Did I Do Right ?

[Purple_Popple]

Waiting at red lights, the car next to me in a different lane sped off as the lights changed (car was in the same lane) then decided to speed up and cut me up - no indication, I sounded my horn and braked hard, then had the misfortune to drive the rest of my journey behind them watching them make hand signals and other gestures at me, then we come to a traffic jam, I made a note of their number plate just in case, they saw me taking this and promptly both got out of their car (2 male youths) and approached me ((I am alone in the car) waving their arms at me and mouthing off 'what the hell do you think you are doing" they shouted, I started to shake and just sat there listening - they carried on "you are a dangerous driver you f***ing white b1tch!" - they back into their car as the traffic started up again and I never said anything in response - i was left shaken and upset and shocked.
I immediately phoned the police to report them but now Im scared they will come after me.

[Mamyalynne]

You did exactly right not to respond to them - of course they won't come after you. It must have shaken you up though.

[Eve]

You poor thing, must have been horrible.

Chances are they were just mouthing off and trying to intimidate you. What did the police say? It's highly unlikely anything further would happen and at least you have something logged with the police now.

Depending on whether it is viewed that they have committed any offence the police may not take any action or just give them a talking to.

[Purple_Popple]

Police are coming to see me in a while to take a statement, they said because they used the words 'f...white bitch' they are treating this as racial hate ! (The youths were asian).

[Purple_Popple]

i feel so sick and shaky !

[pixie373]

You did exactly the right thing. Try to relax now. Maybe they have something more to hide and that is why they are worried.

[DJHawkes]

i hope they have no tax, insurance or driving licenses, that will shut them up. Let's hope the police can identify them and get them on at least a few driving offences.

[DJHawkes]

i wish you'd actually filmed them on your mobile though, i hope if i ever have a similar encounter i would grab my mobile and get the camera going

[sandyRoe]

If you'd bumped into the back of them they might have had a claim for whiplash injuries. They were probably angry with you because you didn't.

[Old_Geezer]

Couldn't imagine a better response from you. They aren't going to know who you are, the police won't tell them. Only pain in the neck is that you'd need cameras to be around if you didn't want to take an active role in proceedings. At least that would be my layman's guess anyway.

[Mosaic]

I have experienced similar from Asian youths in the past, and I believe a small number deliberately target lone female white drivers for their attentions. Good for you for involving the police, but please expect to be lied about if they manage to find and speak to these idiots.

[tonywiltshire]

I think it was Edmund Burke in the 18 century who said words to the effect of “All it takes for evil to triumph is for good men (or women) to do nothing”. There are times though when the best thing to do is nothing as when you were on your own and allegedly abused by two people in a vehicle, it is section 32 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 that creates a racially aggravated form of this offence and offenders may receive upon conviction a custodial sentence.

[Purple_Popple]

Oh well, just received a call from the police only to tell me that as there were no witnesses - these youths get away with their threatening and intimidating behaviour....great, so if I did the same thing you can bet your bottom dollar I would be dragged through the courts, witnesses or no! Grrr...

[Eve]

How frustrating for you :( Do they know who they are at least, that it is on record if something else comes up?

[Purple_Popple]

Thank you Eve, yes they do have the guys details on record and logged.