Passive agression
Discussion
Is it just me or are more peole being deliberately awkward on the roads. Not just driving at daft speeds to cause unnecessary delay either.
For example. On a road I use one lane splits into two for a traffic light junction (it "grows" a left lane) so naturally you arrive on the right but you could move over to the left. Naturally two queues appear at the lights. Just after the lights, the left lane merges back in.
People for whatever reason tend to choose to continue in the right lane, so by using the left lane one can often pass several cars and at the head of the lights, and reduce the length of the tailback into the bargain. There are other traffic lights down the road and moving up through the queue smartly like this will sometimes allow you to catch an earlier phase, saving time.
However, I've noticed that sometimes there's a dozen cars in the right, and just one in the left, so I come up behind him expecting him to get away smartly to avoid any zipping in issues a few hundred yards down the road. But no. When the lights change he hardly moves. All the other cars on the right start filing past, and closing up tight (like they do) meaning you're relegated back to where you started from or worse.
It's happened enough times now that I'm beginning to wonder if these people are deliberately making an awkward situation.
Has anyone else come across this before?
SM
For example. On a road I use one lane splits into two for a traffic light junction (it "grows" a left lane) so naturally you arrive on the right but you could move over to the left. Naturally two queues appear at the lights. Just after the lights, the left lane merges back in.
People for whatever reason tend to choose to continue in the right lane, so by using the left lane one can often pass several cars and at the head of the lights, and reduce the length of the tailback into the bargain. There are other traffic lights down the road and moving up through the queue smartly like this will sometimes allow you to catch an earlier phase, saving time.
However, I've noticed that sometimes there's a dozen cars in the right, and just one in the left, so I come up behind him expecting him to get away smartly to avoid any zipping in issues a few hundred yards down the road. But no. When the lights change he hardly moves. All the other cars on the right start filing past, and closing up tight (like they do) meaning you're relegated back to where you started from or worse.
It's happened enough times now that I'm beginning to wonder if these people are deliberately making an awkward situation.
Has anyone else come across this before?
SM
There is a very similar set of lights on the way into Basingstoke right in front of the hospital, single lane road grows into two lanes (both lanes marked straight on) for the set of lights, then back to one lane after the lights. I can only assume the road is setup like this to reduce the length of the tailbacks at the lights and to prevent them from blocking hospital access roads.
Anyway, it seems the vast majority of people will sit in the left hand lane and leave the right hand lane completly empty, I have no idea why they do this as the queue is obscene. Works well for me though as I just go in the right hand lane and shoot past about 30-40 cars!!
From time to time some muppet will do a go-slow pull away from the lights but I think its more likely they have got into the lane and then lack the balls to pull back into the traffic when the lights go green (or gun it from the lights to pull in ahead of the car adjacent to them)
What is funny however is on the odd occastion some cretin will try to block both lanes approaching the lights to stop people moving up to the lights in the empty lane, like its impolite to push past the queue!! Fair enough if we were queueing for a ride at Alton Towers, but there are two clearly marked lanes, why not use em both!!!
Anyway, it seems the vast majority of people will sit in the left hand lane and leave the right hand lane completly empty, I have no idea why they do this as the queue is obscene. Works well for me though as I just go in the right hand lane and shoot past about 30-40 cars!!
From time to time some muppet will do a go-slow pull away from the lights but I think its more likely they have got into the lane and then lack the balls to pull back into the traffic when the lights go green (or gun it from the lights to pull in ahead of the car adjacent to them)
What is funny however is on the odd occastion some cretin will try to block both lanes approaching the lights to stop people moving up to the lights in the empty lane, like its impolite to push past the queue!! Fair enough if we were queueing for a ride at Alton Towers, but there are two clearly marked lanes, why not use em both!!!
jacko lah said:
You just keep chosing the wrong lane.
I guess it could be seen like that, but generally speaking anyone with the ambition to get up the front would be a better bet of a faster take off. These people seem to be doing it deliberately to cause a situation.Unless I'm paranoid. You saying I'm paranoid? Hmmm?
SM
Lots of people drive in a way to make to difficult for others. But in London its every person for themselves if theres a gap and someone doesn't use it you should otherwise someone else will.
You still do get sheep mentality driving in london where you get certain lanes left completely empty for no reason or esp at weekends or after 7pm when bus lanes generally become fair game to all traffic. So many people can't seem to read the bus lane hours sign, but then get arsey with you when you use it to make progress past them.
You still do get sheep mentality driving in london where you get certain lanes left completely empty for no reason or esp at weekends or after 7pm when bus lanes generally become fair game to all traffic. So many people can't seem to read the bus lane hours sign, but then get arsey with you when you use it to make progress past them.
sjtscott said:
but then get arsey with you when you use it to make progress past them.
Well that's one problem that's existed for a long time, the gap closer. But this is someone actively attempting to control traffic and "punish" people who are making most efficient use of the road as designed. Sort of like they've become temporary trafpol, only without the necessary training or intelligence.SM
sjtscott said:
Lots of people drive in a way to make to difficult for others. But in London its every person for themselves if theres a gap and someone doesn't use it you should otherwise someone else will.
You still do get sheep mentality driving in london where you get certain lanes left completely empty for no reason or esp at weekends or after 7pm when bus lanes generally become fair game to all traffic. So many people can't seem to read the bus lane hours sign, but then get arsey with you when you use it to make progress past them.
