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If some mad fool in a Mitsubishi L200 decides to overtake me on a NSL limit road whilst I'm doing NSL at a point where there is a blind bend and the road markings are double continual white lines, why when he has to dive in behind me to avoid a major head on is it my fault? He saw the other car just as he pulled out to overtake, I had started to slow down to let him past - I prefer fools like that to be in front so I can keep an eye on them! For the next three miles I had this mad idiot three feet from my bumper, flashing his headlights and gesticulating. At the next set of lights he pulled up just in front of me in the right hand lane, jumped out and started shouting obscenities! I simply drove on and left him too it. No doubt he'll kill himslef eventually, I just hope he doesn't hurt anyone else.
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I can understand your reaction - had a very similar experience on a dual carriageway last night with Mad Mondeo Man.
I was in the outside line and travelling at the speed of the traffic (about 60mph in both lanes) and with no real chance of moving left without cutting in.
MMM was a bit too close for comfort so I touched the brakes as a warning. That clearly proved the red rag and he proceeded to literally tailgate me about three feet behind; at one point he tried to overtake on the inside despite the lack of room and then repeated the tailgating.
I didn't panic, despite the other half's concern and eventually I had a chance to move over; he roared past and within another 100 yards, at the next roundabout, dived left into a 30mph zone... :-).
The entire incident took place over a comparatively short distance on a busy stretch of dual carriageway...:-)
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What\'s for you won\'t pass you by
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Stuart,
I know it's irritating to be criticised, and as such I try to do it as little as possible. At the same time, flashing your brake lights at someone is quite likely to make them react angrily and might be something to avoid. In this case, it seems likely from your description that it made an accident more, rather than less, likely.
By the way, I speak as someone wh used to do it. I now just ease very gently off the accelerator to increase the gap between me and the car in front in case I do need to brake. That way, in the event of something up ahead, there might be space enough for me to gently brake without MMM hitting me up the exhaust pipe.
V
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daveyjp
They were angry becuase they felt fools for attempting such a crass overtake, something akin to being back in the school playground.
Don't worry, they will do it tomorrow, next week, next month and end up in a ditch. As long as they don't take anyone with them......
Just remind yourself that you are the better driver. Next time they start hooting at someone, that someone could be a 6foot5, 22 stone angry man who gets out of HIS car and goes over to THEM......
I used to get all wound up when people pulled out in front of me without noticing I was 3 feet from them. I felt angry that they could have hurt me or my car, but short of getting out at the next set of traffic lights what could I do? I think to myself that if they are poor drivers, they will do it again and next time they may just get the nudge and grief that ensues.
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>>I know it's irritating to be criticised>>
I can flash the brake lights with the merest of touches without actually losing any speed...:-)
99 times out of 100 it works fine.
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What\'s for you won\'t pass you by
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Not sure you can win either way.
I'll either try and slow down enough to encourage them to pass and have their accident elsewhere or tap the brakes as you mention.
It usually does exactly what you say in that they'll realise they're driving like a total pink fluffy dice ing pink fluffy dice and pull back a little.
There is always the chance that they're not just driving like pink fluffy dice ing pink fluffy dice , but actually are pink fluffy dice ing pink fluffy dice . They'll get past at the next opportunity (or half opportunity) and have their accident elsewhere.
-- You know, it\'s not like changing toothpaste
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>>so I touched the brakes as a warning.
Why not turn your lights on, the red rear lights can look like brake lights (only the high level ight does not come on). Much safer as you do not slow down and reduce his braking distance.
Personally I would increase the distance in front of me so I did not have to brake so hard, if required. I describe it as part of my safety zone.
Reminds me of the story many years ago when a Porsche was being tailed for speeding by a police car. The Porsche was fitted with one of the first ABS brakes. The Porsche braked hard, but the police car's wheels locked and skidded in to the back of the Porsche. The Porsche driver got away with speeding as it was deemed the policecar was travelling too close and there was only one set of skid marks.
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Roger
I read frequently, but only post when I have something useful to say.
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Incidents like that really make me wish I had a big old land rover!
Still at least the cameras are making the roads safer...
Steve.
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Xantia HDi.
Buy a Citroen and get to know the local GSF staff better...
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The gist seems to be, you've got someone 18 inches from your back bumper, hence probably pretty aggressive as a personality type, and you make him think you've hit the brakes as a warning that you think his driving's poor. Then you seem surprised when he gets angry.
V
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Incidents like that really make me wish I had a big old land rover!
Or a starting handle!
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A few years ago a driver on local roads was being an equal pain.... leaving out details of how I let him past but caught up with him.
Anyway I phoned 999 and then he walked over whilst I was onto police, he mouthed off etc. I kept quiet. And then eventually he walked off. I then asked did they hear any of that. Being hands free the microphone picked it all up and the police said "Yes and it was all recorded". They would be sending someone out to speak to the driver.
At 11:30pm that night (a Sunday), two traffic police knocked on the door, Volvo T5 parked outside. They apologised for taking so long and had driven past the other house to check the car was there. After a brief chat they said goodnight and were off the speak to the other driver to "educate" him... now later than 11:30pm on a Sunday. Don't suppose he liked that at all.
Have I phoned 999 since due to very poor and dangerous driving in the UK.... yes. And the other week witnessed poor (HGV) driving first hand when our hire car in Italy was hit from behind by the HGV - we were lucky!
So I will always be reporting dangerous driving when appropriate. Yes for sure and Police do not seem to mind.
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If some mad fool in a Mitsubishi L200 decides to overtake me on a NSL limit
Pick ups eh!. Not a van. Not a car. Not a pick up. Just an extension of his bits. Did he have Tattoos and a Bull terrier? These Sados are allowed to vote and father children. Bring back the Birch......................
vbr to all sane people........................MD
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Martin - I must take exception to that sir!
My uncle has one and is a very nice bloke!
Had you put "Nearly all", "99,9%" or something to that effect, that would have been fine. ;-)
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He ticked plenty of stereotype boxes. Bleached blonde skin head and running a scaffolding company! I know a number of pro rugby players who drive pick ups (nice tax dodge) and I wouldn't argue with them!
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