and never trust anybody with a Confucious beard ........it will get your goat..
i never blow the horn as you are just playing to them,i usually follow them for miles and make them do silly things ,unless they look bigger than me or it says tarmac tree fellas on the back.
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,i usually follow them for miles and make them do sillythings ,unless they look bigger than me or it says tarmac tree fellas on the back.
I have often wondered since September what you do to make them do silly things om... Of course it couldn't possibly be anything like, er, setting a silly example, could it?
I am sure you wouldn't do anything like that. But every now and then, just as good driving by others can bring out the best in one, I have found myself being infected by the wall-to-wall prattery one so often finds oneself in the middle of in urban traffic. I don't mean aggression necessarily, just prattery, often involving what I call 'passive aggression'.
Does this happen to anyone else? It may be rare - usually one remains genially aloof in traffic - but it is unmistakable, and very unpleasant.
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Regarding using the horn as a sign of disapproval.....
Did anyone mention such a use of the horn? The horn is supposed to be used to warn other road users of your presence, as for example when a vehicle is moving into your lane despite your being there. Sadly these days it is all too often taken as a sign of aggression. The level of aggression that I get when using the horn, even a short toot, is astonishing. (Mouthed obscenities, hand gestures, continuous horn sounding, verbal threats to find where I live and do me in etc)
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I couldn't agree more about the inappropriate use of the horn. I use mine so little that I check it now and then just to make sure that it still works. To be honest, until this road rage incident, I can't remember the last time I used it whilst driving. I wish that the thing had conked out since my last test.
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I think this type of thing is unbelievable.
Poor driving is becoming more and more of an issue for me and everyone I know. It is amazing especially when you drive through London...some boroughs have driving that is as bad as anything.
I think the problem is more to do with the lack of traffic cops on the road. Nobody is scared anymore of driving badly, too quickly etc.
When driving from London to Brighton, some Londoners have a bad attitute to driving that is apalling. I think too many people are too aggresive on the road, or just like to wind people up.
The government needs to put a bigger emphasis on this. Taking into account the stress caused by bad drivers (health, NHS etc), 10,000 deaths a year in the UK, etc, the government should at least give us a bigger presence of traffic cops on the roads. The fact motorways have only highway patrols, all I can see is that the roads will get worse!
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I'd like to add that since the event, a couple of months ago, the police haven't contacted me.
All I can assume is that my assailant showed genuine remorse and is now being supported by some sort of 'sympathy / help / naughty boy group'.
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Yeah, I was thinking that too, getting on for 30 a day. Surprising we metropolitan types don't get to witness more of them somehow...
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And going back to what they were saying in September, HJ, do you too use the horn sparingly?
One of the good things about typical British driving, modesty with the audible signal.
Of course in foreign parts where it's used in joyous and sometimes syncopated fashion that's pretty good too, if you aren't trying to sleep...
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further to henry k's post above:
[ >> Council tip rage - henry k Mon 27 Nov 06 18:24 It is not just drivers on public roads ! For your information. news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/southern_counties/6188726.stm This is ongoing so I guess no comments until it is resolved. - {As per henry k's request please. DD} ]
another one from just a few days ago:
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/6179686.stm
that resulted in a death plus other people badly injured. it too is "sub-judice" and so this same comment applies:
"[This is ongoing so I guess no comments until it is resolved. - {As per henry k's request please. DD} ] "
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Living in London, I can't help but feel that congestion is a big part of this. It's easier to chill on a fast empty road.
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Road Rage or rather Tip Rage
Court case in today's paper wher a man in his 70's had a confrontation at a council tip with a younger man - re "Queue Jumping" -
Upset is the younger man suffered a broken arm - dies during surgery and the older man is up on manslaughter.
Angry as you can get at losing your place in the queue the above is a salutary lesson that you count to 10 and let things go.
No amount of Road rage is that important or your principles that high that they must be defended at all cost..
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">confrontation at a council tip<"
Proof - if proof were needed - that recycling is dangerous and should be avoided at all costs.
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Court case in today's paper wher a man in his 70's had a confrontation at a council tip
as already posted by henry k, and commented by me above:
Council tip rage - henry k Mon 27 Nov 06 18:24
" It is not just drivers on public roads ! For your information. news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/southern_counties/6188726.stm "
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"Whatever his problem is, why do you want to be a part of it?"
That is the best thing I have heard in a long time.
Sorry to hear your news none - it could have happened to anyone so just forget it as one of those things that is part of life's rich tapestry.
I believe I have become much more tolerant of idiots on the road since reading a similar thread on here where a number of BRers gave tips for calming yourself down and not getting involved - I will try and find it. It was a very good thread.
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None - I think he should be getting more than a caution on the assault you describe. Kicking while on the ground merits Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm in my book (unless you had no injuries). And "road rage" incidents are generally beyond the Magistrates' powers of sentencing.
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Groovymucker,
The PC who dealt with the incident, and visited me at home, told me the the attack would probably merit a caution.
He took photo's of my injuries, ie bloodstained face and cuts to my somewhat bald head. These injuries were superficial with no permanent damage. I discovered later that I had bruises on various bits of my body, and I ached so much that I had to take four days off work. The PC did suggest that I go to my doctor for treatment and authorise access by the police to my recent medical history, in case of a prosecution. He also suggested that the victim support organisation might be of some help.
I didn't go to the doctor, and I didn't contact victim support.
To be honest, although the PC was sympathetic, his general theme was sort of 'Ah well, you won't get involved again, will you'.
Another case sorted out, good for the performance figures eh.
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I think the officer should have taken it more seriously than you believe he did. It's possible that he is doing something, but not letting on. But if you have independent witnesses as well as your own evidence, and this was a serious assault (I think the fact that you were kicked on the ground could take it beyond common assault), then unless there are really exceptional circumstances, it shouldn't simply be cautioned. Maybe you provoked him, but the response was wholly disproportionate and - as someone said above - what if he picks on the bloke with the weak heart next?
Glad you're taking it so phlegmatically, though.
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If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it is probably a duck.
If someone drives like a nutter ... best to stay clear. As someone has said, think Kenneth Noye (a double murderer).
Regarding the attack on a forum member, I think the PC should have pursued it further. But he probably reckons that if it went to court the outcome would be a verbal caution due to being provoked. Just an uneducated guess.
Leif
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Years ago we had a Renault Fuego for a short while and ,until i tightedned the gear linkages, had what was at best could be called an orbital gearbox.
Coming home one night with the missus driving we were tailgated by a car on high beam.
The missus got increasingly ratty and when said car overtook she switched on high beam ,dropped a cog and overtook them, just as we drew level and i came eyeball to eyeball with four enormous blokes she lost the gears, we still had momentum and we coasted along side them glaring and me sweating.
Luckily our slip appeared and she backed off, found a gear and we retreated.
I promise it is not a regular occurance but another time another car did the same when we were returning home from a meal at the in-laws, this time it was flashing its lights as well as tailgating.
Broom !! it overtook !! Vroom the missus booted it and Christ !! the car in front stopped dead and we screeched up to the boot of the offending car.
When i had regained vocal and bladder control i recognised the car, it was my brother in laws car, the mother in law had found the wifes handbag and was trying to give it back.
I will not lower myself to make any derrogratory comment about their driving,,,,she's watching...
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