Apologies in advance if I'm going over old subject matter, but has anyone else noticed an increase in road rage over this last week. Is the so-called 'possibility' of war turning drivers a bit funny?
In addition to the two incidents I mentioned on the fog lights thread, I witnessed another incident this morning where a BMW overtook another car, slammed on his brakes, jumped out and had 'words' with the other driver. I couldn't turn around to see what happened because I got stuck in a queue.
That's three incidents in as many days - what the hell is going on? Or is my car fitted with a new rage magnet??
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Hi Primera_p
I don't know about this last week but there definitely seems to be more stress related incidents out there on the roads than ever before! A spot of poor driving or a genuine mistake by one driver can so easily lead to another venting their rage the extent of which is so out of proportion to the incident.
There's no doubt we live in times of stress, your comment about the "possible" war is valid. Also, there's uncertainty in a lot of people's jobs and this must in turn affect their personal lives.
Where I live and work it seems that the majority of these stress sufferers drive Beemer 3's ;-)
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Where I live and work it seems that the majority of these stress sufferers drive Beemer 3's ;-)
I think it's something to do with this car as well. This morning as I tootled at 68mph along the M4 westbound, I got overtaken at high speed by a 3. The same driver was obviously very frustrated at joining the wrong queue at the severn bridge tolls, judging by the look he gave me as he stormed past for the second time, only five minutes later ;-)
Volume of traffic and the desire to get home also seem to be factors which cause these incidents. Friday evening is the worst time of the week for accidents in my experience.
Ed
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I'm thoroughly ashamed of myself. I've just succumbed to the red mist. I was turning right at a roundabout, clearly signalling when a Fiesta pulled out in front of me. I had to Stamp on the anchors and I sounded the horn. All I got in return was two fingers. I just lost it and zoomed after the Fiesta and at the next roundabout cut in front of it, forcing it to brake and then drove off. That, I can assure you all, is *not* in my nature. I think that Ed has it spot on - the stresses of the week boil over on a Friday evening and it help no one.
However, may I say that I am constantly appalled by the lack of courtesy (mine included) at the moment. If that Fiesta driver had acknowledged that he/she had done something wrong and given me a contrite wave of apology, everything would have been ok. I'd have been mildly annoyed at being pulled out on, but I certainly wouldn't have chased after him. What is it with drivers these days that think they can drive in exactly the way that they please and when someone remostrates, they can just stick the fingers up and drive off?
Anyway, after the above event, I feel thoroughly ashamed and am now seriously thinking about some kind of IAM course.
Keep smiling :0)
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If thatFiesta driver had acknowledged that he/she had done something wrong and given me a contrite wave of apology, everything would have been ok. I'd have been mildly annoyed at being pulled out on, but I certainly wouldn't have chased after him.
Serious question although it may not sound like it. How do you signal "a contrite wave of apology"? I've sometimes done stupid things and would've liked to say sorry but the only wave I can imagine is the "thank you" type wave which could easily be misconstrued "thank you for letting me know you don't like me" ;-)
Ok, now I sound like a real thicko but my question still stands - help. I did read somewhere that the French say sorry by putting 2 fingers to their temples as if holding a gun to their head - it works for me but I'm sure if I tried it someone would still get the wrong end of the stick.
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D'you know, I'd never thought of that before! Excellent point. I think it's about time we got a (clean) sign language going - bus and truck drivers have one ie thumbs down for a speed trap ahead etc. Short of that, every new car should have a matrix board fitted as standard in the back only able to display 'Help! Phone police!' or 'Sorry'.
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I like the idea of a matrix board in the back of the car and I've seen it advertised or discussed elsewhere ages ago. I can't remember whether it *was* an advert so I don't know if there was a price attached but I imagine they would cost a lot more than what I would call reasonable.
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I've been thinking about the Matrix Board idea too. I would definitely add "Back Off {bodily orifice}" to the range of messages.
