Shock: London Drivers are Patient

[gdaybruce]

Most people seem to think that driving in central London is all about aggression, intolerance and an ‘every man for himself’ approach. As someone who commutes by car regularly, however, I find that the vast majority of drivers are actually pretty tolerant and courteous. Today, I saw two examples of really poor driving that in most countries of the world would have generated a cacophony of horn blowing and a tirade of abuse, no doubt accompanied by many rude gestures. In short succession, two drivers managed to block one lane of the Marylebone Road during the evening rush hour; the first by making a very late decision to turn right without getting into the filter lane and the second by disobeying a no right turn instruction and parking himself right across the flow of traffic.

The result? One car blew his horn a couple of times and everyone else waited patiently for the lights to change and for the offenders to get out of the way. With the second driver this meant allowing him into the traffic, rather than blocking him and leaving him stranded (as he deserved!). No doubt others were, like me, muttering under their breath about the idiocy of some drivers but no one made a fuss or got unduly agitated.

Compared to most places in the world, I’d say that as a nation we are mostly extraordinarily tolerant drivers. Long may it continue! (And I just hope the two miscreants learned the error of their ways but I wouldn't bet on it!)

[7db]

I notice that London drivers are excellent at leaving side-roads unblocked. There's also a certain amount of "see it all before". No point getting het-up about it.

[kiethton]

True, in the majority, but I bet it'd soon fall apart as soon as you see a mini-cab especially in South/South East London (doubly so if it's a black Galaxy)

[Mr Will]

In my experience London drivers are pretty decisive and will move in to any gap as soon as it appears but this is not the aggression it is often mistaken for - just the city version of "making progress". You don't drive in London for very long without getting used to waiting at least some of the time.