Traffic incident

[peterb]

While I agree that the usage of a baseball bat is impractical and nonsensical, I was actually considering keeping something very simple - like a foghorn! Anything in our vicinity can be turned into a weapon, even a pen

True, but anything used as an offensive weapon may still leave you in jeopardy. Even if used defensively, you could still end up in court having to justify why you used it, and demonstrate that your actions were proportionate. Although I like the idea of a foghorn, I wonder if using a loud noise is classed as offensive?

As Saracen said earlier, best option is to drive defensively and assess what other drivers could do, and make allowances for their carelessness/stupidity/bad roadcraft. And if it does happen, shrug it off. Far better for your peace of mind, stress levels and blood pressure!

[GoNz0]

Best weapons the car should you be in trouble and the engines running. Drive away

[Ttaskmaster]

Big heavy torches, like those big Mag-Lites, help you see in the dark. You should always have one in the car, in case you get stuck out in the country.

Ah, but most of the world knows the cheaper, smaller 18650 'Tacti-cool' ones are vastly more powerful. Even my AAA mini thing from Maplins does a better job than the 6D-cell Maglite thumper... As a martial artist, I promise you that swinging a big, heavy, slow Maglite around really stuffs up your balance when you miss... and people usually miss!!

Problem with going armed is when you (it happens to the best of us) *think* you're in the right, possibly just haven't noticed that you fouled up badly, and decide to stand your ground... Not only have you messed up and get that thrown at you, but now you're an armed aggressor too.
The icing on your prison cake (no metal file hidden inside, I'm afraid) will be when your opponent takes that weapon off you and uses it to REALLY rain on your parade... Ever wondered why prison lads like a man with no teeth?

[abaxas]

As a martial artist, I promise you that swinging a big, heavy, slow Maglite around really stuffs up your balance when you miss... and people usually miss!!

That the 1st rule of fighting. The person who 'throw's the first attack usually wins if it connects but loses if it doesnt.

Hence why most people stand off until someone has made their move, then punish them

[Ttaskmaster]

That the 1st rule of fighting. The person who 'throw's the first attack usually wins if it connects but loses if it doesnt.

First rule is Don't Get Hit.
Easiest way to achieve this is Don't Be There.

As to first attack, though - Very, very wrong, as you are playing catch-up to their First Mover status, which is often followed by a second attack, a third, fourth, fifth, etc and you're then backpeddaling until either they hit you, or you manage to ward their attack and turn it back on them.
The use of something like a Maglite is what robs you of the First Mover, allowing the opponent to step in. It can be made to work, but you'd need a lot of practice and experience.

The hesitation is usually people deciding whether or not to take that step into fighting, while also trying to be ready in case the other person escalates first. It's usually during this deliberation that either one party throws the knock-out first blow, or more likely both kick off and drop each other with a timed hit.

Beyond all that, it gets kinda complicated and it's far easier to just apologise and drive on.

[virtuo]

I can see this dovetailing nicely in to the guns thread fairly soon.

[Ttaskmaster]

I can see this dovetailing nicely in to the guns thread fairly soon.

So long as no-one swears during the discourse of scientific methods of roadside self-defence and intervehicular combat, it shouldn't be a problem.....

[Xlucine]

Who doesn't have a hefty breaker bar to crack their wheel nuts in the event of a flat? It's normally inconveniently hidden in the boot somewhere, but it's always reliably solid and a lot cheaper than a maglite. Runflats and tyre repair cans spoil the fun, of course, all for the sake of a few extra cubic feet of boot space - not that the police can object to anyone having a socket set and a decent breaker bar in their vehicle

[kalniel]

Who doesn't have a hefty breaker bar to crack their wheel nuts in the event of a flat?

They're getting smaller. A few cars ago I had a monstrous thing (steady) that created enough leverage anyone could have changed the tyre. Last car it was smaller but still quite useable (thankfully, as it turned out). Current car still has spare wheel + tools, but the wrench is tiny, maybe 20cm at most?

