’t see the film crew. But really, it was late at night, in a sketchy neighborhood, he had no uniform or signage. I was a single female. Yeah, I was scared.
i completely understand being so focused on the guy you aren’t fully aware of everything else going on. even tho the truck was huge for my own safety ofc i was more focused on the man cursing and yelling and running in front of my car lol i saw the truck thankfully but he was very distracting!!!
NTA. It was a strange man screaming while running at you. HELL no
NTA in this world. As a woman, I’m not stopping for anyone but a cop