BMW driver stereotype well and truly dead

[bigbob77]

My commute involves crawling through standstill motorway traffic and having to change lane 6 times in a couple of miles.

When I signal to move over, I'd say about 80% of BMW drivers ease off to let me in. Ford & VW drivers are nearly as good.

Audi drivers also aren't nearly as bad as I would have thought - definitely more than half make an effort to let me move in front of them.

The worst are larger Vauxhalls. I can't remember a single Insignia that hasn't sped up to block my manoeuvre as soon as I signal.

Some people still hang on to the old BMW driver stereotypes, but I really don't think it's true any more.



Edited to add - I drive a grey Passat diesel estate... So to be fair I probably don't inspire competitiveness in other drivers

Edited by bigbob77 on Thursday 28th April 09:40

[bigbob77]

Podie said:

that and the Mummies in people carriers / Chelsea tractors.

I find them oblivious rather than aggressive. Apparently sitting 20 feet off the ground doesn't give them enough visibility to not steer into me.

[bigbob77]

Monty Python said:

I don't mind letting people out, as long as they indicate first and wait for me to flash them. Unfortunately these people seem to be diminishing rapidly, replaced by the "I'm going to pull out without indicating and it's up to you to make space for me" or the "indicate and pull out immediately" brigade.

My take on it is I don't have any more right to the road than they do, so there's always enough space in front of me for someone to pull in - I don't need to give them "permission". As long as they don't try to occupy the same space-time as me, which happens far too often

[bigbob77]

Mafffew said:

bigbob77 said:

Podie said:

that and the Mummies in people carriers / Chelsea tractors.

I find them oblivious rather than aggressive. Apparently sitting 20 feet off the ground doesn't give them enough visibility to not steer into me.

You will find it's when Dad gets the big car, that's when they become aggressive. Angry dad/husband syndrome, his wife made him buy a st car rather than that nice sports car he fancied. Now she's off maxing the credit cards and shagging the gardener/yoga instructor/whoever, while he's stuck in traffic on the M25 trying to get to another meeting.

Then suddenly someone indicates and wants to move in front of him, can't let the people see you're a weak man Dave. Can't let them know, you must block them and show you're not a small man.

Why is this so easy to believe?

[bigbob77]

Quhet said:

Why are you having to change lanes so much?

Just the place I join and where I need to get off. 6 is the minimal number of lane changes unfortunately... The first motorway merges with another one (5 lanes), then I need to get into lane 5 because lane 1 and 2 are an exit and lane 3 and 4 exit after a couple of miles... Then a new lane opens up to the left and I need to cross it to get to the exit.... Complete PITA some days!

[bigbob77]

Podie said:

(I was sat at 40, in a 40 limit)

YOU MONSTER

[bigbob77]

SpeckledJim said:

when did anyone ever see anyone climb out of a Vectra and think "he looks like a nice guy, I'd like to go for a beer with him"

Never. That's when.

No, sorry but that's just not right.






... It's called an Insignia now

Edited by bigbob77 on Thursday 28th April 16:49

[bigbob77]

danrst171 said:

All cars managed to negotiate this with either a right or left indicator except the car in front. A BMW.

That's the surprising part.

Hardly anyone indicates properly at roundabouts no matter what car they're driving.

[bigbob77]

yonex said:

People who stereotype are a bit dim.

All of them?

Isn't that a bit of a... stereotype? In this case a self-fulfilling one so you're right

[bigbob77]

silent ninja said:

I find most hatchback drivers are aggressive, tailgate, overtake and so on. VW golf, Vauxhall Corsa, Renaults are common culprits. These are younger drivers and usually crazy women with no sense of the world around them. Gold GTDs in particular, I find always trying to show off their power against bigger cars. Small man syndrome?

SUVs are also quite inconsiderate in general. I can't remember the last time when one flashed me out, gave me way or anything of the kind. They just behave like they own the road and I hate how their headlights shine directly in to my mirrors when they tailgate me.

All others are a mixture. German cars being driven aggressively - especially the 2 litre diesels - are a very common sight on my 120 mile daily commute. They think they're in a performance machine I guess? I mean, why the hell do people try to under/overtake on roundabouts and junctions? It's really not necessary and often dangerous. Stay in the right lane, if you're in the wrong one then slow down, signal and get in behind; worse case take the wrong bloody exit and U turn like everyone else rather than cause crash.

The thing I hate most on the roads? Probably pedestrians. The culture now seems to be that pedestrians walk on the road without looking and EXPECT the driver to anticipate and accommodate them. I will continue to horn and scare the st out of them. Why the hell are you in the middle of the road where there isn't a pedestrian crossing in sight? Pedestrians don't have right of way and I really hate this culture.

But apart from hatchback drivers, SUV drivers, diesel drivers, German cars, young drivers, female drivers and pedestrians... Is everyone else OK with you?