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There are a number of occasions where I've thought, actually if I don't brake quite so hard I'll hit you and it'll be your fault, but then I think I really don't need the hassle.
I'd love to have a car that roadworthy and pretty tough, like an old Rover from the 60's and just not give a shit and clatter into people when they do stuff they shouldn't to make them realise. Kind of like falling down in a car.
I honestly don't think I've beeped in anger, as in "here's a button I press to let people know that I'm cross". I know others do precisely this, the funniest being cross car horn conversations: "beep" "beeeep" "beeep beeeep" "BEEEP". I'll beep if someone's gone to sleep in front of a green light, or whatever, but this is pretty rare.
This doesn't mean that I don't get cross, obviously, I'm a middleaged man for christ's sake, I just don't feel the need to press a button to let everyone know. I feel even less need to press a button to somehow educate bad drivers in the error of their ways. I tell myself that people who drive stupidly are more likely to come a cropper and leave it at that.
When we got to a small roundabout I stopped, opened his door, took his keys out and chucked them over the hedge
this is exceptionally good stuff
Nearest I've ever come to a heart attack was a couple of years ago when some idiot undetook me then cut in in front of me. I saw red and hit the horn and headlight flasher for a good ten seconds and he must have been so shocked at the reaction that he suddenly swerved left and shot down a sliproad. I had pains in my chest for 24 hours afterwards.
Same thing happened a couple of days ago when a weasly-looking young gent in a cream Mercedes came shooting up on my left and tried to cut in in front of me. I normally keep an eye in my left mirror for this kind of stunt so I stayed cool and managed to move forward, hit the horn and shut him out, while the woman behind me saw his intention and moved up as well so he ended up blocked by the slower-moving vehicle we were all overtaking. It doesn't give me pride to admit I did it but I felt better for shutting the idiot out.
There are no Police on patrol nowadays so the fear of a random catch has gone and certain types of drivers feel the law doesn't apply to them so they are free to use the roads as their own race track. Driving has become more dangerous because of idiots and you have to exercise even more caution and assertion than ever nowadays.
Highway Code - Rule 112
The horn. Use only while your vehicle is moving and you need to warn other road users of your presence. Never sound your horn aggressively.
bigyinn - MemberThere are a number of occasions where I've thought, actually if I don't brake quite so hard I'll hit you and it'll be your fault, but then I think I really don't need the hassle.
I'd love to have a car that roadworthy and pretty tough, like an old Rover from the 60's and just not give a shit and clatter into people when they do stuff they shouldn't to make them realise. Kind of like falling down in a car.
I have, ahem, never had that very same thought.....
some idiot undetook me
A game I play is to wait until they're in my blind spot and put my left indicator on...
It's not big or clever, but it is quite fun.
Highway Code - Rule 112The horn. Use only while your vehicle is moving and you need to warn other road users of your presence. Never sound your horn aggressively.
Yes, never break the highway code to warn dimwits that they are breaking the highway code. Verrrry useful that.
I bet you never flash your lights to let someone out of a junction either.
Colleague of mine clattered off a dozy numpty who cut him up.
2 problems.
1. The engine and gearbox in the car were one of less than 10 prototypes in existence. The car was booked up about 90 hours a week for the next 6 months for testing. Was of the road for 2 months. Potential bill of millions. Literally.
2. It was a directors daughter who cut him up. In a company car. We self insure.
It's weird how people are so utterly stupid though - drove home from Brighton quite late Tues night, not many cars on the road... 2 I overtook left their headlights on full beam until I slowed down and flashed them, another, a newish Jag I think, had every single fog light lighting them up like a Xmas tree (it was a clear night). They were sat in the outside lane of an empty dual carriageway as I approached - I flashed my lights a few times. Not only did they not turn off their fog lights, but they stayed in the right lane, showing no intention of moving over.. so I drove past (not undertook as I never changed lanes!) on their left. Still never moved into the left lane, well after I'd gone past.
I just find it absolutely baffling!!
I believe that you are taught to pass your test nowadays, not taught to drive.
In the last few years I've turned into a really nervous driver due to selfish, inconsiderate drivers. I feel bullied.
Regarding tailgating, an advanced motorist instructor advised me to move over.
