What do you do if another driver endangers you on the road?
Discussion
I'm after some opinions and advice..
Someone does something clearly against the highway code, endangers you as a result and causes you to take avoiding action. What do you do?
I just had this happen and out of annoyance on the spur of the moment hooted my horn. Bad move, as the other driver went loopy, started screaming at me and then tried to pursue me!
I realise that the horn shouldn't be used as a rebuke, so should I just forgive and forget? If the guy continues driving like that without knowing it then he could cause an accident, but equally I don't want to endanger myself by annoying the other driver. This must happen so often that we can't all call the police with the registration number of the offending car, as their phone lines would be blocked I'm sure!
I normally don't hoot, I just silently forgive and forget and continue on my way - do you think that is irresponsible of me?
Someone does something clearly against the highway code, endangers you as a result and causes you to take avoiding action. What do you do?
I just had this happen and out of annoyance on the spur of the moment hooted my horn. Bad move, as the other driver went loopy, started screaming at me and then tried to pursue me!
I realise that the horn shouldn't be used as a rebuke, so should I just forgive and forget? If the guy continues driving like that without knowing it then he could cause an accident, but equally I don't want to endanger myself by annoying the other driver. This must happen so often that we can't all call the police with the registration number of the offending car, as their phone lines would be blocked I'm sure!
I normally don't hoot, I just silently forgive and forget and continue on my way - do you think that is irresponsible of me?
Horn only if it is in time to help him not hit you -- never after the event. The general reaction for an inattentive driver is to stop when they hear the horn. Bear this in mind before hooting as you might actually want them to continue on their committed path to give you room behind them.
Can you as a one-man-band correct the faulty driving of others?
My motto is that you'll never improve their driving from outside their vehicle (and I don't intend to enter it whilst still in my car). So move on.
One day they will do it to plod or unmarked plod, or worse to another numpty and crash. You won't be there. You won't get the satisfaction of seeing it happen. But you won't be involved, either.
Can you as a one-man-band correct the faulty driving of others?
My motto is that you'll never improve their driving from outside their vehicle (and I don't intend to enter it whilst still in my car). So move on.
One day they will do it to plod or unmarked plod, or worse to another numpty and crash. You won't be there. You won't get the satisfaction of seeing it happen. But you won't be involved, either.
Thanks guys - that's pretty much what I normally do (i.e. nothing); but this morning got me wondering if they knew they had done wrong then they would be less likely to do it in the future, and I may prevent an accident? However, it is probably more likely that an 'accident' will occur when they jump out of their car and threaten me or dent (or in my case, pierce!) my car with a crowbar! 
It’s very difficult to remain calm when a moron cuts you up or is just driving badly that it affects other drivers around him/her.
I pride myself on being a competent driver and am always looking to improve my driving skills (awareness, control, positioning, technique, etc). When someone else invades “my space” driving badly or dangerously, I have to admit that I find it hard to stay calm. I find it even more infuriating when they blame you for their mistakes, just because they can’t drive!
However, I still think that beeping the horn in an aggressive manner will only make matters worse (in most cases) as it tends to incense the driver.
In these situations I’ve tried many difference methods. Beeping the horn, flashing my lights, moving back and giving them space without any horn or flashing, etc. The best thing I’ve found is to constantly scan the area and being aware of potentially erratic or unaware drivers, this way you tend to be slightly better prepared for people pulling out as you are driving more defensively.
However, there are of course occasions where people will behave very erratically and in these instances the horn is there as a warning device and should be used. I’ll normally give a brief toot just to let them know I’m there.
Generally I’ve found that this doesn’t wind people up, but if I were to hold down the horn, gritting my teeth, then this could be conveyed as an aggressive action. If, even after a short beep they are still incensed, I’ll just hang back, give them space and avoid eye contact.
People will generally only carry on when they get a reaction back, so starring, shouting, giving the finger to them will only get them further riled!
Yeah I know it’s hard sometimes to remain calm, but the last thing you want it getting into a conflict on the road as the red mist descends and you lose not only your composure but also you clear thinking “advanced driving” mind!
Anyway….my 2p’s worth
I pride myself on being a competent driver and am always looking to improve my driving skills (awareness, control, positioning, technique, etc). When someone else invades “my space” driving badly or dangerously, I have to admit that I find it hard to stay calm. I find it even more infuriating when they blame you for their mistakes, just because they can’t drive!
However, I still think that beeping the horn in an aggressive manner will only make matters worse (in most cases) as it tends to incense the driver.
In these situations I’ve tried many difference methods. Beeping the horn, flashing my lights, moving back and giving them space without any horn or flashing, etc. The best thing I’ve found is to constantly scan the area and being aware of potentially erratic or unaware drivers, this way you tend to be slightly better prepared for people pulling out as you are driving more defensively.
