State police investigate N.Va. road rage

WOODBRIDGE -- Heavy Memorial Day traffic on Virginia highways has sparked at least one incident of road rage.

The drivers of two cars began arguing Friday afternoon and started to display "some type of road-rage behavior" while traveling south on Interstate 95 near milepost 157 in Woodbridge, said Corinne Geller, a Virginia State Police spokeswoman.

It happened just before 2 p.m. in heavy traffic. Police gave this account:

After the initial incident on the interstate, one of the cars, described as a black BMW, got off the highway at the Dale City rest area.

The second car, driven by a woman with a man in the front passenger seat and a child in the rear seat, also exited at the rest stop.

When both cars stopped, the driver of the BMW got out of his car and walked up to the woman's car, opened his shirt and displayed a handgun at his waist. The man never took the gun out of its holster, so it was never pointed at anyone inside the car.

The man then got back into his car and sped off, Geller said.

Police are looking for the driver of the BMW and a passenger.

The woman was unable to provide a clear description of the two men in the BMW, Geller said.

Geller offers drivers these tips to avoid road rage:

• If another vehicle is driving aggressively and/or recklessly, distance yourself from the dangerous vehicle and dial #77 on a cell phone to reach the nearest Virginia State Police Emergency Communications Center.

• Provide police with a detailed description of the suspect vehicle, direction of travel, and a description of the driver and passengers inside the suspect vehicle.

• Get out of an aggressive driver's way and steer clear of them 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.

• Give them the benefit of the doubt. Not all aggressive driving is intentional.

• Don't block the passing lane, especially if you are driving more slowly than most of the traffic. Move to the right lane.

Anyone with information on the incident at the Dale City rest area is encouraged to call Virginia State Police at (703) 323-4503.

Uriah A. Kiser is a staff writer for the News & Messenger in Prince William County.