Discussion
Well done OP for not seeing red like many drivers on the road (on a bad day, I'd even include myself in that) and acting immaturely. You did the right thing and the MINI driver may have come to his senses on the way home after "showing you up" and realised what he did, and where he ended up gesturing at you. For all he knows, you may have been a Police officer on the way to clock in for your shift.
My way of dealing with road ragers is to just let them get on with their supremely important journey, even if it means I have to sit behind a truck for a few minutes or pull off at a junction and rejoin at the slip road. I value my sanity, my car's bodywork and in some cases physical injury much more than a couple of extra minutes on the road; and after a few minutes you tend to forget about the idiot and carry on with your journey. My commute tends not to lead to road rage, but on the odd occasion where I've come across it, forgetting about it and carrying on with my journey has nearly always led to a restore-faith-in-humanity moment, i.e. when a car moves over from the middle lane when I'm coming up on a slower vehicle in the inside lane, and my thank you is met with a warm you're welcome.
My way of dealing with road ragers is to just let them get on with their supremely important journey, even if it means I have to sit behind a truck for a few minutes or pull off at a junction and rejoin at the slip road. I value my sanity, my car's bodywork and in some cases physical injury much more than a couple of extra minutes on the road; and after a few minutes you tend to forget about the idiot and carry on with your journey. My commute tends not to lead to road rage, but on the odd occasion where I've come across it, forgetting about it and carrying on with my journey has nearly always led to a restore-faith-in-humanity moment, i.e. when a car moves over from the middle lane when I'm coming up on a slower vehicle in the inside lane, and my thank you is met with a warm you're welcome.
Kaizer said:
Bet you won't say that, if some driver made a mistake and kill a friend/family of yours!
If the driver of the mini had been properly anticipating the situation - ie had noted the OP slowing to let the 75 past and then indicating - he would have simply moved to lane three and passed the OP with no fuss.
As described, it's a common occurrence on motorways. If one decides to make progress, then the onus is on you to anticipate potential hazards and ensure you have an exit strategy. The OP concedes he made a mistake, but it was not one that put the mini driver at any risk, IMHO.
I've had three road rages that have culminated in me and the other driver stopping to exchange words.
One we stopped at red lights side by side and it happened through open windows.
One where I stopped and the other guy got out, came steaming over and opened my door.
And one where I stopped in a petrol station and the other guy came in behind and got out.
I kid you not, but on all three occasions, there was firstly banter about the incident, with me pointing out that if the situation was 180 degrees the other way, that I bet the other party would have reacted the same way as I did - come on, you know you would have mate!!!!
Each time they thought about what I said, then sheepishly admitted that yes, they would have done the same thing.
Then I pointed out the ridiculous nature of the 'over-reaction' and how silly this all looked? And look, I'm sorry you're upset - but look at yourself, it really doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things, and that you're perhaps acting like a tit?
And on all three occasions, they've ended up breaking into a smile, saying sorry back, and things like 'Hmmm, I actually have made myself look like a complete idiot, haven't I?' To which I've replied 'mate, don't sweat it, we're all just human.'
And we've shaken hands with a smile, and continued on our way feeling a bit small and t
ttish!
Somehow - the security of our metal cages 'de-humanises' everyone else in other cars - but things seem to change once we're out of our cars and back in a social setting face to face.
Wierd.
One we stopped at red lights side by side and it happened through open windows.
One where I stopped and the other guy got out, came steaming over and opened my door.
And one where I stopped in a petrol station and the other guy came in behind and got out.
I kid you not, but on all three occasions, there was firstly banter about the incident, with me pointing out that if the situation was 180 degrees the other way, that I bet the other party would have reacted the same way as I did - come on, you know you would have mate!!!!
Each time they thought about what I said, then sheepishly admitted that yes, they would have done the same thing.
Then I pointed out the ridiculous nature of the 'over-reaction' and how silly this all looked? And look, I'm sorry you're upset - but look at yourself, it really doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things, and that you're perhaps acting like a tit?
And on all three occasions, they've ended up breaking into a smile, saying sorry back, and things like 'Hmmm, I actually have made myself look like a complete idiot, haven't I?' To which I've replied 'mate, don't sweat it, we're all just human.'
And we've shaken hands with a smile, and continued on our way feeling a bit small and t
ttish!Somehow - the security of our metal cages 'de-humanises' everyone else in other cars - but things seem to change once we're out of our cars and back in a social setting face to face.
Wierd.
[quote=Dr Doofenshmirtz]I'm surprised you allowed yourself to be intimidated by a Man driving a MINI?
especially a clubman! why do they exist? seriously someone please explain the appeal of them to me!
OP - fair play you apologised but you need to check your mirrors better. I certainly would have been annoyed, however death threats are unacceptable and its impossible to justify mini man's reaction.
especially a clubman! why do they exist? seriously someone please explain the appeal of them to me!
OP - fair play you apologised but you need to check your mirrors better. I certainly would have been annoyed, however death threats are unacceptable and its impossible to justify mini man's reaction.
Ignore the comments of you being slightly un-manly OP. Some people keep weapons in the car so you won't know what will happen to you if you stopped to confront him. I would drive to the nearest police station too in this case but would just walk right in and report him there and then. Most police stations have CCTV that should capture his car following you in.
TTwiggy said:
If the driver of the mini had been properly anticipating the situation - ie had noted the OP slowing to let the 75 past and then indicating - he would have simply moved to lane three and passed the OP with no fuss.
