Originally Posted by
phoebeisis
....
Simple- being a foreigner means he won't know that NYNY bike messengers are known to make outrageous threats-and displays of fake violence-beating on cars snarling etc-but they generally don't follow thru-
a local would be aware of that-non native especially a foreigner-would have no idea that it is all show(most of the time)-
Foreigner won't know this-you-from NY state- would-right?
How long does he keep his foreigner status? You mean that after 3 years driving a cab in NYC he shouldn't know what's going around him? .
BTW- I was never one of the "hang-em high" brigade, and reserved judgement as to whether this was a road rage or a panicked driver incident. But at the very least the driver is responsible for his actions.
Now was the cyclist also partly responsible as an instigator, possibly since it usually takes two to tango. But the "the Devil made me do it" defence doesn't wash as far as I'm concerned.
All the side issues are by way of explanation, which is fine, and might prevent or cause criminal charges, but an explanation isn't necessarily an excuse.