I haven't had the raging horn in a car since 1995.
When I first started driving a million years ago my first car had the horn on one of the indicator stick things, and being a new driver I was all full of aggression and hooting towards all these other idiot bad drivers all the time.
When I got a new car with the horn activated by pressing the centre of the steering wheel my instincts/reflexes refused to acknowledge the change, so someone cutting me up, braking hard for turns without indicating, pulling out in front off me or any other bad road behaviour would lead to me mashing the stick on the steering column where the horn "should" be, then watching them drive away oblivious while I sit there in a mess of indicators, windscreen wipers, and screen wash going off. After a few times of this happening I took to just physically shouting "BEEEEEEEEP" as loud as I felt was appropriate inside the car. I found this to be much more satisfying than just pressing the horn button, but it did sometimes unnerve my passengers who weren't expecting it.
Eventually I ended up driving a Nissan Almeira, only for a year or so, but it's impossible to get angry driving an Almeira, you just slowly float along without the worry of having acceleration or cornering ability to think about and just watch all the other idiots playing silly buggers with each other, since that car I've never got "the rage" back
This is what I do, it's really the only safe thing you can do in the circumstance where someone is properly tailgating you (actually quite rare IME) rather than just driving a bit close. Not worthy of as many STW points as chucking someone's keys in a hedge though 🙂Regarding tailgating, an advanced motorist instructor advised me to move over.
I think there should be a psychological element to the driving test, as I feel that people who do things like lean on the horn at every opportunity aren't mentally stable enough to handle the responsibility of driving a car. This would have the effect of reducing traffic on the roads by about 95% so would solve a number of problems in a single stroke!
I'm generally quite relaxed when driving but am far more, erm, assertive, on he bike. I will always, if I get the chance, usually several minutes later at some lights, challenge anyone I have seen using a phone at the wheel, and there are literally dozens. I get to talk to a small proportion...
Had a couple who have scared me, van driver who tried to drive into me afterwards, reported to his boss, and then someone who sent her boyfriend to start a shouting match the following day (regular commute). Said the Exposure Joystick on my helmet was a camera and I had already reported her and any violence from him would also be reported. Lights save lives 🙂 But yes, slightly concerned that I will get a thump one day but much more concerned about some arsehole crashing into me while sending his text, if an ear bashing stops them doing it again, even if it's just when I'm on that bit of road with them, it helps keep me alive.
[i]Anyone left the red mist/road rage mindset behind and what was the turning point?[/i].
During nearly 3 decades of driving, some years hitting 40K+ miles. I have had the opportunity to offer my opinion to other road users, numerous times...
However, quite soon after starting to drive, esp when using the big road and witnessing just what does happen out there. I came to understand there's no point remonstrating or whatever, with any other road user.
I realized that no matter how much I may object or the manner in which I choose to do so. The other person isn't likely to change their ways. If they are an inconsiderate, selfish, asshat, nothing I can do will change that, in any constructive way.
So now I pretty much just ignore the muppets. That as well as being very good at seeing an outcome on the road before it happens and so avoiding in the first place. Not always, but often.
So there, perhaps realize you are powerless to "educate" AND that it isn't actually your job, change the way other road users behave.
Just chill.
Regarding tailgating, an advanced motorist instructor advised me to move over.
It's the safest way.
Me, I have a pathological intolerance for bullies, so I usually take my foot off the accelerator for a few seconds then drive back up to the speed limit again. They generally get the message (especially if they're in an 18-wheeler). Though it'll probably get me killed one day.
Some sage advice about it not mattering one hoot what I do, it won't change the behaviour of said nobbers. Think that's my key takeaway. And in response to an earlier post - I don't need to "see" anyone about this.. that's what STW is for innit?
Regards tailgating - best I seen was a monster of a man get out of his RR Sport at a roundabout like he was squeezing out of a Micra and walk up to the van behind him and shout "Stay the **** away from the back of my car!". The van who had previously left a good 6" gap extended that to about 1/4 of a mile thereafter.
But you'll die knowing you were right.
Regarding tailgating, an advanced motorist instructor advised me to move over.
