Idiotic car driver.
Discussion
Hello everyone, this is pretty much my 1st post
Such a shame i have to start off with a rant about car drivers. It just ticked me off how after nearly knocking me off he has the nerve to get out of his car come up to me saying if he didn't have his kids with him he'd kill me..
Right, what happened was:
Driving through the middle of a town centre he starts getting right up my back end (me being on a restriced to 30mph scooter) so i moved over to let him pass, even though we're in the middle of a town centre were every 100 odd yard there's a zebra crossing.
He finnaly decides to over take me, he picked just the right spot, on hashed white lines leading up to a traffic island, which couldn't of been more than 30 yards away, not only that but with a car coming towards him aswel, as he goes past he nearly hits the both of them... then nearly slams in to me as he tries to avoid them.
How can you do that, then say it was my fault he nearly crashed....
I was also wondering if it was my fault? asi am fairly new to driving (6 months now) i'm not too sure.
Thanks, Austin.
Such a shame i have to start off with a rant about car drivers. It just ticked me off how after nearly knocking me off he has the nerve to get out of his car come up to me saying if he didn't have his kids with him he'd kill me..
Right, what happened was:
Driving through the middle of a town centre he starts getting right up my back end (me being on a restriced to 30mph scooter) so i moved over to let him pass, even though we're in the middle of a town centre were every 100 odd yard there's a zebra crossing.
He finnaly decides to over take me, he picked just the right spot, on hashed white lines leading up to a traffic island, which couldn't of been more than 30 yards away, not only that but with a car coming towards him aswel, as he goes past he nearly hits the both of them... then nearly slams in to me as he tries to avoid them.
How can you do that, then say it was my fault he nearly crashed....
I was also wondering if it was my fault? asi am fairly new to driving (6 months now) i'm not too sure.
Thanks, Austin.
Edited by Austin.J on Sunday 13th April 17:38
From what you've told us then, I can't see how he can possibly try to pin it on you. All you have done is move over to give someone who clearly doesn't understand "safe driving distance" room to overtake and have an accident as far away from you as possible. The decision to overtake (in what seems to have been an awful place to do so) was entirely his - you haven't signalled to him that it's safe to do so.
Put it down to experience - you have done the right thing. Rise above it and unfortunately accept that there are plenty of idiots on the road - you have to drive for them as well as yourself and that is what makes anyone a good driver/rider. He'll go and have an accident all of his own one day - just make sure you're not part of it.
Often when people make mistakes, they cannot accept it's their fault and want to blame the other people concerned. It seems to happen more on the road, but it's the way of society nowadays - no-one takes responsibilities for their own actions.
I remember years ago, someone at a junction was right up the bumper of a learner in front and I thought "hmm, if that learner stalls, I bet he'll go into the back of the learner when he tries to pull away". Well, sure as broken eggs make omelettes, that's what happened. Didn't stop the driver beeping his horn and trying to blame it on the learner for stalling!
Just to say; if you had moved over clearly for me like that and I had chosen to make a *safe* overtake, I would have given you a friendly "thank you" wave.
Put it down to experience - you have done the right thing. Rise above it and unfortunately accept that there are plenty of idiots on the road - you have to drive for them as well as yourself and that is what makes anyone a good driver/rider. He'll go and have an accident all of his own one day - just make sure you're not part of it.
Often when people make mistakes, they cannot accept it's their fault and want to blame the other people concerned. It seems to happen more on the road, but it's the way of society nowadays - no-one takes responsibilities for their own actions.
I remember years ago, someone at a junction was right up the bumper of a learner in front and I thought "hmm, if that learner stalls, I bet he'll go into the back of the learner when he tries to pull away". Well, sure as broken eggs make omelettes, that's what happened. Didn't stop the driver beeping his horn and trying to blame it on the learner for stalling!
Just to say; if you had moved over clearly for me like that and I had chosen to make a *safe* overtake, I would have given you a friendly "thank you" wave.
Austin.J said:
Driving through the middle of a town centre he starts getting right up my back end (me being on a restriced to 30mph scooter) so i moved over to let him pass, even though we're in the middle of a town centre were every 100 odd yard there's a zebra crossing.
So, not only was he driving like a muppet, but he wanted to overtake someone restricted to the speed limit in a (presumably) built up town centre!It beggars belief!
S
Mate, you'll find this happens sometimes. Seeing as you were on a 50cc and not a full blown sportsbike with all the menacing gear, he probably thought you were an easy target to try and deflect his embarrassing error of judgement on. Don't worry about it mate, sounds like he was the idiot.
Cheers.
Cheers.
yup sounds like he was a prat, all id say is dont move over to 'tempt' them past in places this sort of thing can happen. stay out approaching the island & then move in when the road is wide/clear enough for him to get around without nearly killing you.
the amount of prats on the road means you have to think for them as well as the vast majority cant (or wont) think for themselves.
the amount of prats on the road means you have to think for them as well as the vast majority cant (or wont) think for themselves.
