Precision Defensive Solutions

A Word Of Advice

I have been noticing more and more complaining about various aspects of daily life on social media but one aspect is extremely concerning to me because of these people’s safety and the risks they are putting themselves in. We live in a different world than we used to; I don’t know if it is the fast pace of life that society seems to demand or if it is other things causing stress and impatience. Either way we as a society have created dangerous obstacles that need to be addressed.

First, let me say I hate social media for many reasons, but I think the number one reason for me is that is gives people an outlet to complain and shame other people for things that they don’t like or to try to get instant sympathy even when the person complaining is wrong. Regardless, people seem to forget or maybe they don’t realize that shaming someone on social media is a dangerous highway to travel down. The more support you get from your friends, the more anger that can build in the person you are calling out.

We have been hearing for a long time about avoiding road rage incidents and how dangerous they can become. Yet people still engage out of pure emotion and anger. When this happens bad / violent actions occur and people get hurt or even killed over something stupid. It happens all the time and again it gets ignored.

Going on to social media and shaming people because of their reckless driving, or passing a school bus that has their stop sign out can be equally as dangerous. People are so quick to get their phones out and film these people that are doing the wrong thing or they post the description of their car or even their license plate number. I seriously wonder if the people who respond to things like this even realize the potential consequence for this behavior. Running and yelling at someone passing a school bus or filming the person at a bus stop just let that person know who your kid is, where you live and the like. Or if they see it on social media they know who you are. What if they retaliate physically or your actions against them after it was posted on social media? Is it worth risking physical harm to you or your family?

Before you say no it won’t happen to me, stop and think about the people who are shot and killed in road rage incidents over giving someone the finger. Do you think for one minute that that one person thought someone would kill them over it? Not a chance, because if they did they would have never responded to the negative action. If you insist on filming it and doing something about it, do it with discretion. Because if you post it on social media and something happens, you can be found to be at fault for escalating the situation is instigating it. If you have to defend yourself from physical harm that all can be used against you and before you say well they won’t find out, “NOTHING IS PRIVATE ON THE INTERNET” and everything is permanent.

Use your brain and quit trying to use public humiliation against these people; it is incredibly dangerous. Besides that, if they cared about your reaction they would not have done whatever they did that angered you to that point to begin with.

Here are some suggestions to help:

1. Video the incident discreetly if you must video it at all

2. Report it to the local police and give them the video, license plate number and type of vehicle.

3. Keep in mind they may have to witness it themselves to actually take action but at least they have been made aware.

4. Don’t get frustrated if you don’t get instant results from the police; they have a limited number of available officers to cover a large area and can’t be everywhere all the time. If the incidents keep happening, keep letting them know.

5. Avoid any confrontation with these people; you don’t know who you are confronting and it could have a devastating end.