4x4 Drivers: Are you met with contempt on the road?

[simonej]

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?

[simonej]

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.

[simonej]

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.

[simonej]

Fizpop said:

Mr2Mike said:

simonej said:

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.

If you didn't even have to brake then it doesn't sound like they were brake testing you.

Are you certain you aren't driving too close? Being high up makes it look like there is more distance between you and the vehicle in front compared to driving a regular car (i.e. you get to see more road between you), and I have noticed that SUVs do tend to drive closer than they perhaps realise.

If one person brake tests you, it could well be them. If three people brake test you it's probably you.

I tried the 'only a fool breaks the two second rule' thing whilst driving yesterday and generally I was finishing the word 'second' - so, no, it's not a full two second gap but I was driving significantly further away than most other road users.

Ah well, I'll see how I get on with it over the next few months. I absolutely love the car and have no intention of changing it, although I'll consider altering my driving style if things continue.