As described, it's a common occurrence on motorways. If one decides to make progress, then the onus is on you to anticipate potential hazards and ensure you have an exit strategy. The OP concedes he made a mistake, but it was not one that put the mini driver at any risk, IMHO.
Unfortunately, too many people use the M9 as their personal racetrack
Wafflesmk2 said:
Someone can st on my car and set it on fire if they want, as long as they put their hand up and apologise, i dont really care what they've done. Everyone makes mistakes.
Its the assclowns (often the elderly/arrogant) who nearly cause the crash and act like nothing happened.
This, except for people who give me 5 second bursts of full beam for overtaking them. t on my car and set it on fire if they want, as long as they put their hand up and apologise, i dont really care what they've done. Everyone makes mistakes.Its the assclowns (often the elderly/arrogant) who nearly cause the crash and act like nothing happened.
Makes me want to pull them over and bite their
ing heads off.Everytime.
TTwiggy said:
If the driver of the mini had been properly anticipating the situation - ie had noted the OP slowing to let the 75 past and then indicating - he would have simply moved to lane three and passed the OP with no fuss.
Edit - woops beaten to it.
Noticed a lot more passive aggressive driving in M9 lately. Often women - and often heading to the same works carpark as me. I can now predict which cars will be stuck out in L2 before making a last minute dive between the L1 traffic to make the Stirling slip road.
Edited by Spitfire2 on Wednesday 21st March 22:57
Spitfire2 said:
TTwiggy said:
If the driver of the mini had been properly anticipating the situation - ie had noted the OP slowing to let the 75 past and then indicating - he would have simply moved to lane three and passed the OP with no fuss.
Edit - woops beaten to it.
Noticed a lot more passive aggressive driving in M9 lately. Often women - and often heading to the same works carpark as me. I can now predict which cars will be stuck out in L2 before making a last minute dive between the L1 traffic to make the Stirling slip road.
Edited by Spitfire2 on Wednesday 21st March 22:57
FRA53R said:
.......we park up at the station. I get out to talk he just puts down the window, many expletives later and a suggested trip to the optitians he buggers of leaving me a little shaken.
I think that you took the correct action. Parking outside the Police Station was sensible.Some of us are either not in any shape or were never any good at fighting.
What made me laugh was the BIG man in the Mini didnt even get out.
One or two on here have questioned your manhood but you still got out of the car and prepared for the confrontation.
Mini man bottled it
Was following my mom once after picking up her car from the garage. As we approached a junction on the brow of a hill the car in front of my mom suddenly stopped at the green light. My mother couldn't see what was happening ahead and threw her arms up in a kinda ' what you doing, it's green!' gesture.
This obviously pushed the wrong buttons with the driver in front. He stormed out of his car yelling all sorts.
In fairness the junction ahead was blocked so he did the correct thing to stop early and let people turn, but he was opening the door and threatening all sorts. I jump out and congratulate him on threatening a tiny 50 year old woman, the man in a van jumps out too with similar sympathy. Some lads at the pub watching all this start some kind of football song along the lines of 'you fat bd'
It's amazing how quickly that blokes mood changed!
This obviously pushed the wrong buttons with the driver in front. He stormed out of his car yelling all sorts.
In fairness the junction ahead was blocked so he did the correct thing to stop early and let people turn, but he was opening the door and threatening all sorts. I jump out and congratulate him on threatening a tiny 50 year old woman, the man in a van jumps out too with similar sympathy. Some lads at the pub watching all this start some kind of football song along the lines of 'you fat b
d' It's amazing how quickly that blokes mood changed!
Most serious case of road rage I have seen was a few years back before I could drive I was in car with my dad. I didn't see what happened, but basically a car went into the back of another and a guy jumped out of the car and started punching the driver through his window. My dad and this other bloke jumped out and pulled the guy away, but it's quite scary to think people will over react to that level.
There's a general arrogance you often see now though which doesn't help.
The OP apologised straight away which is to be commended and should have been the end of the matter - after all he merely caused some slight annoyance, he didn't cause damage or harm to anyone/thing.
It's much worse when the people in the wrong do not accept, and even blame you!
I was in my mate's Passat yesterday leaving Asda at lunchtime, he is on the main road on the exit, and a smaller car driven by an older guy turns straight out from a side road into his path, cue full-on emergency stop (albeit at low speed). The other car noticed what he'd done as his car was half-way out of the road, and my mate drove around him. The other driver did not apologise, or hold his hand up, just stared ahead. I was in the passenger side so was closest to the other driver, and I gave a kind of shrug to say "what the hell was that?" The guy gave me the V's... lol.
The OP apologised straight away which is to be commended and should have been the end of the matter - after all he merely caused some slight annoyance, he didn't cause damage or harm to anyone/thing.
It's much worse when the people in the wrong do not accept, and even blame you!
I was in my mate's Passat yesterday leaving Asda at lunchtime, he is on the main road on the exit, and a smaller car driven by an older guy turns straight out from a side road into his path, cue full-on emergency stop (albeit at low speed). The other car noticed what he'd done as his car was half-way out of the road, and my mate drove around him. The other driver did not apologise, or hold his hand up, just stared ahead. I was in the passenger side so was closest to the other driver, and I gave a kind of shrug to say "what the hell was that?" The guy gave me the V's... lol.
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