[peterb]

Who doesn't have a hefty breaker bar to crack their wheel nuts in the event of a flat? It's normally inconveniently hidden in the boot somewhere, but it's always reliably solid and a lot cheaper than a maglite. Runflats and tyre repair cans spoil the fun, of course, all for the sake of a few extra cubic feet of boot space - not that the police can object to anyone having a socket set and a decent breaker bar in their vehicle

They're getting smaller. A few cars ago I had a monstrous thing (steady) that created enough leverage anyone could have changed the tyre. Last car it was smaller but still quite useable (thankfully, as it turned out). Current car still has spare wheel + tools, but the wrench is tiny, maybe 20cm at most?

And still regarded as an offensive weapon if you use it as such.

[scaryjim]

If it's the apperance of not being messed with you want rather than the actual offensive weapon you could always keep one of these propped in the passenger footwell...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fire-Axe-F...-/111626510106

EDIT: bonus point being you could actually take it out and hit them with it just for the look on their face...

[hb904460]

My mother always has a can of de-icer in the door pocket, great for removing frozen water and quite quite painful if sprayed into an attackers eyes.

[spacein_vader]

If it's the apperance of not being messed with you want rather than the actual offensive weapon you could always keep one of these propped in the passenger footwell...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fire-Axe-F...-/111626510106

EDIT: bonus point being you could actually take it out and hit them with it just for the look on their face...

How much?! You could get a real axe for less than that!

[scaryjim]

Larp kit is ridiculously pricey, but then it's also quite complicated to make good looking larp-safe weapons. It's a niche market and most weapons are hand crafted...

[Ttaskmaster]

Who doesn't have a hefty breaker bar to crack their wheel nuts in the event of a flat?

I don't and neither does any other motorcyclist...

Runflats and tyre repair cans spoil the fun, of course, all for the sake of a few extra cubic feet of boot space

I recently discovered that many modern cars no longer come with even the provision for that pathetic little space saver wheel - Literally, your break-down kit now comprises a can of tyre weld and an electric mini-compressor... or just a breakdown recovery business card.

If you're going to insist on being armed, your best weapon is always a walking stick.
By default, you'd have it in your hand whatever the situation and it's always perfectly legal to carry. It's light and easily hefted, can be metal-shod for weight, is almost the 'Perfect' or 'True Length' (as defined by various sword manuals), is used in the exact same way as most sword techniques as well as having a few extra benefits, can be customised to fit your exact grip... and since it's right there in your hand, there's no reason it wouldn't instinctively come into use if you are forced to defend yourself.... several times.... in the guy's face..... yeah.

^ Even works for bikers, too.
I'm kinda looking forward to getting old, as I can legitimately use this!

[Xlucine]

And still regarded as an offensive weapon if you use it as such.

Same goes for any implement used to apply impulse to an oik, of course. GoNzo's point of extricating yourself from the area is always the most legally defensible course of action IMO, as long as you contact the police as soon as it is safe to do so (I suspect that you wouldn't be prosecuted for leaving the scene of an accident if you feared for your life and could point to a call to 999 to inform the police of the accident, although I'm no solicitor)

They're getting smaller. A few cars ago I had a monstrous thing (steady) that created enough leverage anyone could have changed the tyre. Last car it was smaller but still quite useable (thankfully, as it turned out). Current car still has spare wheel + tools, but the wrench is tiny, maybe 20cm at most?

They're cheap and widely available from anywhere that sells tools - I've got a 45cm one in my toolbox that's perfect for over tightening any bolt I care to wring the neck of

I don't and neither does any other motorcyclist...


I recently discovered that many modern cars no longer come with even the provision for that pathetic little space saver wheel - Literally, your break-down kit now comprises a can of tyre weld and an electric mini-compressor... or just a breakdown recovery business card.

If you're going to insist on being armed, your best weapon is always a walking stick.
By default, you'd have it in your hand whatever the situation and it's always perfectly legal to carry. It's light and easily hefted, can be metal-shod for weight, is almost the 'Perfect' or 'True Length' (as defined by various sword manuals), is used in the exact same way as most sword techniques as well as having a few extra benefits, can be customised to fit your exact grip... and since it's right there in your hand, there's no reason it wouldn't instinctively come into use if you are forced to defend yourself.... several times.... in the guy's face..... yeah.

^ Even works for bikers, too.
I'm kinda looking forward to getting old, as I can legitimately use this!

I'm not sure how you'd stow a walking stick on a bike short of a goldwing, although a holster would look cool. As well as saving space, the canned stuff saves a bit of weight and a substantial amount of money, so it's no wonder that car makers have jumped on the opportunity