A split second decision put lives at risk. Exclusive video released by the Murfreesboro Police Department showed how anger behind the wheel can escalate into something extremely dangerous.
They said it's the spark for what leads to road rage. The moment was caught on camera by a witness.
"It's rare that somebody catches this on video, but I can see how it evolved into what we get called into," said Lt. Clayton Williams with the Murfreesboro PD.
The video showed two cars on Broad near Interstate 840 in Murfreesboro. One driver appeared to hit the breaks, and then the other does, as well.
They barely avoided a collision in the middle of the road. Then both drivers got out of their cars.
"This guy is looking for a confrontation. I don't know what changed his mind. I'm glad he did," said Lt. Williams.
He doesn't know what this dispute was about, but Williams said he's seen situations like this escalate into violence.
In fact, just two years ago along this same stretch of road, a man was shot when he left his car to confront another driver.
Police said heavy traffic has become a fact of life for drivers in Middle Tennessee.
People have their frustrations, but police said the key has been to not act on them.
They added they'll be watching if you do.
"Hopefully we can prevent some of these things from happening before they occur," said Lt. Williams.
Police in Murfreesboro have an "Aggressive Driving Unit." Officers have been on daily patrol in unmarked cars to watch for erratic or dangerous drivers who could become involved in road rage incidents.