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I would occasionally like to hand out the normal looking sign I saw saying 'CHILD ON BOARD', but in smaller letters above was, 'Driver who behaves like'
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P_p: Ive had exactly that treatment (the overtaking,slam on brakes, have words thing.) I had had the audacity to overtake the guy earlier. He did not like this. Threatened violence blah blah... police did nothing when reported.
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Quick flash of the hazards does the sorry, thumb up does the thanks. At least for me. Have to admit I do a lot of things requiring the apology, doing a 70 mile A-road daily commute. Never experienced road rage though. Perhaps so long as acknowledge the person they won't mind what you do. Works for me.
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I seem to remember seeing the matrix boards being sold in Argos some time back, don't know if they still do them.
My only grumble was that you couldn't type in your own message.......
Chris
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new car should have a matrix board fitted as standard in the back only able to display 'Help! Phone police!' or 'Sorry'.
My only grumble was that you couldn't type in your own message
Just as well people can't type their own messages, I fear it might just make matters worse - at least the insane in car shouting is kept within that car to an extent - there'd be more punch ups if some people did communicate more clearly...
Road rage is getting worse, a bit like swearing on the radio or nudity on TV - it drips and drips and no-one seems to notice that it's all very different to it was even a few years ago. Some shows/presenters would be long since off the air even if they were broadcasting only 15 years ago.
I'm still shocked that people are considering rear ending others just because of their road manners acceptable. Get sucked in and you're as bad as they are.
Increasingly not easy these days, but we should all try for the A to B and not dead approach and if someone else is rehearsing for a part in Mad Max, let them get on with it.
Lee.
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Lee
I do agree you, my comment was only a glib comment, not one I meant to be taken seriously. Apologies.
I think anyone who covers any distance in a car on a regular basis, driving in all sorts of conditions has been affected by road rage but the question is how you deal with it.
I myself don't think matrix boards are the answer and nor are hand signals.
We all have to accept that mistakes are made and at the end of the day it's better to be going to where you're going than going to your funeral.
I mean, I've tailgated people who've cut me up and used hand signals and flashing lights but if we all try to rise above it the road network will be a safer place
Chris
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Hi,
Sorry, can't mail you with this - no address in your profile, apologies all round if I'm clogging the thread.
Re-reading my post I wish there were some way of conveying the smiley "jokey" first part about the matrix - perhaps I appear more touchy because of my nice run out in the country today - spent the afternoon enjoying the glorious roads around West Yorkshire's countryside, spoiled only by:
{serious mode}
I was almost side swiped by a Land Cruiser with bull bars on it today that sped up as I turned right across it; plenty of room for me to turn without getting in anyones way, but the "chap" behind the wheel of his "Sports Utility Vehicle" seemed to take offence and I could see the thing lurch forward with gusto as I moved off.
Or the Range Rover near Haworth that decided that 30mph wasn't really fast enough for driving round town in a 30mph zone and that driving 4feet from my bumper without attempting to overtake would be the best way to handle it. (Me? Pulled over and let him burst a blood vessel elsewhere)
Or the Vauxhall MIDI van that had been to the same driving school as the Range Rover driver - same technique, same result.
I love the line used in the US for marketing the MINI
"What are you compensating for?"
Next time you get a clear bit of road with nothing behind, especially nutters in Land Cruisers, slam on your brakes and see how long it takes to stop. You'll be surprised.
{serious off}
Chris wrote:
mean, I've tailgated people who've cut me up and used hand signals and flashing lights but if we all try to rise above it the road network will be a safer place
Me too, but I've not for a few years now, although I still get annoyed by some driving - I apologise if the dodgy driving is mine (flat hand above gearstick so poor s** behind can see it) and keep away from those who see the road as a boxing ring.
I'm off to drink some wine and try and remember the good things about todays drive - (Chris) you'll know why I've had such a good day come June.... :-)
Lee.
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