Petty on Ice: The Sweet, Slippery Revenge of Not Turning Right on Red
Have you ever been honked at for following the rules? That moment when someone behind you, impatient and oblivious, insists you break the law just to shave a second off their day? For one Redditor, u/HonestThrowaway987, this relatable scenario became the perfect storm—literally—for a little bit of (very slow) petty revenge.
On a frosty day with an ice storm looming and roads slicker than a buttered salamander, our protagonist stopped at a red light that clearly displayed a "NO RIGHT ON RED" sign—the type of warning that exists because, you know, people have crashed there before. But the SUV behind them, undeterred by signage or common sense, immediately blared its horn. The result? An epic showdown of caution versus impatience, and an internet debate about the fine line between righteous pettiness and outright road rage.
The Anatomy of a Petty Road War
The story begins at a red light, where u/HonestThrowaway987, obeying both the law and the weather forecast, waits for green. The SUV behind, apparently seeing no reason to let a little thing like a sign—or an ice storm—get in their way, honks impatiently.
But our hero is not to be bullied. As soon as the light turns green, both vehicles roll onto a 40mph street. With no other cars behind, OP slows to a “leisurely” 20mph—double the caution, double the petty. The SUV is forced to tailgate, undoubtedly fuming. The slow-crawl continues onto a 25mph street, now at a crawling 10mph until, at last, the SUV can take no more and illegally passes.
Is it petty? Absolutely. Is it satisfying? For OP, that day, it was the perfect remedy for a bad mood and too much free time.
The Crowd Chimes In: Road Rage, Risk, and Righteousness
What makes this story shine isn’t just the slow-motion revenge, but the tsunami of reactions it triggered in the r/PettyRevenge community. Some cheered, some jeered, and many warned of the real dangers that come with poking the bear—especially when the bear is two tons of steel and possibly armed.
u/Karma1976 offered a sobering perspective: “Don’t be pressured by an upset driver but also don’t purposefully enrage an upset driver. You never know how far a crazy person will go. Is your petty worth a family without you?” Others, like u/Morlanticator, shared chilling anecdotes of road rage gone violently wrong—one even witnessed an attempted road rage murder.
The consensus? As u/WashAggravating4321 bluntly put it, “They could come at you and damage your vehicle and hurt you. Stay safe there.”
Yet, not everyone was ready to let bullies win the day. u/Kurotan, perhaps channeling the spirit of all who have ever been honked at for following the law, declared, “I’m alone and can be all the petty for everyone who cannot.” For some, petty vengeance is a public service.
Law, Logic, and Life Lessons
Beyond the drama, the story raises real questions about the rules of the road and human behavior. Several commenters pointed out that, even with no traffic behind, intentionally impeding another car can be illegal and dangerous. u/HeyNoniNoni and u/MaladjustdMillennial reminded readers that “intentionally impeding traffic is illegal”—but so is tailgating and honking without cause.
u/Odd-Artist-2595 had a practical tip: “I find that pointing outside the window at the No Turn on Red sign is usually enough to shut down the honkers without provoking their road rage.” But as u/OrangeClyde warned, in today’s climate, even a gesture can be misread and escalate tempers.
Some users, like u/LoosePhilosopher1107, recommended a zen-like approach: “Next time, yawn like you don’t have a care in the world while they pass and give you the evil eye.” Others, like u/LadyWaste75, slow down for safety, reasoning: “If you’re going to risk rear-ending me, you’re going to do it at 20 mph, not 40.”
OP themselves chimed in after the fact, clarifying that the slow pace was “extra cautious due to the severe weather alerts, road closures, ice warnings, and deep open ditches on either side of the road 😏.” Some commenters rolled their eyes at this justification, but others, like u/catincal, simply said, “Love it! I’d do the same :)”
The Icy Road Ahead: To Petty or Not to Petty?
So, what’s the moral of this frosty fable? The Reddit jury was split. Many advocated for de-escalation: pull over, let them pass, and keep your day (and car) drama-free. As u/RandalPMcMurphyIV advised, “The minute that it becomes apparent that you are being followed, it is time for 911.”
Others found catharsis in petty resistance, especially when the pressure to break the law comes from the back seat—literally. But even the most vengeful agreed: it’s not worth risking your safety, or anyone else’s, to teach an impatient stranger a lesson.
In the end, whether you side with the slow driver or the honking SUV, one thing is clear: the roads are a microcosm of human nature—a place where patience, pettiness, and peril intersect at every red light.
Conclusion: What Would You Do?
Would you stand your ground and make your slow, icy point—or just let the honker zoom by? Have you ever been the victim (or perpetrator) of petty road revenge? Share your stories in the comments below! And remember: stay safe, drive smart, and keep your pettiness where it belongs—on the internet, not the interstate.
Original Reddit Post: Can't read, can't drive, so enjoy staring at my rear bumper