Other drivers getting aggravated when turning

glider3560

Biggles wrote: »

If it happens a lot to you - and doesn't happen to anyone else - then it most certainly is an indication you're doing something wrong.

Or that the other drivers are just being impatient and driving badly themselves.

NBLondon

Biggles wrote: »

If it happens a lot to you - and doesn't happen to anyone else - then it most certainly is an indication you're doing something wrong.

Or unexpected... as Sea Shell describes above.


My understanding of the horn (also flashing lights and the cycle bell) is to warn another road user of your presence when they may/seem to be unaware of it. That sometimes overlaps with the "using it as a rebuke" which you're not supposed to do - if someone suddenly cuts into your lane, without psychic powers you cannot tell whether they actually didn't see you (and need alerting to another vehicle) or didn't bother to look (and need smacking round the head with a 2x4). It means "Hey - there's someone here" though it often gets used as "Hey - I'm coming through".


I'd agree with lister - being aware of the driver behind is a good survival skill - not just that there is someone behind but how close they are and do they appear to be paying attention; if stopped, take a slightly longer look and see if they have a phone/cig/makeup brush in their hand or are turning round to shout at kids while still rolling. Then take precautions if you can...

Strider590

Sea_Shell wrote: »

I've been beeped a couple of times...but I worry about being rear-ended everyday.

My work is down a small side road, with a very tight entrance (single track) off a main road, just before a roundabout. I indicate in plenty of time, but drivers behind assume i'm turning left at the roundabout, and get caught out by me slowing much earlier than they think, because they don't see the turning i'm taking. Don't know what more I can do? Have had a couple of close calls!! I've even tried going down to the roundabout and coming back and turning right....but that's almost as bad, as people expect you to accelerate away from the roundabout!! Any tips?

In this a common problem for people who have a house/driveway just off a main road, turning off will often surprise the driver behind, indicate at a normal distance, brake as normal.

You may find it useful to using the hazards to get the drivers attention when you first start indicating, because effectively you are creating a potential unexpected hazard.




I kind of have the opposite problem, my street is off a busy main road JUST after a set of traffic lights. So people race off and tailgate you off the lights, then when you indicate to turn left you need to position to the right and slow right down because people often double park vans/4x4s just inside the road entrance such that you can't see what's coming the opposite way AND there is another sharp turn to the left literally 1-2 car lengths from the main road, with more double parked cars, so if you took it tight you wouldn't get around that corner at all.
Of course this then frustrates the driver that's tailgating you even though it's plainly obvious which road your turning into.

Normally I have no problem, on the rare occasion I get a BMW/Audi driver who overtakes and wheel spins off up the road (just angry with themselves) and the female drivers (only the impatient ones) who tend to lean on the horn as though it's your fault they weren't paying attention. My GF has told me she's had a few instances where this demographic have attempted to undertake her (much smaller car than mine) as she's about to turn left.

Norman_Castle

glider3560 wrote: »

To answer some of the points raised....

I always indicate well before slowing down.

The footpath has a well used cycle path. Many (most) cyclists fail to give way to cars as there is a speed bump which they can ride straight over. You have to look over your shoulder properly before turning.

That bump is immediately as you turn into the road. You cannot turn at any speed.

The road I'm turning into is narrow, so you cannot turn too fast, or you'll take the corner too wide and end up crashing into cars wanting to pull out.

If its only a problem at specific junction its likely to be the following drivers mistake. I live on a busy road and have had cars written off and countless horn blaring opinions from other drivers. From memory 5 close neigbours have also had cars written off when slowing to stop and there are regular rear end accidents along the road. The road is wide and clear compared to other local roads so I think drivers view it as easy and they expect to speed up. Despite having continuous homes and businesses some passing motorists are confused when a car slows or stops on this road.
A light up, 30mph, Slow Down sign was installed a few years ago which has made a difference.

Car_54

Strider590 wrote: »

You may find it useful to using the hazards to get the drivers attention when you first start indicating, because effectively you are creating a potential unexpected hazard.

Useful - possibly.

Illegal - definitely.

Car_54

NBLondon wrote: »

My understanding of the horn (also flashing lights and the cycle bell) is to warn another road user of your presence when they may/seem to be unaware of it. That sometimes overlaps with the "using it as a rebuke" which you're not supposed to do - if someone suddenly cuts into your lane, without psychic powers you cannot tell whether they actually didn't see you (and need alerting to another vehicle) or didn't bother to look (and need smacking round the head with a 2x4).

AFAIK there are no restrictions on the use of a cycle bell.

Also, although I agree with your views on the smack around the head, it's a 4x2 in this country, 2x4 in America.;).

Strider590

Car_54 wrote: »

Useful - possibly.

Illegal - definitely.

Wow, so when I brake hard and my car automatically flashes it's hazard lights, that is in fact illegal. Good to know.........

qetu1357

Sicard wrote: »

I'm with you on this and I've taken out the bulbs in my brake lights. Whoever thought to invent brake lights must've been stupid. I also don't use lights at night because I can see very well in the dark. And don't talk to me about fog lights.

Made me laugh.

But don't get me on people who use their fog lights ALL the time:mad:

Mercdriver

BeenThroughItAll wrote: »

If you are really so strapped as to be unable to afford the odd set of brake pads every 20K miles, how do you afford fuel? In terms of the relative costs of owning a car, brake pads make up a vanishingly small part.

I've done 62k on the set I have, and they still have another year's worth of wear left on them according to my last service report.

Strider590

Mercdriver wrote: »

I've done 62k on the set I have, and they still have another year's worth of wear left on them according to my last service report.

Service report? What's that?

I check my tyres/brakes/everything every week.