4x4 Drivers: Are you met with contempt on the road?
Discussion
As the title says, really. Do those of you who drive large 4x4s and SUVs find that other road users treat you with contempt, be aggressive towards you and generally treat you like you're a 
?
I've been driving fifteen years and have always had normal cars (and a TVR). Apart from the (few) times that I know I've been a dick, been wrong or simply made a mistake, I've never had many issues with other road users doing the following:
Giving me the finger, blocking me out of gaps, not letting me merge, speeding up when I overtake, getting upset with me if in a 50/50 situation as to who should go first I decide to make the move first, shaking their heads at me for no reason and worst of all, brake testing me!
I haven't altered my driving style at all, if anything I drive in a more considerate and more relaxed manner, mainly because the Discovery is such a lumbering bus. But I'm getting the impression that people really dislike large four-wheel-drives. In 2000 miles and three months I've been 'brake tested' three times and in all cases have been following at normal distances, normal enough that I haven't actually needed to brake myself, I've just had to cover the brake pedal. On pretty much every occasion it has been older drivers who have taken these actions - being given the w***er sign by an 80 year old being the highlight. I had my Mum in the car and she was amazed at the anger being directed at me for no reason.
So, anyone else?
?I've been driving fifteen years and have always had normal cars (and a TVR). Apart from the (few) times that I know I've been a dick, been wrong or simply made a mistake, I've never had many issues with other road users doing the following:
Giving me the finger, blocking me out of gaps, not letting me merge, speeding up when I overtake, getting upset with me if in a 50/50 situation as to who should go first I decide to make the move first, shaking their heads at me for no reason and worst of all, brake testing me!
I haven't altered my driving style at all, if anything I drive in a more considerate and more relaxed manner, mainly because the Discovery is such a lumbering bus. But I'm getting the impression that people really dislike large four-wheel-drives. In 2000 miles and three months I've been 'brake tested' three times and in all cases have been following at normal distances, normal enough that I haven't actually needed to brake myself, I've just had to cover the brake pedal. On pretty much every occasion it has been older drivers who have taken these actions - being given the w***er sign by an 80 year old being the highlight. I had my Mum in the car and she was amazed at the anger being directed at me for no reason.
So, anyone else?
No is the short answer. Well not in the RR TDV8 anyways. I did once have someone infront of me throw a brake testing hissy fit when I came up behind them in my old RR 4.6 Vogue on an A road which was a bit strange as even my OH couldn't work out what their problem was. I assume they though
t I was going to drive into the back of them.
But other than that 1 incident about 3 years ago, nothing. Seems to me that people treat me the exact same in the RR as any other car I've driven.
Except the Boxster. That's earnt me 3 'porsche wkers' since I bought it a year ago, all whilst just sedately driving along and all hollered at me by 'pedestrian wkers'. 
t I was going to drive into the back of them.
But other than that 1 incident about 3 years ago, nothing. Seems to me that people treat me the exact same in the RR as any other car I've driven.
Except the Boxster. That's earnt me 3 'porsche w
kers' since I bought it a year ago, all whilst just sedately driving along and all hollered at me by 'pedestrian wkers'. If they're brake testing you, you're probably following too close. That said, I am much more likely to let a car out of a side turning than a modern SUV because modern SUVs are enormous monstrosities which consume all of my forward view and replace it with a garish array of high intensity LEDs which are always beaming directly into my eyes because the blasted thing is of course an auto / semi auto and therefore by law the driver of the SUV must sit with the brakes applied at all times even when sat stationary for minutes at a time.
...Aaand breathe...
...Aaand breathe...
I don't understand it (blocking or being obstructive) myself, but could it be that:
4x4's have a higher driving position, so (like WVM) tend to be driven a little closer to the car in front?
Meeting on country lanes, you're in a 4x4 so can climb the verge to get past? (Quite often out my way, the 4x4's will insist on keeping all 4 wheels on the tarmac, meaning the smaller car has to dive in to the verge at pinchpoints)
No axe to grind, just suggestions
4x4's have a higher driving position, so (like WVM) tend to be driven a little closer to the car in front?
Meeting on country lanes, you're in a 4x4 so can climb the verge to get past? (Quite often out my way, the 4x4's will insist on keeping all 4 wheels on the tarmac, meaning the smaller car has to dive in to the verge at pinchpoints)
No axe to grind, just suggestions
I drive an MX5 and also a Land Cruiser,I find I am treated the same in both.
When I'm in the 2'' lifted LC people are usually only too happy to pull right in out of the way,I don't get any abuse what so ever..
My wife,on the other hand, who is under 5 foot tall looks,tiny next to the LC and she is amazed at how many men and women talk to her when she climbs out,
They want to know how she manages to drive it..
When I'm in the 2'' lifted LC people are usually only too happy to pull right in out of the way,I don't get any abuse what so ever..
