Biggest culprits - inconsiderate drivers?

facade

MissMoriarty wrote: »

In particular, I hate those who see you coming towards them, hesitate..and then still pull out of a junction. They will then continue to travel at -25mph. This causes me to brake...and those (if any) behind me to brake.

Could they not wait a few more seconds for a safe opportunity?

Ditto, except, invariably, the road behind me is clear as far as the eye can see, so they are doing it deliberately, to make my day that tiny bit more miserable than having to go to work has already made it

And worse, when we get to the end of the road, they then wait 10 minutes until the road is clear as far as the eye can see in both directions before pulling out.

They've just had me on the ABS* pulling out 10 feet in front, but now they need 1/2 a mile :eek: Is it because they really got so frightened nearly having me in the passenger seat that now they need more space?

or is it just they are doing it deliberately, to make my day that tiny bit more miserable :eek:



*Yes I had my foot over the brake ready, you know they will pull out by the way they keep staring at you (they don't look where they are going either, for all they know they could be driving into the back of a stationary bus, that I was about to swerve round at the last instant- one day....... )

rainbowfairydust

Gavin83 wrote: »

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Therefore there is the second option, that naturally bad drivers for some reason are attracted to BMW/Audi over other brands. Is this what your suggesting?

I think that audi/bmw are both "flashy" brands, and they attract a certain "type" of personality/person or appeal to someone's personal traits . Both cars promote themselves as being the type of car that is for "go getters", or "powerful " people - people who want to be "noticed " and WANT to have the best of everything - from car to clothes to phone etc.

From what i have seen, there isnt one particular age demographic that are any worse than another - its pretty much across the spectrum - from young lads, to older men and also women drivers, so this (to me )makes it look like its more down to the "type of personality" of people who purchase bmw/audi's.

Perhaps audi/bmw owners were bad drivers in previous cars they owned, or could it be down to the advertising of the cars being marketed as powerful, confident etc which then gives owners some sort of psychological superiority over other road users?

Cornucopia

Gavin83 wrote: »

Ok. It's not something I've noticed when driving to be honest. I couldn't pick one particular brand of car that promotes bad driving.

In the old days it was the old style Mini. Some Mini drivers were just barking mad.

Lets assume your right for a second though. There are really two possibilities here. Firstly that its something about the car. I personally can't see how an individual could drive, for example, a Ford and drive like a saint. Upon purchasing their next car, a BMW they then suddenly start driving dangerously and inconsiderately.


Therefore there is the second option, that naturally bad drivers for some reason are attracted to BMW/Audi over other brands. Is this what your suggesting?

It's not just me - the OP put Audi & BMW in the poll for a good reason, I expect.

I haven't ventured an explanation because I'm not sure there is a single factor. I imagine it being a combination of things:

- Company cars no longer being locked down to "British" marques.

- Traditional hot-hatches and Japanese sports cars being less popular.

- A sense of entitlement that persists in our society, generally.

- The sheer joy of driving a powerful car.

rainbowfairydust

Cornucopia wrote: »

In the old days it was the old style Mini. Some Mini drivers were just barking mad.

It's not just me - the OP put Audi & BMW in the poll for a good reason, I expect.

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Indeed - because when i encounter rude/inconsiderate/arrogant behaviour on the road - it is usually someone in a BMW or Audi ( this is excluding taxi drivers ).

NiallB

facade wrote: »

.....

They've just had me on the ABS* pulling out 10 feet in front, ....

Wait, are you posting while driving? :-D

fannyadams

The list is long and distinguished:
People who put their fog lights on then leave them on when I come up behind them. No need to illuminate the rear of your vehicle as *I* am now at the rear of the queue and have MY fog light on to warn other road users. SO SWITCH YOURS OFF OR I WILL LEAVE MY HEADLIGHTS ON FULL UNTIL YOU DO.
People who switch their fog lights on in October and switch them off in March.
People who think it's OK to drive whilst texting/talking on their mobile. NO IT'S NOT, EVER.
Poor lane discipline. Don't make me dive for the verge/hedge/kerb just because YOU can't drive!
Driving along so slowly because you are distracted by talking to your passenger!
Parking half on the pavement and half on the road - I love that I am forced to walk in the road to get by your stupid car (NOT).
Parking RIGHT OUTSIDE the place you want when it's in a dangerous zone - on a bend, on the brow of a hill, on a junction... why not find somewhere safer to park and (shock) WALK TO THE HOUSE YOU WANT TO VISIT.
Parking oposite another car in a narrow road JUST because you live there... I love the challenge of driving through the miniscule gap you have left, lets hope the Ambulance or Fire Brigade appreciate the challenge too.
Tailgating - please get closer, I love to see how slowly I can make you drive.
People who drive at me/face me down when it is my right of way (my favourite = parked cars on opposite side of road, my side clear. They *should* wait, but decide to drive at me) just because I appear to be driving an inferior car.

