Road Rage leads to Assault: What can we learn?

According to reports, police were called to a Vienna, Va.,  Subway restaurant for two individuals that were involved in a fight. Upon arriving on the scene, law enforcement were informed that the incident started with road rage, turned into a verbal exchange and, finally, fists flew.

Gregory Hise, who is said to have followed the other individual into the Subway after the having trouble with him on the road earlier in the evening, was issued a summons for assault.

The incident ended with a rather mundane punishment, but a situation like this could have gone very differently for a victim if an enraged individual had more sinister intentions in mind.

I can say without a doubt I have done some not-so-perfect driving in my time behind the wheel.  I will say during those times other drivers were probably not happy with me. In all the cases, I made it a point to keep an eye the other driver to see if they were following me or not. I also watched to see if they were scrambling for anything like a firearm in their enraged state. I never knew if they wanted to turn my lapse in judgment into a harmful situation.

In a situation similar to that of the article, I suggest remaining aware of the other vehicle. Pay attention if they are following you. Make note of their movements in the vehicle, like reaching for a weapon or preparing one. If you suspect they are following you, make it a point to drive away from your destination and then back to confirm your suspicions. Then lead them to local law enforcement, but do not get out and confront them.  Regardless of how prepared you might be,  they are on the action end of the spectrum and you the reaction.  It is better to let the police handle them.

Have you ever been in a similar situation?  What course of action would you take?