What a stupid prick, when I borrowed the 125 from bike school I found car drivers would hustle me out of the way and cut across me at roundabouts, I used to get so pissed off.
Stand your ground, keep your road position. Yes its scary but you have as much right to be there. He should only overtake when its safe and appropriate to do so.
Chin up
Stand your ground, keep your road position. Yes its scary but you have as much right to be there. He should only overtake when its safe and appropriate to do so.
Chin up
Rach81 said:
Stand your ground, keep your road position.
I agree. When I was 16 and riding an FS1E I learned to take command of my road space. If you act all humble with some car drivers when you are on a small cc bike you just get shafted. Don't get aggressive just hold your road space and let them get on with it. Ride safe and don't get bullied by w**kers.Sounds like you where being respectful giving him some space and he flunked it.
Remember as well in a "confrontation" situation where you cannot get away from someone, you are the one wearing the protective gear.
An ECE22-05 safety helmet not only does a reasonable job of absorbing the impact of blows to the head, but the hard outer shell tends to hurt the fist of anyone trying to strike you.
It is also useful for "defending" yourself, and I remember when one was used to good effect both in the classic "Glasgow Kiss" whilst still being worn and again as a hand-held cudgel where the offending car driver was soundly thrashed about the head with it...
Allegedly...
Although when I think about it, I seem to remember it was actually a British Standard helmet, not an ece, so it was probably much better suited for the job...
An ECE22-05 safety helmet not only does a reasonable job of absorbing the impact of blows to the head, but the hard outer shell tends to hurt the fist of anyone trying to strike you.
It is also useful for "defending" yourself, and I remember when one was used to good effect both in the classic "Glasgow Kiss" whilst still being worn and again as a hand-held cudgel where the offending car driver was soundly thrashed about the head with it...
Allegedly...
Although when I think about it, I seem to remember it was actually a British Standard helmet, not an ece, so it was probably much better suited for the job...
I also have a twist and go, 125cc but car drivers can't tell. When I'm doing 30mph (in a 30mph limit) car drivers always come up close behind me. Oddly enough, they don't do this if I'm on a 'proper' bike.
The key is to command the road, don't ride in the gutter as it'll allow them the room to try to squeeze past if they think they can get away with it (often pushing you right into the curb and forcing oncoming vehicles to move to their curb too).
What equipment were you wearing? I've had a few 'confrontations' in my six and a half years of riding and whilst 99% of car drivers are happy to shout, blow their horns and give me the finger when actually presented with a pissed-off tall chap in a full armoured bikers suit, boots, gloves and helmet they run like girls.
The key is to command the road, don't ride in the gutter as it'll allow them the room to try to squeeze past if they think they can get away with it (often pushing you right into the curb and forcing oncoming vehicles to move to their curb too).
What equipment were you wearing? I've had a few 'confrontations' in my six and a half years of riding and whilst 99% of car drivers are happy to shout, blow their horns and give me the finger when actually presented with a pissed-off tall chap in a full armoured bikers suit, boots, gloves and helmet they run like girls.
One more time to be sure: “The key is to command the road, don't ride in the gutter”. You have every right to be there.
If you are going to pull over to let someone pass. It’s best to do their thinking for them and work out if it’s safe for them to pass you. (Safer for you too). However as you are still gaining experience put your need first.
If you are going to pull over to let someone pass. It’s best to do their thinking for them and work out if it’s safe for them to pass you. (Safer for you too). However as you are still gaining experience put your need first.
Like has been mentioned above, you did not do anything to deserve the abuse and he was a grade A prick 
, and again as above just keep your road position and control their opportunity.
The funniest is the people who overtake you in town then are surprised when you pass then as they sit at 45 in the national speed limit zone. 
:
, and again as above just keep your road position and control their opportunity.Rach81 said:
I've been tailgated a few times already on the 600, I think they expect you to go haring everywhere, I do like having a little play when we reach the national speed limit signs though 
Yeah that has happened to me too, I think they expect me to speed through town and are surprised that I am happy to stick to 30 in the town center. The funniest is the people who overtake you in town then are surprised when you pass then as they sit at 45 in the national speed limit zone. :MKH9130 said:
The key is to command the road, don't ride in the gutter as it'll allow them the room to try to squeeze past if they think they can get away with it (often pushing you right into the curb and forcing oncoming vehicles to move to their curb too).
Spot on. This WASN'T the OP's fault but probably could have avoided it happening by staying in middle of lane rather than against kerb - especially in town - and riding at the top of speed limit if safe to do so. I'm a returnee biker but mainly a car driver and a scooter scuffing along the gutter slightly slower than the general flow of traffic in town CAN leave what LOOKS like a tempting gap to a car driver (not making excuses for drivers here just accepting the realities of life). Keep your speed up and use the all road - your entitled to after all. Edited by Pugsey on Tuesday 15th April 11:01
Edited by Pugsey on Tuesday 15th April 11:02
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