Hank Silverberg, wtop.com
WASHINGTON – A road rage incident on Interstate 66 during Thursday’s morning rush hour led to an arrest.
State police say a black Mercedes-Benz cut in front of a Toyota Camry in bumper-to-bumper traffic around 7:30 a.m. The cars were traveling east near Nutley Street in Fairfax County
When the driver of the Toyota honked, the driver of the Mercedes stopped in traffic, blocking the Toyota, and got out of the car.
“The driver of the Mercedes then hit the windshield causing it to crack,” says State police spokeswoman Corrine Geller. “As the driver of the Camry started to roll his window down, the driver of the Mercedes reached in and struck the other driver.”
The Mercedes driver then started to leave, but Geller, along with many witnesses, say Yoon Suk Yi, the 37-year-old Mercedes driver, was stopped a short time later.
Yi, of Strasburg, Va., was charged with aggressive driving and destruction of property, Geller says. The Toyota’s driver declined to press assault charges.
Yi posted $1,000 bond and is out of jail.
Geller says this is a reminder that drivers should be very careful when responding to aggressive driving.
The state police have some guidance on how to deal with aggressive drivers, and how not to become one.
To avoid an aggressive driver:
- Simply get out of the way and steer clear of aggressive drivers on the road.
- Stay relaxed. Remember that reaching your destination safely and calmly is your goal.
- Don’t challenge them. Avoid eye contact. Ignore rude gestures and refuse to return them.
- Don’t block the passing lane, especially if you are driving slower than most of the traffic.
To avoid becoming an aggressive driver:
- Let other drivers merge with you.
- Obey posted speed limits.
- Don’t follow other drivers too closely.
- Resist the temptation to teach someone “a lesson.”
- Concentrate on driving and avoid distractions.
- Remember you can’t control traffic, but you can control yourself, your driving and your emotions.
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