[olduser]

From the BBC's web news today;

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c2kz7kjpnkxo

The shame is, never mind driving, it feels as though life in general is more aggressive.
What do we want? Everything. When do we want it? NOW!

[Rolebama]

I can't now remember where it is, but there was a particular roundabout I came to hate when I was taking lessons. The crossroad where the roundabout was, was a very busy one, and they were just 'ordinary' roads. Yet the roundabout roadway was more than wide enough to take two, possibly three, cars abreast. My instructor insisted on telling me to go straight across keeping well over to the left. Whichever direction I joined the roundabout, I always had a convoy behind as it was a 30mph limit with, usually, 40mph traffic. The roundabout gave them a chance to overtake. I would have 20 to 30 cars, all on each other's bumpers sailing past, even when we got to my turning. I would have to stop so as not to be involved in a collision. Needless to say, on my actual Test we went nowhere near that roundabout.

[Drivingforfun]

I must have been quite lucky as a learner! I never encountered any actual aggression, just impatience & stupidity... plenty of people wanting to overtake me at any cost, even if they then drove slower than I was going... my instructor said that's quite common!! Apparently people just get in their head that they must pass the learner, as their cruising speed MUST be faster than a learner's. Then realise they're going a bit quick for their comfort and slow down 😂

[olduser]

Originally Posted by Drivingforfun

I must have been quite lucky as a learner! I never encountered any actual aggression, just impatience & stupidity... plenty of people wanting to overtake me at any cost, even if they then drove slower than I was going... my instructor said that's quite common!! Apparently people just get in their head that they must pass the learner, as their cruising speed MUST be faster than a learner's. Then realise they're going a bit quick for their comfort and slow down 😂

I think that was the behaviour the article was describing perhaps you are being kind in not regarding it as aggressive behaviour.🙂

[Drivingforfun]

@olduser I'd call what I encountered a few months ago aggression!! (Not sure if I posted at the time or not)

I was turning right but on a road whereby "straight on" continues round a blind left. I did what most do at that junction - try not to have to engage 1st gear - so creeped round in 2nd, saw a pickup truck coming so decided I've committed and made the turn in front of him with an apologetic wave

He then followed me for the next 5 miles or so, really close, kept moving over as if to overtake but just sat there. I indicated left and apologised again and waved him past but he just sat in the opposite lane following me all the way to the next village... then overtook me with a horn honk once we got into the 30 zone

It was actually quite scary... I know full well I was in the wrong but kind of think he did a good job of turning the roles around

[olduser]

It is inevitable at some point we all will make the same sort of error of judgment.

My observations suggest, trying to signal an apology gets misunderstood tending to inflame the situation.

Depending on the road and traffic;
Depending on the road, we could accelerate as hard as possible - get out of the way fast.
If hard accelerating is not an option, keep tight to the left, slowing and signalling left - trying to assist an overtake.

There is nothing can be done if the offended driver throws a tantrum but retaliating will only make things worse.

But above all, I hope, we resolve to never do it again, it's illegal and dangerous.

[Drivingforfun]

"But above all, I hope, we resolve to never do it again, it's illegal and dangerous."

One thing I can say is I definitely change to first and stop at that junction now, until I can see round the corner and make the turn... no matter how annoyed the traffic behind me gets.

In that respect, his road rage achieved something - however unintentional!! I wonder, if I meet him again but he is following me as opposed to coming from the other way... would he still get road rage, because I'd "stopped for no reason"? 🤔

[olduser]

Hi Drivingforfun, " would he still get road rage, because I'd "stopped for no reason"? 🤔"

Sadly, the answer is - - - almost certainly yes.

I think, there a couple of reasons for this -

First, the driver feels hidden, and anonymous he can therefore be as bad mannered as he wishes, and no one will know who he is - it's usually a he - . (I wonder if drivers in open vehicles are better behaved?)

Second, there is the, 'I never get it wrong' syndrome - I'm a perfect driver, and the roads would be much safer if only the rest were as good as me, then I would be able to continue on my way without having to concentrate, or stay awake, and anyway I had the right of way!

Do's his vigilantism/bullying do any good?
Not really, most drivers know when they have got it wrong, and left alone will take steps not to do that again, if for no better reason than it was not comfortable. 😮