Yes it is but...
once the road in front is clear changing down to 4th and disappearing up the road is a lot more fun
I used to do a lot of miles (40k a year) and I was terrible for road rage. I'd have several sessions on long trips until it'd reach boiling point and I'd be out the car ready for a punch up. I also have an amazing ability for picking the wrong car/bloke to have a fight with. Not one for stereotyping, but if you see a van towing a caravan or its a builders van with a crew cab, or any vehicle that indicates the driver could be fairly handy, put aside your rage for a bit and go to your quiet place. Or do what I did and find yourself being launched over your bonnet followed by a pretty thorough kicking and your door mirrors being punched off. I drive a lot less now, but I've also learnt my lesson in that you never know the type of person driving.
As for being on the bike, every single day without fail I have someone pull out on me or get way to close (#becauselondon). You can yell and shout and kick off but all it does is ruin the rest of your morning as you fester on it.
You'll never 'win' in a situation like that (although you'll come up with some amazing come back lines afterwards as you fester). You won't suddenly teach someone the error of their ways or change their driving style so why bother.
But you'll die knowing you were right.
That's all that really matters, after all.
Years ago I had a gun waved at me after beeping at someone and sticking my fingers up at them. In a country where life was cheap, and a telling off from my wife, I learned to stop.
I'm not surprised - a telling off from your wife!
[i]Regarding tailgating, an advanced motorist instructor advised me to move over.[/i]
[i]This is what I do, it's really the only safe thing you can do in the circumstance where someone is properly tailgating you (actually quite rare IME) rather than just driving a bit close.[/i]
I spray the windscreen washers and the car too close behind gets a good soaking. After a while they realise it isn't raining and that the water is coming from the car in front. They usually get the message and back off.
Regarding tailgating, an advanced motorist instructor advised me to move over.
Getting out of their way is definitely the safest option. The best place for someone so ignorant that they don't realise they have no way of stopping if you do is far away from you.
People are not properly taught how to drive, simple as. Someone who has just passed their test can parallel park and know what some signs mean but that doesn't mean that they know how to read the road and traffic or handle a ton or so of machinery when things don't go how they expect. Hell you can't even go on a motorway until you have a full license, by which time all compulsory training has ended. It took me longer to qualify as a tree surgeon than as a car driver and many times the money. I was a bad driver and I am not qualified to call myself a good one now but I am infinitely better. Experience can't be taught but but the roads are full of people young and old who are unsafe at any speed, it's not right.
I feel the need to inform poor drivers what they've done wrong, to my wife's despair. I don't get angry, but, I can't help myself.
Last year or so I was driving towards the M1 on a dual carriageway I was aware of some guy in a car weaving between both lanes to quicken his journey. As he was, maybe two thirds past me he cut into the left lane and forced me onto the grass verge to avoid a collision. Seconds later, when he leant over to his glovebox I seized the opportunity to repay the skills and cut him off. He was Livid. As he tried to carve a third lane I blocked him continously. When we finally got to the roundabout he accelerated into the roundabout and made a shooting motion at me. Me, I just waved and laughed. What I'd have done if he'd have followed me I don't know.
A tip I recently heard for tailgaters is to leave a large gap in front - 4 secs rather than 2. Seems to make sense. Don't get bothered by them myself anyway.
Oh definitely, if you only have to brake gently it at least gives them a chance to stop. 2 seconds is an absolute minimum anyway.
I don't get half the tailgaters I used to. I got a boring middle aged Jaguar this year and the attitude I get compared to driving my old boyed up VWs, 205s and such is a world apart.
Anyone left the red mist/road rage mindset behind and what was the turning point? Also - can car horns run out?
Yes. It was the realisation that the anger I expressed had a bigger negative effect on me than it did on the people I was angry with. I would get disappointed that I had let someone else goad me into bad behaviour, that they likely did not care one iota and wouldn't change their behaviour and even worse that they might get a kick out of winding me up.
I never got tailgated in my ancient diesel peugeot.
Probably as it smoked immensely as soon as i put my foot on the throttle. Not helped by the unkmown mileage (a previous owner had disconnected the odometer when it hit 100000km) and a rather casual approach to servicing (never). It had a clean spot. 1800rpm ish and about 50% throttle. Spent my entire ownership of that car trying to keep it in that zone.
Got it in part payment for a weeks labouring........