Anything I can do about this woman?
Replies
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well, there is what i would actually like to do (stinger in the road, kick car as it passes, shoot out tyres?) and then there is what I would actually do, which is take down the number plate and report her to the police for unsafe driving!
Stand in the grass and photograph her car coming and going. Depending on the laws in your area, the police may or may not be able to do anything. However, being photographed might put some fear in her.
Then start running a half hour earlier.
Ohhh that's a good one. She will see you doing it. YEAH!!!0 -
Spike strip.0
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Air horn.
It will scare the bejeezus out of her.
HAHAHAHAHA0 -
well, there is what i would actually like to do (stinger in the road, kick car as it passes, shoot out tyres?) and then there is what I would actually do, which is take down the number plate and report her to the police for unsafe driving!
Stand in the grass and photograph her car coming and going. Depending on the laws in your area, the police may or may not be able to do anything. However, being photographed might put some fear in her.
Then start running a half hour earlier.
This is the best. When you hear her car coming, stop, step off to the side, and whip out a camera. Make it obvious what you're doing. I would report it to the police though, that's just ridiculous.0 -
If I read correctly, you say your husband jogs the same route on opposite days. Has he had problems with this woman too?
Yes! I neglected to mention it in my original post, but that's WHY I included that detail. We were talking about it recently - and we both have the same complaint about the same lady in the same car at roughly the same spot each morning.0 -
Some drivers don't realize they should move over. Obliviousness. I get that often enough when cycling. Maybe one out of every 500 cars. However, unlike cycling, I think it is legal to run against traffic. So that is your non-aggressive solution. Bonus: you can see all cars coming and how much room they give.
She will have to cross the road in order to buzz by you. That won't happen unless she is actively trying to target you.0 -
If I read correctly, you say your husband jogs the same route on opposite days. Has he had problems with this woman too?
Yes! I neglected to mention it in my original post, but that's WHY I included that detail. We were talking about it recently - and we both have the same complaint about the same lady in the same car at roughly the same spot each morning.
oh ok, cuz if it was JUST you and not him, I would say she likes him and is trying to bump you off so she can have him...
and you should totally leave earlier to determine which driveway her car is parked in, so you can sneak over there at 2AM and carve obscenities into the hood.0 -
Run against traffic. It's safer, you can see the cars coming towards you and it will solve your *kitten* problem.
Um, she does run against traffic. She said she runs with her dog who is on her left (where he is supposed to be) in the grass. She also said that she looks each driver in the eye as they drive by.
ETA: FYI: You're supposed to walk/run against traffic and ride bicycles with traffic. I thought that was common knowledge? It drives me nuts when I see people walking/running on the wrong side of the road. Don't you want to see who's coming at you?:huh:0 -
My husband had the same situation with a man in a pick up truck. One morning my husband flipped him off. This guy threw his truck in reverse and then tried to run my husband over, several times, going back and forth with his truck. Don't confront. You don't know what kind of crazy you're dealing with. Take down the make, model, and license plate. A photo and video is also good. Ask the police for suggestions. They may be willing to sit in wait and pull her over for speeding. It's legit. Now it's her problem, and you are covered. Good luck. If this doesn't work, run at another time of day. She's got 2 tons of steel at her disposal...0
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Up in my area, we get a good deal of runners/walkers/cyclists (I included cyclists here because they're quite prevalent, and I didn't want you to think I was talking about zombies). Because it's a town that was rural (think 1200-1500 sq foot houses with 2-3 acre avg. yards, with a state forest running through it) and has become more suburbia (those houses have been knocked down to make 3000 sq foot McMansions with 1 acre yards), there is a lack of sidewalks in most of the town, other than downtown/school areas, and the newer streets that they've been adding in.
As a driver, I notice that there are people who are aggressive in this manner, though not quite to the level that you're experiencing. It almost seems as though this woman has a vendetta against you, or more likely, what you're doing. Maybe seeing your dedication and progress makes her feel bad about her own health choices, and she's acting out. Then again, she could just be a miserable human who think that you're "ON HER ROAD!"
Disclaimer: I am annoyed by the cyclists in my town because they hit the hill and move to the middle of the road, backing up traffic while we all get to see bicycle butts going at about 4MPH. Our choices are swerve into the other lane and blow by them, or follow the butts. Even then, I notice people give them a wide berth, the same with runners/walkers. Some cyclists do hit the shoulder strip, which honestly isn't more than 6-12" of pavement between the white line and someone's lawn.
So my suggestions, take them with a grain of salt (but track the sodium)...
