Road Rage on a lonely highway, Why avoidance and non-leathal force is the best policy

 

A student I trained many years ago in a concealed carry class recently shared an intense experience reinforcing the core principle I emphasize during every session: avoidance is the first line of defense. This student found himself in a frightening road rage situation that could have escalated to violence but didn’t—thanks to quick thinking and the lessons he recalled from our training.

The incident began when another driver abruptly stopped in the middle of the road, blocking his path. The other driver’s demeanor looked angry, but he never spoke a word. My former student felt trapped and feared for his safety. While his concealed carry firearm was within reach, he remembered my voice during that critical moment: “Avoidance is the first line of defense.” Instead of engaging, he quickly backed up, executed a three-point turn, and escaped the situation without further confrontation.

Later, when he recounted the story to me, he expressed relief that he didn’t have to resort to deadly force. "Scott," he said, "I didn’t want to kill someone over road rage. But is there an alternative? What if it happens again?”

I reassured him that he made the right decision by de-escalating and avoiding conflict. I also introduced him to an effective non-lethal personal defense option: the S2 Pepper Launcher by Salt and Mace.

Why the S2 Pepper Launcher is a Game-Changer in Personal Defense

The S2 Pepper Launcher is an innovative and highly effective non-lethal defense tool designed for stopping a threat without resorting to deadly force. It combines the power of chemical irritants with precision delivery, allowing you to incapacitate an attacker from a safe distance.

Here’s what makes the S2 Pepper Launcher an essential addition to your personal defense toolkit:

1. Long-Range Protection: The S2 can incapacitate an aggressor up to 150 feet away, allowing you to maintain distance and avoid close contact.

2. Potent Chemical Formula: The launcher fires projectiles filled with a powerful pepper spray formula that creates an immediate, debilitating reaction. The chemical cloud causes intense eye irritation, coughing, and disorientation, stopping threats in their tracks.

3. Easy to Use: With its lightweight and ergonomic design, the S2 is intuitive, making it an excellent choice for beginners and experienced defenders.

4. Non-Lethal Alternative: One of the greatest benefits of the S2 is that it provides a way to stop a threat without taking a life, aligning with the moral and legal considerations many concealed carry holders face.

5. Peace of Mind: Knowing you have a reliable, non-lethal option can reduce hesitation in high-stress situations where quick decisions are crucial.

Why Avoidance is Still the Best Strategy

This road rage encounter powerfully reminds us that avoidance is the foundation of personal safety. My student’s ability to disengage and escape likely saved two lives that day—his and the other driver’s. However, when avoidance isn’t enough, having a non-lethal option like the S2 Pepper Launcher can make all the difference.

For concealed carry holders and anyone interested in personal defense, the S2 represents a proactive step toward staying safe while minimizing the risk of legal and emotional consequences that come with the use of deadly force. It’s an ideal choice for those seeking peace of mind without the weight of life-and-death decisions hanging over every encounter.

As a concealed carry instructor, my goal has always been to prepare students for real-world scenarios, emphasizing responsibility, de-escalation, and effective self-defense strategies. Stories like this remind me why I teach—and why tools like the S2 Pepper Launcher are invaluable additions to modern personal defense.

If you want to learn more about the S2 Pepper Launcher or improve your self-defense skills, consider signing up for one of my classes. Together, we can ensure you’re prepared for whatever challenges life throws.