RE: Tailgaters Cause Most Temper Tantrums
Monday 21st September 2009
Today, apparently, is Road Respect Day. It's a campaign that's been launched by the RAC, which reckons that we are a nation of rude and disrespectful drivers (or everyone else is, at least).
Tailgaters Cause Most Temper Tantrums
RAC survey reveals what annoys UK drivers most on the road
Research by the RAC has revealed that, as a result, a third of the nation's motorists get angry behind the wheel at least three times a week. The top five irritations for the motoring public were:
1. Motorists driving too close behind (72 per cent)
2. Motorists on the phone while driving (68 per cent)
3. Being cut up by other motorists (68 per cent)
4. Not indicating (65 per cent)
5. Not saying thank you for giving way (48 per cent)
Unsurprisingly speeding drivers annoyed people less than dawdlers - a significant 45 per cent of drivers say they hate it when other road users tootle along significantly below the speed limit.
The big question, however, is exactly who is driving disrespectfully - 85 per cent of those surveyed say they are frustrated by the misdemeanours of others, but 70 per cent consider themselves to be a courteous driver most of the time, with a further 20 per cent claiming to drive with impeccable courtesy at all times.
All of which means, theoretically, that 10 per cent of motorists are committing 100 per cent of road rudeness, annoying 85 per cent of people. Then again, statistics can be used to prove more or less anything - and 79 per cent of people know that.
Discussion
Tailgaters in my experience generally turn out to be truck drivers, taxi drivers, or women drivers. I'm not being sexist (about the women drivers comment).
My Mrs would say exactly the same and she tanks up and down the motorway on A/B roads, 140miles, everyday to work and back. She whinges like hell about women drivers sitting that close to the rear of her car they could read a small print novel!
I'm not trying to start a sex war, and if you're a woman driver....chill out before you flame me, but does anyone else agree??
My Mrs would say exactly the same and she tanks up and down the motorway on A/B roads, 140miles, everyday to work and back. She whinges like hell about women drivers sitting that close to the rear of her car they could read a small print novel!
I'm not trying to start a sex war, and if you're a woman driver....chill out before you flame me, but does anyone else agree??
I never mind if people want to drive faster than me. Power to them, I'll get out of their way. It's the idiots that dawdle along and then put their foot down when you try to overtake- making the manoeuvre dangerous. Also the people who have no idea you are behind them, then get upset when you come past, flash lights gestulate etc. Then there are the fools that want to overtake someone else, pass up several good and safe opportunities, then just get bored and go for it over a blind summit or down a short straight into a corner.
I think that overtaking on single track roads really has become a lost art.
I think that overtaking on single track roads really has become a lost art.
kevin ritson said:
I have to say I've rarely been irritated by a tailgater - I'll just get out of their way. Does make me wonder if those polled have any idea of lane discipline or general awareness?
How do you get out of their way on a main road or single lane carriageway? It's not applying purely to motorways, and it happens to me a hell of a lot in normal town limits. It can be very annoying, particularly if you're at the speed limit and aware of the current speed and conditions. It is more down to the tailgater's complete lack of patience and road safety, than the awareness of the person being tailgated. (This is unles they are one of the people included in the poll who drives far too slowly for the indicated speed, obviously).I find the best tonic is to laugh these things off, assuming that most people are not even thinking about their driving.
My favourite, after not indicating of course, is the compulsive use of fog lights. You can have visibility of over 3 miles, with a little haze, and some people just cannot wait to get those lights on; slowly burning my retina.
My favourite, after not indicating of course, is the compulsive use of fog lights. You can have visibility of over 3 miles, with a little haze, and some people just cannot wait to get those lights on; slowly burning my retina.
I'm surprised middle lane hoggers don't feature on that list and unfortunately I don't think it's just a coincidence the topic picture is a classic case in point, it's just a typical random shot. I wish those information boards that advise the fairly obvious "don't drink & drive" or "wear your seat belt" would display something to remind drivers to pull in to the left lane whenever appropriate. I'd swear a good proportion of them don't even know it's part of the highway code!! 
I'm also surprised not indicating is on there as surely it's far too much to expect drivers to move their finger two inches from the steering wheel, move the stalk half an inch and then go all the way back to the wheel again. Especially given the chances of a motorcycle being in their blind spot is so remote anyway...
I'm also surprised not indicating is on there as surely it's far too much to expect drivers to move their finger two inches from the steering wheel, move the stalk half an inch and then go all the way back to the wheel again. Especially given the chances of a motorcycle being in their blind spot is so remote anyway...
Edited by VeeFource on Monday 21st September 13:04
CypherP said:
kevin ritson said:
I have to say I've rarely been irritated by a tailgater - I'll just get out of their way. Does make me wonder if those polled have any idea of lane discipline or general awareness?
How do you get out of their way on a main road or single lane carriageway? It's not applying purely to motorways, and it happens to me a hell of a lot in normal town limits. It can be very annoying, particularly if you're at the speed limit and aware of the current speed and conditions. It is more down to the tailgater's complete lack of patience and road safety, than the awareness of the person being tailgated. (This is unles they are one of the people included in the poll who drives far too slowly for the indicated speed, obviously).CypherP said:
kevin ritson said:
I have to say I've rarely been irritated by a tailgater - I'll just get out of their way. Does make me wonder if those polled have any idea of lane discipline or general awareness?