almillar

Agree with so many of the above. If I can choose ONE, and it covers a lot of the complaints above, and is also the number 1 cause of crashes - it's inattention.
Not going when the light turns green.
Not speeding up when the limit changes (or slowing down)
Using the phone, talking to passengers, finding something in your car apart from driving to concentrate on
Changing lane late instead of carrying on when it's far too late
Changing lane when someone's already there (or let's call it 'not using mirrors)
Hogging the outside or middle lane
Not indicating
So many more, but the above can come down to inattention or pure laziness.
In relation to people dong 40 in a 60, alistairq does make some good points. It's frustrating, and I'll be straight into overtaking mode, but there are legitimate reasons for people driving slowly - I usually imagine them transporting a fish tank or something.
So it's people driving at 40 in a 60 with NO GOOD REASON that are annoying. If you're doing this to save fuel, take in the scenery or whatever that's fine. If someone comes up behind you, and there's nowhere for them to overtake, speed up, or pull over. You're either on a schedule or you're not. Keeping someone behind is inconsiderate to other road users.
I'll also point out that you're expected to drive AT the speed limit, or as close as allowed, during your driving test, to demonstrate ability (and observation).

alastairq

So it's people driving at 40 in a 60 with NO GOOD REASON that are annoying

But..that's my point!

I have yet to see a Ford Focus with a pop-up sign at the back saying ''I'm doing 40 for no good reason''.

Everyone will have a 'reason' for doing what they are doing.

As for pulling over?

Where are you expecting me to pull over?

Oh yes, I can stop, all right.....but I will be in your way, and it will be twice as difficult to go round my stationary vehicle, honest....far better to simply follow until an opportunity arises [This is a serious issue those who undergo so-called 'blue light' training have to face.]

The real problem isn't the 40 mph hero...but the one behind, who simply will not overtake, even when slapped in the face with a 5 mile clear view ahead.

OK, so I exaggerate a bit, but I'm sure folk get the drift?

If it's too busy to pass, or too twisty, or the road markings make it prohibitive...then should we actually be going any faster in the first place?

As for a concept of 'moving aside' to allow others to pass...as I noted quite early on in this thread....well are we really presenting the vehicle behind with a 'better view?'

If they are that close they cannot see beyond my vehicle, I wouldn't really want such drivers in front of me......doubtless getting in the way further down the road?

Neither do I wish to 'encourage' motorcyclists to form a third line of traffic, between me, and the oncoming vehicles...on what amounts to a 'single' carriageway..

So, if you want to overtake me....I'll simply keep 'my course, and my speed'....[as the HC demands?}

I 'failed' enough tests in the past, because I...like many novice drivers, tended to 'move left' when about to be, or being, overtaken'....[London Transport Examiners were harsh !!!!!!s, back in the day].....I soon learnt to keep my position........gives me 'somewhere' to go, if the overtaking vehicle gets it all wrong, eh?

Too much so-called 'courtesy', actually fails miserably, to see, and understand, the 'bigger picture'....

benham3160

This thread is hilarious for several of the good reasons pointed out by some more level-headed, less spiteful, less jealous or otherwise members.

We're fascinated as a society broadly by putting subjects in to boxes, when I'm driving a car, I'm a car driver, bah, they're the worst! When I'm riding my motorcycle I'm a motorcyclist (the pantomime hiss goes up, exist stage left), they're !!!!!! too! When I'm riding my bicycle on the road I'm an evil eco-warrior inconsiderate cyclist who clearly can't afford a car, when I'm walking I'm a bloody pedestrian, clearly with no road sense by virtue of walking rather than cycling.

Some people desperately need to get a grip. Have people also considered often people are driving what they're given to drive (in the case of company vehicles) and I'm yet to jump in to my Audi and think "oh, better drive like a knobber today, I've got the rings on the grill."

We all make mistakes driving, we all do silly things, think a few people on here are overlooking that.

matttye

Herzlos wrote: »

People who aren't paying attention when you're trying to let them out. You're turning left, why are you looking to the left? If I have to flash you twice to let you out and you don't notice, you've lost your opportunity.

And people driving white cars.

That annoys me as well. But sometimes you end up in one of those stalemates where you start to move off again and they finally twig on you were going to let them out and start to pull out, by which time you've started to move again so you both stop again.