Confrontation with reckless driver

Joe_Horner

corbyboy wrote: »

No, I have never, ever used my horn in that way. Also, I have never flashed my lights to tell a driver to come through. Not claiming to be a good driver, I just do my best to follow the Highway Code.

I've never used my horn like that, but I will flash people through, because that's (generally) understood and can help traffic move more smoothly. What I won't do is assume that someone else flashing their lights means the same thing - I'll pause until it's clear that they're waiting for me (which seems to be what the OP did here).

Iceweasel

I don't think there have been many self-righteous posts in this thread at all.

We have all done silly things when younger.

But we grow to ignore and forget about being cut up or whatever by selfish drivers in a hurry who feel that their journey is of more importance than others.

Of course the RAC van driver was wrong - if nothing else he caused another driver anxiety.

I don't know whereabouts this occurred but I can tell from the description that the streets were narrow and there were lots of parked vehicles.

Every time I go anywhere near a busy city or a congested housing development I can sense a feeling of urgency and people entering gaps that are a bit small and generally being impatient.

The van drivers reaction of smiling/smirking/laughing was unfortunate.

People do not like being laughed at.

I once reverse parked into a space with a van with no rear windows but equipped with a rear camera - the driver of the car behind came leaping up to my door screaming that I had nearly reversed into his car.

With hindsight I now see that I should not have laughed or smiled as he went completely bonkers.

I too feel that the police would not be too bothered if the OP reported it, and the RAC driver is he drives that way will no doubt get loads of irritated people showing their unhappiness with him.

He probably won't report it because of his driving beforehand.

The message here for all of us is to move on - forget it - but learn from it.

Norman_Castle

Like I said I am just now very nervous the driver will have contacted the Police but am hoping he only said he would do this as I said I was going to report him to RAC.

He will not call the police. Its a minor argument between motorists. No damage and no witnesses. If you contact the RAC its likely he will have a different version of events and nothing will happen although if the same driver has numerous complaints its likely they will take action against him..
Its a diving lesson for both drivers. You've learnt that some drivers are arrogant. He's learnt that driving arrogantly in a marked company van from an organisation whos customers are motorists is stupid and may threaten his job.

Iceweasel

Joe_Horner wrote: »

I've never used my horn like that, but I will flash people through, because that's (generally) understood and can help traffic move more smoothly. What I won't do is assume that someone else flashing their lights means the same thing - I'll pause until it's clear that they're waiting for me (which seems to be what the OP did here).

The problem with flashing headlights these days - certainly where I live, and I think it's same over the whole of the UK - is the growing number of drivers (in UK registered cars) who are from other countries - especially from central and Eastern Europe where flashing one's headlights means exactly the opposite of what most UK drivers mean.

It means 'stay back I am coming through' or 'I claim right of way'

I learned that the hard way in the Balkans many years ago.

When a car flashes lights to me on a narrow country road in rural Aberdeenshire for example I wait a second or two longer than I used to - to make sure that he/she is not going to proceed first.

I doubt the OP was thinking of this but she was right to hang on a second or so to be sure of the other driver's intentions.

wiogs

sunshine1980 wrote: »

Thank you for your reply it has made me feel better! Yes I was flashed through and the RAC van overtook me and went through. I only slowed down slightly not stopped. I am not sure if the van had dash cam as the driver got out afterwards to take picture of my car so not sure if he would have done this with dash cam?

Also when I said I told the driver I was going to report him I mean to the RAC not the Police.

Be assured I will put this down to experience and never ever do anything like this again. Like I said I am just now very nervous the driver will have contacted the Police but am hoping he only said he would do this as I said I was going to report him to RAC.

Someone flashing their lights at you does not mean you have been "flashed through"

Custom in some areas may indicate that this is what the other driver meant but as has been pointed out not always.

"Flashing headlights. Only flash your headlights to let other road users know that you are there. Do not flash your headlights to convey any other message or intimidate other road users."

From here - http://www.highwaycode.info/rule/110

DUTR

Iceweasel wrote: »

The problem with flashing headlights these days - certainly where I live is the growing number of drivers (in UK registered cars) who are from other countries - especially from central and Eastern Europe where flashing one's headlights means exactly the opposite of what most UK drivers mean.

It means 'stay back I am coming through' or 'I claim right of way'

I learned that the hard way in the Balkans many years ago.

When a car flashes lights to me on a narrow country road in rural Aberdeenshire for example I wait a second or two longer than I used to - to make sure that he/she is not going to proceed first.

I doubt the OP was thinking of this but she was right to hang on a second or so to be sure of the other driver's intentions.

The flashing of lights I don't think appears in the highway code, however the way they are flashed can mean as you say "I claim right of way" or it could mean" I acknowledge your presence please proceed" I guess one has to assess each situation individually, especially as there are cases where people flash to allow a vehicle onto their path then drive into them , claiming they were pulled out on.

sequence

Anybody who thinks the police will attend someone banging on a car window is delusional.

burlington6

Try it with a unmarked white van next time, see how it ends up then

Strider590

sequence wrote: »

Anybody who thinks the police will attend someone banging on a car window is delusional.

Friend of mine did what OP did, the driver (who'd done something REALLY stupid), he claimed my friend was carrying a baseball bat (he wasn't), the Police showed up at his home and he spent 6 hrs in a cell while they searched his home/car for a weapon.

wiogs

DUTR wrote: »

The flashing of lights I don't think appears in the highway code, however the way they are flashed can mean as you say "I claim right of way" or it could mean" I acknowledge your presence please proceed" I guess one has to assess each situation individually, especially as there are cases where people flash to allow a vehicle onto their path then drive into them , claiming they were pulled out on.

It does indeed appear in the code, see Rules 110 and 111.

http://www.highwaycode.info/general-rules-all-drivers-riders-103-to-158