"trigger-happy"
Well, if I was in that car or anyother I would have jumped out if the driver would not have stopped after all those warnings from the American check point guards.
A lot of people think the US policy in Iraq is bogus, but everybody should know the policy. Maybe that's the end to the reason. The Italians didn't know to stop or slow down when lights are flashing at you, arms are waving and warning shots cross your path.
Hard to imagine with a car load of intelligent officers.