However, there are of course occasions where people will behave very erratically and in these instances the horn is there as a warning device and should be used. I’ll normally give a brief toot just to let them know I’m there.
Generally I’ve found that this doesn’t wind people up, but if I were to hold down the horn, gritting my teeth, then this could be conveyed as an aggressive action. If, even after a short beep they are still incensed, I’ll just hang back, give them space and avoid eye contact.
People will generally only carry on when they get a reaction back, so starring, shouting, giving the finger to them will only get them further riled!
Yeah I know it’s hard sometimes to remain calm, but the last thing you want it getting into a conflict on the road as the red mist descends and you lose not only your composure but also you clear thinking “advanced driving” mind!
Anyway….my 2p’s worth
Thanks for all your opinions. In the incident today, someone turned right in front of me without indicating or road positioning or anything. The horn wasn't necessary as I brought the car to a halt in time to avoid them. In frustration I hooted the horn though, which I admit was wrong. The guy went nuts and chased me...
Last week someone was overtaking me on a dual carriageway and swerved twice towards my car nearly hitting me. I had to move right over near the hard shoulder to avoid a collision. The horn was necessary as a "oi - I'm here!" notification, although sadly still the driver got peed off and pursued me once he'd finished texting, which I found out was the cause of his swerve after looking over at him after the swerve (he was miles away, texting away on his phone). When he finished the text, he calmly and precisey started hurling abuse at me! charming!
Last week someone was overtaking me on a dual carriageway and swerved twice towards my car nearly hitting me. I had to move right over near the hard shoulder to avoid a collision. The horn was necessary as a "oi - I'm here!" notification, although sadly still the driver got peed off and pursued me once he'd finished texting, which I found out was the cause of his swerve after looking over at him after the swerve (he was miles away, texting away on his phone). When he finished the text, he calmly and precisey started hurling abuse at me! charming!
Must be your magnetic personality, Rob!
Seriously though, I find correct use of the horn tricky. So often people seem to take offence even when you use the horn as you should, eg to warn someone at a side entrance of your approach. Since even the most innocent toot risks provoking road rage, I find that I hold back from using the horn, even where I probably should use it, just to avoid giving offence.
Perhaps we all need to be a bit more Italian!
Seriously though, I find correct use of the horn tricky. So often people seem to take offence even when you use the horn as you should, eg to warn someone at a side entrance of your approach. Since even the most innocent toot risks provoking road rage, I find that I hold back from using the horn, even where I probably should use it, just to avoid giving offence.
Perhaps we all need to be a bit more Italian!
gdaybruce said:
Must be your magnetic personality, Rob!
Seriously though, I find correct use of the horn tricky. So often people seem to take offence even when you use the horn as you should, eg to warn someone at a side entrance of your approach. Since even the most innocent toot risks provoking road rage, I find that I hold back from using the horn, even where I probably should use it, just to avoid giving offence.
Perhaps we all need to be a bit more Italian!
Yes, in the above situation maybe I could have just quietly avoided him by braking and moving to the left. Mind you, I was following another car and the overtaker was going sufficiently fast that if I hadn't warned him of his lane drift he could have collided with the back of the car in front. By hooting I got him to look up straight away and get back in lane. It attracted road rage though...
RobM77 said:
Thanks guys - that's pretty much what I normally do (i.e. nothing); but this morning got me wondering if they knew they had done wrong then they would be less likely to do it in the future, and I may prevent an accident? However, it is probably more likely that an 'accident' will occur when they jump out of their car and threaten me or dent (or in my case, pierce!) my car with a crowbar!
Rob - let's be honest. People who drive sh!t know it 99.9% of the time. They don't give a toss. You cannot change their behaviour, 'cos they don't think it needs changing.
All you can hope for is that they eventually end up in a ditch, or they get booked, or they decide to 'gesticulate' to Mad Frankie Fraser. The first 2 you can hope to drive past, the last one you will drive over, as they will be buried under the M25.
Keep ya cool and drive on.
big Fat F'er said:
Thanks guys - that's pretty much what I normally do (i.e. nothing); but this morning got me wondering if they knew they had done wrong then they would be less likely to do it in the future, and I may prevent an accident? However, it is probably more likely that an 'accident' will occur when they jump out of their car and threaten me or dent (or in my case, pierce!) my car with a crowbar!
Rob - let's be honest. People who drive sh!t know it 99.9% of the time. They don't give a toss. You cannot change their behaviour, 'cos they don't think it needs changing.
All you can hope for is that they eventually end up in a ditch, or they get booked, or they decide to 'gesticulate' to Mad Frankie Fraser. The first 2 you can hope to drive past, the last one you will drive over, as they will be buried under the M25.
Keep ya cool and drive on.
Yes, I guess so. I should add that I don't get angry as such - it's just that this morning I was taken by surprise by some idiot's action and tooted the horn in disbelief and frustration, which I admit I shouldn't do.