1. The towns near me have done road work and actually added in a bike/running lane, which is a good idea, so long as everyone stays in their lane. It doesn't work quite so well in cities, but people are getting there. See if your town can work something like that into their improvement agenda! Take this negative puss-face on wheels, and turn it into a positive. Find other exercising types in your area, and band together to see if you can get it done. Then she'd be breaking the law if she encroached on you, and you'd have a safer place to run.
2. Find other exercise people in the area. Everyone get together at the starting point one morning. Everyone run your route at the time she shows up.
3. Definitely bring up the safety of the area, and the speed of the cars. Too often, nobody acts until the tragedy happens. It might also spur along point #1
4. Get her plate and make/model of the car. Get her description (reasonably done). Make sure your husband has it in case she ever clips you (hoping that never comes to pass, but if she's persistent in her actions, it's a risk).
5. When she passes you, chances are she looks in the rear-view mirror to see if her passive-aggressive move had an effect. SMILE AND WAVE at her like "Good morning, neighbor!" Then, she'll realize that her anger has not been transferred onto you, and you'll be in her crawlspace instead.
Run safe!
This is a good one too. I don't think eggs, poop, nails, scratching a car will help you. You will be the one to get in trouble, not her. The "good morning neighbor" is good too. I know you want to punch her lights out but it may turn it around.0 -
*kitten* is such a perfect word. Thank you for using it this morning. :flowerforyou:0
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Can you try running with the traffic? Not ideal, but at this point the same people are probably driving by you every day. People know that there are runners on the side of the road. I know all of the people who normally jog on the sidewalks on my commute; I actually know I'm running late if the grandma who doesn't wear a bra has reached a traffic circle before me.
Just to clarify, I am running against traffic. I actually started out running with traffic and it scared the crap out of me. One, I like music so I don't hear the cars coming and I hate being "startled".. as well as that, I don't trust drivers to see me first. I prefer to zone out but still be aware with my eyes.. which is why I switched to the other side of the road.
These suggestions are fabulous. You guys have me cracking up.
I do like the stick idea but whoever mentioned physics made a great point about me breaking a wrist. What if I had the stick kind of behind my back, so if it did hit her car in some way, I can let it go and it will fling behind me?
I didn't think about high viz gear. I'm running in "bright" clothes - I'm usually in a orange, or bright pink. I don't have reflectors but now that I'm running regularly it sounds like an essential purchase I need to make ASAP.0 -
seriously?
have you guys NEVER ridden anything or been running and try to put your hand out??? riding a horse and put your hand out-bike or motorcycle?
physics people.
if she's HOLDING a stick- and it gets hit against an object moving 65 miles an hour- dollars do doughnuts says she's tear or sprain a wrist at best- or break one or both at worst.
my thoughts exactly... i did wonder why so many people thought it was a great idea... :noway:0 -
OP:
Because I know you love the sexypants link, I suggest you read that first.
Then…
I do not agree with any type of damage to the vehicle or potential damage to yourself or others. It may be a pain in the rear to go earlier, but it also may be the safest option. It seems taking information (license plate etc.) and letting the authorities handle it would be most appropriate as a first step.0 -
Pretty much what I was going to say. Have something large and sharp that sticks over just to the white line (so you're not breaking any laws) and if she gets that close again, her car will feel it. It might scare the crap out of her enough to make sure that she pays attention at least for a while.Start running with a big pointy stick so if so if she gets too close she will get a big old scratch down the side of the car - kind of like they used to do on Roman chariots
And the momentum may pull her down and drag her and the dog down the road. Hello!!!0 -
In for the getting her plate and reporting her to the police. At least get her plate so if she does hit you the police know who to charge.0
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Go out for your jog like usual, then when she passes really close, dramatically fall onto the grass and pretend like she hit you. If she doesn't stop, then maybe you should just avoid her altogether, since she wouldn't seem to care if she hurt you at that point.
But, if she stops (which she hopefully would), and goes over to you: play dead as long as possible, until she gets out her phone and starts to call 9-1-1, then spring to life, shout something at her like, "YOU JUST GOT PUNK'D!!!" and then run away.
PLEASE DO THIS. Hahaha...0 -
oh ok, cuz if it was JUST you and not him, I would say she likes him and is trying to bump you off so she can have him...
:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :drinker:0 -
Pretty much what I was going to say. Have something large and sharp that sticks over just to the white line (so you're not breaking any laws) and if she gets that close again, her car will feel it. It might scare the crap out of her enough to make sure that she pays attention at least for a while.Start running with a big pointy stick so if so if she gets too close she will get a big old scratch down the side of the car - kind of like they used to do on Roman chariots
seriously?
have you guys NEVER ridden anything or been running and try to put your hand out??? riding a horse and put your hand out-bike or motorcycle?
physics people.
if she's HOLDING a stick- and it gets hit against an object moving 65 miles an hour- dollars do doughnuts says she's tear or sprain a wrist at best- or break one or both at worst.
Don't wear neon- wear HIGH VIZ- there is a difference. something phosphorescence or fluorescence- or a blinking light.
1.) ask hubby if he has same problem
2.) get her plates- record incidents
3.) call police if you can
4.) carry 2-3 eggs and if you're really willing to go out on a limb- ball bearings- but I wouldn't recommend it. *kitten*'s dangerous.
playing chicken with a potentially NOT paying attention driver is about the dumbest idea ever though. Law of gross tonnage- even if technically you had the shoulder- guess what- you'd still be dead.
And THIS Is why I like Jo. She's a Spock, like me, all logic. :flowerforyou:0 -
carry an egg. throw it at her window and give her the bird.
i'm being serious.0 -
I would just run earlier.
BUT, if you're more confrontational and wish to stop her from being crazy, I would take down her license plate and see if the cops will talk to her. Don't play chicken with her. Yeah it's on her conscience if you die, but then you're dead.0 -
Pray for her. I like that option.0
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*kitten* is such a perfect word. Thank you for using it this morning. :flowerforyou:
One of my favorites as well... :drinker:OP:
Because I know you love the sexypants link, I suggest you read that first.
I was wondering when someone was going to whip this out!! :laugh:0 -
*kitten* is such a perfect word. Thank you for using it this morning. :flowerforyou:
Ditto0 -
Like others said I would get a plate number and call the police.
I live in a residental neighborhood (25 mph zone) and have had a problem from time to time. Last week it was the same car 3 days in a row almost hit me, on the 3rd day I punched the back of her car and yelled some things that would make a drunken sailor proud. She stopped and told me she never saw me...I noticed her phone in her hand while we "talked". She came off a dead end street so it would be no problem finding her. I told her to put her f'ing phone down and pay attention, now she waves and moves all the way to the other side of the street. Monday it was a mustang coming down my street at like 40, we have 15 houses on our dead end street where the hell was he going. He got out of the car in a neighbors driveway and I yelled yeah there is no need to drive that fast on this street there are lots of kids who run here in the morning, as a matter of fact my daughter was with me. He mumbled something and I said "what I didn't hear you". He then said "yes ma'am I understand". When he went in the house my daughter said he had a gun, I was like what? I didn't have my glasses on LOL. Sure enough he came back out and I noticed the police emblem on his shirt LOL so he definitely should have known better. The last couple days, he's come down the street at like 10 mph. Sometimes people are in their own little world and have no clue that they are doing, and sometimes they are just freaking idiots.0 -
I run in a very rural area also. I swear people see me on the side of the road and speed up as they are trying to get as close to me as possible. When I first started I thought maybe it was because I had darker colors on and they couldn't see me too well, so I bought a couple bright neon colored shirts and wear those. That doesn't work for some of them either!! I choose to do nothing. I am not going to let those crazy stop me from doing this for myself.0
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If you retaliate and do damage to her car, without witnesses, it's her word against yours and you may very well be stuck with the '*kitten*' status in the law's eyes.
I would err on the side of the law and do as others have said and report her.0 -
Pretty much what I was going to say. Have something large and sharp that sticks over just to the white line (so you're not breaking any laws) and if she gets that close again, her car will feel it. It might scare the crap out of her enough to make sure that she pays attention at least for a while.Start running with a big pointy stick so if so if she gets too close she will get a big old scratch down the side of the car - kind of like they used to do on Roman chariots
seriously?
have you guys NEVER ridden anything or been running and try to put your hand out??? riding a horse and put your hand out-bike or motorcycle?
physics people.
I'm pretty sure if you just imagine really hard that your hands are made of steel that will be enough to beat physics.0 -
Yep, public shaming is coming back.
Record it and post a video of it all over your home owners association (and the local schools and businesses) Facebook page with a desperate call to the police to help rid your neighborhood of this reckless driver endangering the lives of children.
:laugh:0 -
I bought a pair of knuckle lights at The Sporting Goods Store That Cannot Be Named (because it's also a nickname for part of the male anatomy and MFP blocks it). When I'm running they sort of bob up and down with the movement of my arms and make me very visible to oncoming cars. But they sort of aim more down than out, and they don't blind the drivers. That might be an option in addition to reflective clothing.0
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