Oh man, don't even get me started on that!You still do get sheep mentality driving in london where you get certain lanes left completely empty for no reason or esp at weekends or after 7pm when bus lanes generally become fair game to all traffic. So many people can't seem to read the bus lane hours sign, but then get arsey with you when you use it to make progress past them.
Why can people not read the signs with the hours of operation on them?
Good, it's not just me that notices every so often other motorists coming down with a major attack of "the awkwards", it might only be a combination of a dozen little things, a failure to shuffle up so someone can turn across a lane of traffic here, blocking a roundabout there, preventing a smooth merge, but over a journey it mounts up to a lot of wasted time and general stress.
I blame us trying to engineer the ultimate misanthropic, "hate-thy-neighbour" society. He's got a 4x4, don't let him out. She's in a convertible, make her wait. Blame the baby-boomers for it. It's all Generation X's fault. Why should I help you out when you're probably a terrorist or paedophile?
Argh!
I've had enough. More than enough. That's why I've started seriously retaliating whenever anyone comes over with a case of the "awkwards". That's right. As soon as they start putting the world to wrongs, I militantly let schoolchildren cross in front of me, make even more room than normal at merge points, and let trucks past gaps even when it's my "right of way".
Don't let the bastards win!
I blame us trying to engineer the ultimate misanthropic, "hate-thy-neighbour" society. He's got a 4x4, don't let him out. She's in a convertible, make her wait. Blame the baby-boomers for it. It's all Generation X's fault. Why should I help you out when you're probably a terrorist or paedophile?
Argh!
I've had enough. More than enough. That's why I've started seriously retaliating whenever anyone comes over with a case of the "awkwards". That's right. As soon as they start putting the world to wrongs, I militantly let schoolchildren cross in front of me, make even more room than normal at merge points, and let trucks past gaps even when it's my "right of way".
Don't let the bastards win!
Edited by Timberwolf on Tuesday 12th June 14:41
mouseymousey said:
Why can people not read the signs with the hours of operation on them?
I love these people who leave the bus lane empty for me when they're not in use! Its one of those moments thats extremely satisfying - someone dawdling along beside or deliberately closing the gap thinking you'll be stuck in the bus lane and have to pull in behind them. The look you get when you then drive along beside them!How annoyed I get with queues and queue jumpers varies on the situation. There's a bit I travel with 2 lanes that go straight on and merge, but just before the merge a 3rd lane appears as a slip road to the left. Most folk queue in the left to go straight on, then get quite aggressive to block you using the right lane. Then you get the muppets who race down the right hand lane and swerve across 2 lines of traffic to get into the left hand slip road. Or on occasion, someone uses the right hand lane, but not being happy with just gaining 5 or 6 cars length they continue to shove past people up to and sometimes after the chevrons for the merge even when there's gap they could have pulled into safely. That last one is the most common, and actually seems to be middle aged women the majority of time!
Timberwolf said:
"hate-thy-neighbour" society. He's got a 4x4, don't let him out.
But there are some mitigations though...my next door neighbour who between him and his missus owns an X5, a Jeep and a 997 C4 Cab. Well he now seems to own two brand new Rangerover Sports as well.Noone should ever let him out.
Bert
And he wears his baseball cap on back to front!
I think it's just that there are some mealy-mouths who simply don't want someone else to benefit in any way. They have probably failed in life and the only way they can exert some control is on the road. I feel sorry for any staff such people might manage if they happen to be an office manager.
BertBert said:
my next door neighbour who between him and his missus owns an X5, a Jeep and a 997 C4 Cab. Well he now seems to own two brand new Rangerover Sports as well.
Noone should ever let him out.
Bert
And he wears his baseball cap on back to front!
Don't live next door to THIS GUY do you?Noone should ever let him out.
Bert
And he wears his baseball cap on back to front!
daveenty said:
BertBert said:
my next door neighbour who between him and his missus owns an X5, a Jeep and a 997 C4 Cab. Well he now seems to own two brand new Rangerover Sports as well.
Noone should ever let him out.
Bert
And he wears his baseball cap on back to front!
Don't live next door to THIS GUY do you?Noone should ever let him out.
Bert
And he wears his baseball cap on back to front!
See people being aarses every day. Deliberate wind up merchants that do their best to annoy other drivers, particularly on motorways. Having watched some of their behaviour from a distance, they do it to everyone, so it's no wonder we get road rage and people taking risks to pass these idiots.
Maybe we do need a psychology test for drivers already on the road now.
Maybe we do need a psychology test for drivers already on the road now.
daveenty said:
BertBert said:
my next door neighbour who between him and his missus owns an X5, a Jeep and a 997 C4 Cab. Well he now seems to own two brand new Rangerover Sports as well.
Noone should ever let him out.
Bert
And he wears his baseball cap on back to front!
Don't live next door to THIS GUY do you?Noone should ever let him out.
Bert
And he wears his baseball cap on back to front!
StreakyThe latest trick here (south Germany on swiss border) by the swiss numpties is when at a junction or a turn-off where there is room for two cars they deliberately pull the car wide to block (2 lanes) anyone passing on the inside before they turn...
AAAAARRRRGGGGGHHHHHH selfish bastards!!!
OR they stop at the end of the autobahn sliplane going ONTO the autobahn, because they're afraid.... Should ALL be shot!!!!
AAAAARRRRGGGGGHHHHHH selfish bastards!!!
OR they stop at the end of the autobahn sliplane going ONTO the autobahn, because they're afraid.... Should ALL be shot!!!!
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