I’ve always loved western TV shows. Heck, when I was a kid, they were about all that was on prime time TV. The Lone Ranger, Big Valley, Ponderosa, The Rifleman, Bonanza, Wagon Train, Gunsmoke, Rawhide (I could go on).

Road rage and guns…sounds like a contemporary western. When I moved to Texas in 1978, nearly every pick-up truck had a gun rack in the back window with a big ole rifle on display. Later in the 90’s I moved to Northern California near Napa Valley. There, nearly every pick-up truck had a wine rack in the back window. With Texas once again being an open carry state for nearly two years now (meaning you can openly carry a handgun – in a hip or shoulder holster if you have a handgun permit), I am blown away when I see someone trying it on with another driver, knowing good and well that they are likely carrying a gun.

With road rage running rampant, making someone mad, when chances are they may have a weapon on them, is not only stupid, but may also be deadly. And by deadly, I mean for all of us out there, because inevitably other vehicles will be involved (like it or not) and some of those vehicles will be carrying children.

We all know that the best way to not cause someone to twist on us while we’re commuting, is to basically pay attention. I always hear someone that was in a wreck say “he came out of nowhere.” Well, no actually he was there, clearly, you just didn’t see him because you weren’t paying full attention. These are a few things I’ve been working on, that seem to help while I’m on the road.

  • Try leaving the house a bit earlier than normal so you’re not in a frustrated rush.
  • Don’t tailgate people.
  • Keep up with the flow of traffic.
  • Don’t swerve into someone else’s lane while you’re monkeying with stuff.
  • Keep your horn to yourself, unless it’s absolutely necessary.

You can’t really avoid getting in the middle of a someone else’s road rage dispute. But if you see it going down, it’s probably better to back off and take an alternate route. Don’t follow along to see how it plays out, so you can film it and post it on YouTube (I know how y’all operate). After all, you can probably see what the outcome was on the six o’clock news.

Until next week…

Daun Thompson

Writer / Comedienne / Artist

Road Rage and Guns – Comedy Defensive Driving

Category: Uncategorized

Author: Daun Thompson

Daun Thompson has spent years acting in both film and theatre which has been paramount in launching her onto the comedy stage (incidentally, without a helmet, resulting in a nasty concussion). Being a funny girl is a full time job. A job that she hopes that one day will come with dental benefits and a 401K. Unlike her work, she is biodegradable, yet flame retardant. And gentle to the touch. Her goal in life??? For strangers to approach her and ask "Didn't you used to be somebody?" In the late 1980's she cut her teeth at the Velveeta Room on 6th Street in Austin, Texas ... the original room with the stripper pole. From there, she moved to northern California and worked with many comedy icons, like Mitch Hedberg, Marc Maron, Colin Quinn, Vic Dunlop, Huck Flyn, Michael Mancini, Doug Ferrari, Shang and Brian Posehn. Daun has been a licensed driver safety instructor and trainer with Comedy Defensive Driving for over 9 years. Her knowledge of driving safety laws keeps her readers informed and engaged with her blog adventures. She still continues to do stand-up comedy, sometimes in a reclining position...just to be different.