A pedestrian’s quick thinking turned the tables on a reckless driver, delivering a moment of poetic justice that has many online readers cheering.

The incident, detailed in Reddit, recounts how a driver allegedly nearly hit a pedestrian at a busy shopping center crosswalk—only for the pedestrian to later return the favor in a perfectly timed act of petty revenge.

‘Carelessly’ shrugged

After parking, original poster (OP), user EffinAyyItsMe, said they approached a crosswalk leading to the storefront when they heard a sudden acceleration. Looking up, they barely had time to react before a driver sped through.

“I had to quickly jump back as she almost hit me with her car,” the OP claimed.

Their shock turned to frustration when the driver stopped, “carelessly” shrugged and laughed before driving off.

The story could have ended there, but fate had other plans.

The pedestrian realized they had parked on the wrong side of the shopping center and had to return to their car to drive to the correct lot.

On the way, they noticed the same reckless driver now on foot, about to cross the street in the same way they had moments earlier.

‘Not proud of this’

“Not proud of this, but I absolutely FLOORED the accelerator so she couldn’t cross,” the OP admitted, mirroring the driver’s earlier behavior.

The woman jumped back in shock, unaware it was the same pedestrian she had nearly run over. To drive the point home, the Redditor then stopped the car, mimicked her exaggerated shrug and gave a big smile.

The driver’s reaction? Laughter—perhaps a sign that she understood the irony of the moment.

“She actually laughed in disbelief, and my food tasted better the rest of that day,” the OP added.

Reddit users were just as quick to praise the pedestrian’s actions, seeing the moment as a justified comeback rather than reckless behavior.

One user responded, “Well played! Nothing like giving a jerk the dish they served you.”

Another added, “At least she wasn’t a hypocrite about it!”, referring to the driver’s surprising acceptance of the prank.

Another commentator took a more reflective stance, writing, “Her reaction means there might be hope for her. Hope she learned a lesson from it.”

The story highlights the frustrations many experience with aggressive drivers, a problem that extends far beyond a single shopping center.

According to a Newsweek report, road rage is a widespread issue in many U.S. cities, with drivers in some areas displaying aggressive behavior at alarmingly high rates​.

The study found that 80% of U.S. drivers admitted to feeling some form of road rage in the past year, with violations like tailgating, illegal passing and running red lights being common offenses.

Experts suggest that aggression on the road often stems from stress, impatience and the sense of detachment drivers feel inside their vehicles.

“You’re encased in plastic and metal and glass, and you kind of feel a little protected,” etiquette expert Lizzie Post told Newsweek, explaining how this barrier emboldens aggressive driving​.

Managing Road Rage

A WebMD analysis finds that road rage intensifies in high-stress environments.

Psychologist Barry Markell compared aggressive drivers to overcrowded rats, saying that when too many people occupy the same space, hostility rises.

“Crowding causes aggression,” Markell explained, adding that many road ragers don’t see other drivers as real people, but rather as obstacles in their way​.

Despite the frustration road rage can bring, experts suggest drivers should take steps to keep their emotions in check. Simple techniques such as leaving earlier, playing calming music and avoiding direct confrontations with aggressive drivers can help reduce incidents on the road​.

Newsweek has contacted helloslp comment via Reddit.

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