You're right - I should take consolation in the fact that someone that stupid probably doesn't have much of a life anyway, as he's probably too thick to put his shoes on the right feet, which I hear can be very uncomfortable.
As Rob said -- there's definitely a right way to toot the horn.
I was looking to pull out of a sideroad the other day, and clocked a motorcyclist zipping along. He gave a little short double-hoot - toot-toot and I waved to acknowledge that I'd seen and heard him and wasn't going to putt out and kill him. It sounded like a little "I'm here" hoot, rather than a nasty get out of my way you idiot hoot.
No offence all round.
I was looking to pull out of a sideroad the other day, and clocked a motorcyclist zipping along. He gave a little short double-hoot - toot-toot and I waved to acknowledge that I'd seen and heard him and wasn't going to putt out and kill him. It sounded like a little "I'm here" hoot, rather than a nasty get out of my way you idiot hoot.
No offence all round.
I think I speak for everyone when I say that bad driving is really the one thing in life that gets me angry (and I am a calm person).
Everyone here I would imagine loves driving and enjoys the pursuit of improving their abilities. When "Joe public" comes along driving dangerously, erratically or with just plain ignorance, it is hard to not get annoyed at them, especially when they blame you for their incompetence!!
People who do not use the correct lanes on roundabouts or turns that are clearly marked (i.e. left hand lane only) just because they can't be bothered to look. People who don't bother indicating or others that will use the right hand lane in a roundabout to go straight on (or left hand lane to go right). I even followed someone once who had their left hand indictor going and decided to turn right.
Anyway not to go off topic, but there are a lot of issues like this where people just do not have a clue. The reason for their anger when you use your horn is that they think they've done nothing wrong. This is almost as bad as drivers, when you do "beep" them, have absolutely no idea that they've been tooted...they carry on in their own little bubble.
I'd still say that regardless of all of this, you should still use the horn to warn people of your presence. If they get angry, leave them be. It's better to get someone annoyed than getting the front end of your car taken off.
If the beep on the horn will not actually benefit you (i.e. stop someone hitting you or someone else) then I'd not bother using it. Bad drivers will only learn when it's too late and either themselves or someone else gets seriously injuried!
Unfortunately this is the problem when you allow people to drive from 17 years old and never re-test anybody. I passed my G.C.S.E. maths years ago but if you asked me to sit an exam paper, I'd probably do pretty badly.
So why do they let you loose after one test!?!?
Ah thats another kettle of fish
Everyone here I would imagine loves driving and enjoys the pursuit of improving their abilities. When "Joe public" comes along driving dangerously, erratically or with just plain ignorance, it is hard to not get annoyed at them, especially when they blame you for their incompetence!!
People who do not use the correct lanes on roundabouts or turns that are clearly marked (i.e. left hand lane only) just because they can't be bothered to look. People who don't bother indicating or others that will use the right hand lane in a roundabout to go straight on (or left hand lane to go right). I even followed someone once who had their left hand indictor going and decided to turn right.
Anyway not to go off topic, but there are a lot of issues like this where people just do not have a clue. The reason for their anger when you use your horn is that they think they've done nothing wrong. This is almost as bad as drivers, when you do "beep" them, have absolutely no idea that they've been tooted...they carry on in their own little bubble.
I'd still say that regardless of all of this, you should still use the horn to warn people of your presence. If they get angry, leave them be. It's better to get someone annoyed than getting the front end of your car taken off.
If the beep on the horn will not actually benefit you (i.e. stop someone hitting you or someone else) then I'd not bother using it. Bad drivers will only learn when it's too late and either themselves or someone else gets seriously injuried!
Unfortunately this is the problem when you allow people to drive from 17 years old and never re-test anybody. I passed my G.C.S.E. maths years ago but if you asked me to sit an exam paper, I'd probably do pretty badly.
So why do they let you loose after one test!?!?
Ah thats another kettle of fish
chrisr32 said:
Unfortunately this is the problem when you allow people to drive from 17 years old and never re-test anybody. I passed my G.C.S.E. maths years ago but if you asked me to sit an exam paper, I'd probably do pretty badly.
So why do they let you loose after one test!?!?
Ah thats another kettle of fish
I couldn't agree more. I'd love to see a politician try to defend the notion that a test passed at 17 sets you up for a life of driving without any re-tests. Most things like the smoking ban etc cause argument, which is fair enough, but only having one test when you're a teenager and that's it!! surely no-one would argue against the fact that it is just plain insanity. That policy probably causes several deaths a year, and many millions of wasted revenue as working people sit in queues caused by accidents but the government probably don't care.
The problem is, is that there would be a public uproar if people had to sit a re-test, say every 5 years.
A lot of people have no interest in driving, which is fine, but at the same time they have to be responsible. This is why Advanced Driving teaches basically teaches you defence driving as you can't trust other road users.
I still don't think the government will ever do anything this radical, but as a middle ground they could at least limit engine size to driving status.
For example, in order to get into something like a TVR / Caterham / Porsche, etc, you would need to pass an advanced driving standard in order to be able to legally have the car. You would have to produce your advanced driver status upon insuring the car.
Yeah it wouldn't necessary stop the bad drivers, but might encourage a few more people to increase their driving standards!
A lot of people have no interest in driving, which is fine, but at the same time they have to be responsible. This is why Advanced Driving teaches basically teaches you defence driving as you can't trust other road users.
I still don't think the government will ever do anything this radical, but as a middle ground they could at least limit engine size to driving status.
For example, in order to get into something like a TVR / Caterham / Porsche, etc, you would need to pass an advanced driving standard in order to be able to legally have the car. You would have to produce your advanced driver status upon insuring the car.
Yeah it wouldn't necessary stop the bad drivers, but might encourage a few more people to increase their driving standards!
chrisr32 said:
The problem is, is that there would be a public uproar if people had to sit a re-test, say every 5 years.
A lot of people have no interest in driving, which is fine, but at the same time they have to be responsible. This is why Advanced Driving teaches basically teaches you defence driving as you can't trust other road users.
Absolutely!!! Driving is a privilege, and with privilige comes a responsibility. If someone can't be safe and get on with other road users then in my book that person shouldn't be driving. Driving is dangerous, and I have no time for people that endanger other people by being idiots. I don't care if they have an interest in it or not, they're controlling something that can maim and kill, so they should exercise caution and obey basic safety rules.
chrisr32 said:
I still don't think the government will ever do anything this radical, but as a middle ground they could at least limit engine size to driving status.
For example, in order to get into something like a TVR / Caterham / Porsche, etc, you would need to pass an advanced driving standard in order to be able to legally have the car. You would have to produce your advanced driver status upon insuring the car.
Yeah it wouldn't necessary stop the bad drivers, but might encourage a few more people to increase their driving standards!
I agree. In ten years of driving I have never been cut up or endangered by a TVR, Lotus, Caterham etc. It is always people in A to B cars. The people that view driving like I view doing the washing up - just a job to get done. I maintain though that if I started waving sharp knives around and engangering the people around me whilst washing up then I shouldn't be doing that activity.
All depends on what they did, whether they're still close enough to lip read, and just how dangerous it was.
I have phoned the police with vehicle details for one teenage numpty who, with his three mates probably in his mum's shopping trolley, was undertaking, overtaking and muscling his way through rush hour traffic on the A19. I was watching him when he forced one car to swerve out of his way before he came up behind me leaving on inches between my arse and his bonnet at around 80mph. Flicking on the rear fogs made him move back a little that time. (It's be interesting to know what action the police do take with incidents like this - I never heard anything more, though I did give a full description of car, driver and reg).
For those who know they've done something wrong (you see them watching you in their rear view mirrors) I've found a slow shaking of the head sometimes coupled with 'what a w****r' works best.
There's only one regular move that pisses me off, and that's the undertake in stop start traffic on a motorway. I'm sure I'm not alone when I say I know I'm safer at a ton on a clear road in good conditions than I am at 50 in stop start traffic. Because of that, I always leave a good space between me and whatever's in front (especially if I can't see past ie. it's a Hi-Cube in front of me). The thing is, you just know that the repmobiles are going to cut through at the first opportunity. For the most part, I'll take a breath and drop back further. If they've done something really daft, then I tend to ignore them and drive as if they weren't there, watching the traffic in front of them instead, even though I know that that's dumb.
I have phoned the police with vehicle details for one teenage numpty who, with his three mates probably in his mum's shopping trolley, was undertaking, overtaking and muscling his way through rush hour traffic on the A19. I was watching him when he forced one car to swerve out of his way before he came up behind me leaving on inches between my arse and his bonnet at around 80mph. Flicking on the rear fogs made him move back a little that time. (It's be interesting to know what action the police do take with incidents like this - I never heard anything more, though I did give a full description of car, driver and reg).
For those who know they've done something wrong (you see them watching you in their rear view mirrors) I've found a slow shaking of the head sometimes coupled with 'what a w****r' works best.
There's only one regular move that pisses me off, and that's the undertake in stop start traffic on a motorway. I'm sure I'm not alone when I say I know I'm safer at a ton on a clear road in good conditions than I am at 50 in stop start traffic. Because of that, I always leave a good space between me and whatever's in front (especially if I can't see past ie. it's a Hi-Cube in front of me). The thing is, you just know that the repmobiles are going to cut through at the first opportunity. For the most part, I'll take a breath and drop back further. If they've done something really daft, then I tend to ignore them and drive as if they weren't there, watching the traffic in front of them instead, even though I know that that's dumb.
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