My wife,on the other hand, who is under 5 foot tall looks,tiny next to the LC and she is amazed at how many men and women talk to her when she climbs out,
They want to know how she manages to drive it..
simonej said:
As the title says, really. Do those of you who drive large 4x4s and SUVs find that other road users treat you with contempt, be aggressive towards you and generally treat you like you're a ?
I've been driving fifteen years and have always had normal cars (and a TVR). Apart from the (few) times that I know I've been a dick, been wrong or simply made a mistake, I've never had many issues with other road users doing the following:
Giving me the finger, blocking me out of gaps, not letting me merge, speeding up when I overtake, getting upset with me if in a 50/50 situation as to who should go first I decide to make the move first, shaking their heads at me for no reason and worst of all, brake testing me!
I haven't altered my driving style at all, if anything I drive in a more considerate and more relaxed manner, mainly because the Discovery is such a lumbering bus. But I'm getting the impression that people really dislike large four-wheel-drives. In 2000 miles and three months I've been 'brake tested' three times and in all cases have been following at normal distances, normal enough that I haven't actually needed to brake myself, I've just had to cover the brake pedal. On pretty much every occasion it has been older drivers who have taken these actions - being given the w***er sign by an 80 year old being the highlight. I had my Mum in the car and she was amazed at the anger being directed at me for no reason.
So, anyone else?
Yes, it does happen. I'd an X5 for a while - so worst of both worlds - a BMW and a large 4x4, and yes there was some clear contempt from some other road users.?I've been driving fifteen years and have always had normal cars (and a TVR). Apart from the (few) times that I know I've been a dick, been wrong or simply made a mistake, I've never had many issues with other road users doing the following:
Giving me the finger, blocking me out of gaps, not letting me merge, speeding up when I overtake, getting upset with me if in a 50/50 situation as to who should go first I decide to make the move first, shaking their heads at me for no reason and worst of all, brake testing me!
I haven't altered my driving style at all, if anything I drive in a more considerate and more relaxed manner, mainly because the Discovery is such a lumbering bus. But I'm getting the impression that people really dislike large four-wheel-drives. In 2000 miles and three months I've been 'brake tested' three times and in all cases have been following at normal distances, normal enough that I haven't actually needed to brake myself, I've just had to cover the brake pedal. On pretty much every occasion it has been older drivers who have taken these actions - being given the w***er sign by an 80 year old being the highlight. I had my Mum in the car and she was amazed at the anger being directed at me for no reason.
So, anyone else?
Generally ok, but there was the odd cock. I remember a guy flashing the lights and giving me the w
ker sign just because i overtook him as he was doing 30 in a 60. And no, he didnt know me...Well, fair points regarding the following too close and the letting out of junctions bit. I do agree that they are enormous monstrosities and they really do hinder vision and awareness if you're stuck behind one. The following too close bit, I can only think that they appear closer than they are due to their size and probably fill the rear view mirror more than a car would at the same distance. I suppose there's only one way to find out and that's to keep a bigger gap.
Well, fair points regarding the following too close and the letting out of junctions bit. I do agree that they are enormous monstrosities and they really do hinder vision and awareness if you're stuck behind one. The following too close bit, I can only think that they appear closer than they are due to their size and probably fill the rear view mirror more than a car would at the same distance. I suppose there's only one way to find out and that's to keep a bigger gap.
It's not contempt it's utter dismay at some of the drivers of the larger variety vehicles, in regards to be completely unsure what is happening around them (those that have their heads tilted up looking over the steering wheel for example), speed awareness and sometimes generally bullying drivers around you.
There's are for the ones I see in London, cars too big for the roads, drivers not 100% comfortable with them, everyone else seems ok apart from the angry bald fat man in the RRS, which is surprisingly true.
There's are for the ones I see in London, cars too big for the roads, drivers not 100% comfortable with them, everyone else seems ok apart from the angry bald fat man in the RRS, which is surprisingly true.
OpulentBob said:
Meeting on country lanes, you're in a 4x4 so can climb the verge to get past? (Quite often out my way, the 4x4's will insist on keeping all 4 wheels on the tarmac, meaning the smaller car has to dive in to the verge at pinchpoints)
This is one of my bugbears- you bought an offroad vehicle, use it as such (or reverse back to the passing place/gateway you shot past about 50m back if you're worried about hidden ditches).i don't see the negatives, but then i do leave a little more room so i have more braking distance, especially in the wet.
i'm also more than happy to climb the kerbs / bank / verge etc get a thank you most of the time.
it's the chavs who get most stick round my way, gives me an excuse to be a knob to them when they have been a knob to others.
i'm also more than happy to climb the kerbs / bank / verge etc get a thank you most of the time.
it's the chavs who get most stick round my way, gives me an excuse to be a knob to them when they have been a knob to others
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