In any situation there’s a range of measured reactions that’ll help you sail through it without incident. But in everyone’s mind there’s the ever-present temptation to go absolutely rogue; the blinking red button at the back of your head. Few of us ever indulge it. Most of us quite happily ignore it. But sometimes – once in a while – someone decides to punch it, and then they wind up throwing a motorists’ keys into a bush.
A woman in Melbourne’s east had to hail the local constabulary after becoming stranded alongside her car, thanks to a cyclist who was so crabby with her driving that he decided to relieve her of her keys.
The unidentified woman was driving her Kia hatchback along Mount Dandenong Tourist Road in Tremont at around 2:30pm on Tuesday. The road, known as Devils Elbow, is a popular route for cyclists.
One male cyclist, reportedly clad in orange, red, and yellow lycra, became so upset with the woman’s driving that he stopped her on the road. After she lowered her window to speak to the man, he reportedly then reached inside, grabbed the keys from the ignition, and hurled them down the nearby embankment and into the bushland before pedalling off.
Stranded, and unable to find her keys, police were called. Responding officers successfully located the keys, but are appealing for any witnesses to come forward.
At the time, the woman was on her way to collect her mother from hospital. A fact that takes this whole yarn from “kinda funny” to “a fairly dog act.”
Like I said, in every situation there’s a range of measured reactions, and one rogue option. And as far as cyclist-related road rage is concerned, you either die a stern-word-haver, or you live long enough to see yourself become a key throwing jerk.
Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