How do you get out of their way on a main road or single lane carriageway? It's not applying purely to motorways, and it happens to me a hell of a lot in normal town limits. It can be very annoying, particularly if you're at the speed limit and aware of the current speed and conditions. It is more down to the tailgater's complete lack of patience and road safety, than the awareness of the person being tailgated. (This is unles they are one of the people included in the poll who drives far too slowly for the indicated speed, obviously).I'd love one of those messaging boards but the wording is not clear nor big enough - tailgater would probably get closer in order to read it!
Mine would say 'GET OFF MY ARSE!!' (just spelling out what I am actually shouting, literally).
I had one woman follow me for 2 miles or more - the worst kind (not women!) who get up close, then fall back (sometimes quite a distance) then you look in the mirror and they are back on 'your tail' again. This instance with this woman was odd. I kept hitting the brake lights with no effect on her. I really thought at one point as I saw her glazed stare in my mirror that she would hit my rear! As we approached a roundabout I got in the outside lane and she went to the inside. I glared and gave a few words and I swear she was as high as a kite! Thought then, you never know who is behind you!!
CypherP said:
kevin ritson said:
I have to say I've rarely been irritated by a tailgater - I'll just get out of their way. Does make me wonder if those polled have any idea of lane discipline or general awareness?
How do you get out of their way on a main road or single lane carriageway? It's not applying purely to motorways, and it happens to me a hell of a lot in normal town limits. It can be very annoying, particularly if you're at the speed limit and aware of the current speed and conditions. It is more down to the tailgater's complete lack of patience and road safety, than the awareness of the person being tailgated. (This is unles they are one of the people included in the poll who drives far too slowly for the indicated speed, obviously).
CypherP said:
kevin ritson said:
I have to say I've rarely been irritated by a tailgater - I'll just get out of their way. Does make me wonder if those polled have any idea of lane discipline or general awareness?
How do you get out of their way on a main road or single lane carriageway? It's not applying purely to motorways, and it happens to me a hell of a lot in normal town limits. It can be very annoying, particularly if you're at the speed limit and aware of the current speed and conditions. It is more down to the tailgater's complete lack of patience and road safety, than the awareness of the person being tailgated. (This is unles they are one of the people included in the poll who drives far too slowly for the indicated speed, obviously).VeeFource said:
I'm surprised middle lane hoggers don't feature on that list! I wish those information boards that advise the fairly obvious "don't drink & drive" or "wear your seat belt" would display something to remind drivers to pull in to the left lane whenever appropriate. I'd swear a good proportion of them don't even know it's part of the highway code!!
I'm also surprised not indicating is on there as surely it's far too much to expect drivers to move their finger two inches from the steering wheel, move the stalk half an inch and then go all the way back to the wheel again. Especially given the chances of a motorcycle being in their blind spot is so remote anyway...
They do on the M42 and M5. They say "Don't Hog the middle lane" But I wish they would say "DON'T HOG THE MIDDLE LANE YOU FI'm also surprised not indicating is on there as surely it's far too much to expect drivers to move their finger two inches from the steering wheel, move the stalk half an inch and then go all the way back to the wheel again. Especially given the chances of a motorcycle being in their blind spot is so remote anyway...
ING RETARDS!" Just to emphasise it a little more.CypherP said:
kevin ritson said:
I have to say I've rarely been irritated by a tailgater - I'll just get out of their way. Does make me wonder if those polled have any idea of lane discipline or general awareness?
How do you get out of their way on a main road or single lane carriageway? It's not applying purely to motorways, and it happens to me a hell of a lot in normal town limits. It can be very annoying, particularly if you're at the speed limit and aware of the current speed and conditions. It is more down to the tailgater's complete lack of patience and road safety, than the awareness of the person being tailgated. (This is unles they are one of the people included in the poll who drives far too slowly for the indicated speed, obviously).E21_Ross said:
CypherP said:
kevin ritson said:
I have to say I've rarely been irritated by a tailgater - I'll just get out of their way. Does make me wonder if those polled have any idea of lane discipline or general awareness?
How do you get out of their way on a main road or single lane carriageway? It's not applying purely to motorways, and it happens to me a hell of a lot in normal town limits. It can be very annoying, particularly if you're at the speed limit and aware of the current speed and conditions. It is more down to the tailgater's complete lack of patience and road safety, than the awareness of the person being tailgated. (This is unles they are one of the people included in the poll who drives far too slowly for the indicated speed, obviously).Edited by kevin ritson on Monday 21st September 13:05
JumpinJack said:
VeeFource said:
I'm surprised middle lane hoggers don't feature on that list! I wish those information boards that advise the fairly obvious "don't drink & drive" or "wear your seat belt" would display something to remind drivers to pull in to the left lane whenever appropriate. I'd swear a good proportion of them don't even know it's part of the highway code!!
I'm also surprised not indicating is on there as surely it's far too much to expect drivers to move their finger two inches from the steering wheel, move the stalk half an inch and then go all the way back to the wheel again. Especially given the chances of a motorcycle being in their blind spot is so remote anyway...
They do on the M42 and M5. They say "Don't Hog the middle lane" But I wish they would say "DON'T HOG THE MIDDLE LANE YOU FI'm also surprised not indicating is on there as surely it's far too much to expect drivers to move their finger two inches from the steering wheel, move the stalk half an inch and then go all the way back to the wheel again. Especially given the chances of a motorcycle being in their blind spot is so remote anyway...
ING RETARDS!" Just to emphasise it a little more.Gassing Station | Motoring News | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff