Road Rage - have you ever got out of your car?

[BenS94]

Does recycling rage count?

I visit the local recycling point at least every couple of days as I was sick of our recycling either not being collected by the council, or thrown all over the drive/pavement in windy conditions, so I do it myself, actually quite enjoy it as it gets me out after suffering some pretty dark moments in relation to mental health.

This was until an incident.

I always park on the end by the recycling bins as it's quiet round there and I'm causing no obstruction.

I park up as normal, admittedly facing the wrong way (it's at the end of a one way horseshoe, to exit I simply do full lock left in to parking space and reverse out, exiting the correct way) but I'd park in the very same place anyway regardless of which way I'm facing.

Just as I'm about to get out of the car, a Civic pulls in and slowly rolls to a stop, 30 seconds later, an old bloke gets out

"Are you going to be long? I want to do some recycling"

Am I in your way?

"YES"

Well as you can see, I was here first and I'm just sorting mine out, I won't be long

He comes closer, I'm 6ft and built exactly as he describes
"Well you've come in the wrong way, you fat " he says, fist clenching. He steps even closer, trying to be as intimidating as a 5ft 5 rake of a pensioner can be, I can't help but laugh in his face, at such a pathetic sight.

"Come on then dhead, you gonna move or do I have to move you"

Aye good fking luck trying to shift me mate, I'd back off if I were you.

He now starts flapping his arms as if he wants to fly away, increasingly turning the colour of beetroot. This makes me laugh more, only causing more rage, I decide it's best to retreat before I have to physically defend myself.

I get in my car, he's walking back to his, assuming he's won the battle I shout

No one has had issue with me parking like this as they have brains and know I'd be in the same spot even if the correct way, and had you not been a snotty old towards me, I'd have gladly moved out your way.

Well this added more fuel to the fire, he comes marching back towards the car, I'd already shut the door and started the car, he's stood in front of the car, arms flapping and asking me to get out the car, I'm now highly amused and in fits of laughter, he comes round to the drivers' side, bangs on the window and tries the handle, I give him a one fingered wave whilst laughing and drive off.

Normally I'd go all cowardly but this is the first time I've actually stood my ground so I was quite proud, even more so I'd been in control and not resorted to violence, but then guilt hit as really I should've just driven off sooner or just not gone in the wrong way.

I'd be interested to hear your views

[southendpier]

BenS94 said:

Does recycling rage count?

I visit the local recycling point at least every couple of days as I was sick of our recycling either not being collected by the council, or thrown all over the drive/pavement in windy conditions, so I do it myself, actually quite enjoy it as it gets me out after suffering some pretty dark moments in relation to mental health.

This was until an incident.

I always park on the end by the recycling bins as it's quiet round there and I'm causing no obstruction.

I park up as normal, admittedly facing the wrong way (it's at the end of a one way horseshoe, to exit I simply do full lock left in to parking space and reverse out, exiting the correct way) but I'd park in the very same place anyway regardless of which way I'm facing.

Just as I'm about to get out of the car, a Civic pulls in and slowly rolls to a stop, 30 seconds later, an old bloke gets out

"Are you going to be long? I want to do some recycling"

Am I in your way?

"YES"

Well as you can see, I was here first and I'm just sorting mine out, I won't be long

He comes closer, I'm 6ft and built exactly as he describes
"Well you've come in the wrong way, you fat " he says, fist clenching. He steps even closer, trying to be as intimidating as a 5ft 5 rake of a pensioner can be, I can't help but laugh in his face, at such a pathetic sight.

"Come on then dhead, you gonna move or do I have to move you"

Aye good fking luck trying to shift me mate, I'd back off if I were you.

He now starts flapping his arms as if he wants to fly away, increasingly turning the colour of beetroot. This makes me laugh more, only causing more rage, I decide it's best to retreat before I have to physically defend myself.

I get in my car, he's walking back to his, assuming he's won the battle I shout

No one has had issue with me parking like this as they have brains and know I'd be in the same spot even if the correct way, and had you not been a snotty old towards me, I'd have gladly moved out your way.

Well this added more fuel to the fire, he comes marching back towards the car, I'd already shut the door and started the car, he's stood in front of the car, arms flapping and asking me to get out the car, I'm now highly amused and in fits of laughter, he comes round to the drivers' side, bangs on the window and tries the handle, I give him a one fingered wave whilst laughing and drive off.

Normally I'd go all cowardly but this is the first time I've actually stood my ground so I was quite proud, even more so I'd been in control and not resorted to violence, but then guilt hit as really I should've just driven off sooner or just not gone in the wrong way.

I'd be interested to hear your views

Possibly early signs of dementia. My father had similar confrontations. Difficult to deal with. No one hurt and you get a story to tell people over a beer - more than he did, I expect.


Or "once a , always a " as the old saying goes.

[Kevin-2g5x2]

Years ago I was a passenger in my Wifes car (small Japanese hatchback, dare I say typical 'ladies' car), driven by my Son, who was mid 20's and only a few weeks earlier had passed his test.
The weather was poor, raining, and windows were condensed so he was taking his time overtaking a line of parked cars up a steep hill approaching a T junction.
Immediately behind was a 'modded' Vauxhall which as it turned out contained three teenagers, who obviously impatient were driving close to our rear bumper and then flashing their headlights suggesting we got a move on.
We stopped at the T junction, when there was a gap in traffic coming from the offside there was traffic coming from the nearside and vice versa, so we were delayed for a brief time but long enough for the Vauxhall driver to repeatedly sound his horn.
I assume the occupants thought the car was being driven by a 'steady lady' and found it amusing, my Son didn't and started to get out to 'have a word', now I am quite calm natured and have a high tolerance level and would have just ignored them, but I watched as son walked to the driver and saw him exchange a few words before reaching in through the open window.
I feared that he may have given the driver a 'slap', and things were going to get out of hand, then he walked back and got into the car said nothing and as luck would have it there was a gap in traffic and we drove out onto the main road leaving the Vauxhall stationary behind.
I said, "You didn't hit him did You?", he replied, "No, I just grabbed the keys and threw them into a garden, he won't do that again in a hurry"
Whilst not condoning any type of "Road rage Karma", I did laugh.

[TonyG2003]

There are drivers and cyclists who just have anger management issues. The trouble with being a cyclist is that the person in the car has control of something that can seriously injure or kill you (case if a lady solicitor who intentionally mowed down a cyclist a few years ago) and hence being calm as a cyclist is a good move.

The cyclist in the video is a knob looking for trouble and yes the Landrover drive in the video was about as angry as the guy I had to deal with.

[prand]

southendpier said:

Possibly early signs of dementia. My father had similar confrontations. Difficult to deal with. No one hurt and you get a story to tell people over a beer - more than he did, I expect.


Or "once a , always a " as the old saying goes.

Interesting, my dad seems to be going that way, and certainly is been diagnosed with cognitive reduction over recent years sadly. We avoid letting our kids get driven around by him now after one too many reports by them of grandpa getting tooted at and shouts from other cars. The last one was when he cut up a van on a roundabout, both stopped and shouted at each other, dad pulled into a petrol station with van following, stopped. Van driver got out to 'speak to him', and my dad sped off!

The post above too also reminded me of my dad who had a massive barney with one of the workers at our local tip, it sounded pretty innocuous the resulted in my dad making formal complaints to thw council etc etc... makes me wonder if this all is connected with his me tal decline 😞

Edited by prand on Friday 3rd November 09:27

[carlove]

The suggestion of dementia has reminded me of a minor road rage incident, an old man pulled out on me at a T junction causing me to stop(not an emergency stop), I didn't beep or gesticulate or anything like that. Old man stops his car and opens the window and starts shouting at me for not indicating. I just responded that I don't need to indicate if I'm going straight ahead and pointed out he wasn't indicating to turn right out of the T junction.
I thought he was just a miserable old sod, but maybe he did have early dementia.

[Unreal]

prand said:

southendpier said:

Possibly early signs of dementia. My father had similar confrontations. Difficult to deal with. No one hurt and you get a story to tell people over a beer - more than he did, I expect.


Or "once a , always a " as the old saying goes.

Interesting, my dad seems to be going that way, and certainly is been diagnosed with cognitive reduction over recent years sadly. We avoid letting our kids get driven around by him now after one too many reports by them of grandpa getting tooted at and shouts from other cars. The last one was when he cut up a van on a roundabout, both stopped and shouted at each other, dad pulled into a petrol station with van following, stopped. Van driver got out to 'speak to him', and my dad sped off!

The post above too also reminded me of my dad who had a massive barney with one of the workers at our local tip, it sounded pretty innocuous the resulted in my dad making formal complaints to thw council etc etc... makes me wonder if this all is connected with his me tal decline ??

Edited by prand on Friday 3rd November 09:27

Tips seems to pretty popular places for aggro. Same as anywhere where there's a perceived right and wrong way to do things like supermarkets and garage forecourts. My local tip has had to change the layout due to the constant hassle caused by people refusing to merge in turn properly where two lanes become one.

I needed some air fairly urgently recently and found the bay occupied by an empty car (big SUV natch). I park behind and wait. Took three or four minutes before the driver came out with a bag of shopping and got back in the car. No comment from me. A few minutes go by, they're still in the car. I can't see what's going on (privacy glass obvs) so I get out and walk up to the car. They're on the phone. I politely ask if they can please move. I get told "fk off, I'm on the phone".

There's no hope with people like this everywhere. So many people seem keen to pick fights, get involved in stuff that's nothing to do with them or take offence unnecessarily. The most popular posts on social media involve complaints and increasingly, reporting people. I blame the vaccine. This is the start of a descent into a zombie apocalypse.

[J4CKO]

BenS94 said:

TameRacingDriver said:

TonyG2003 said:

Just one cycling incident. I was riding along a cycle lane filtering down the inside a long line of traffic and I came up to another group of cyclists in the cycle land except for one of who was riding in the road (ie. Not in the cycle lane) and slightly holding up a Landrover behind him. We were coming up to some stationary traffic soon. Anyway the cyclist and the driver started hand gestures and swearing at each other then the driver squeezes past the cyclist drives off, straight into the stationary traffic. The cyclist goes down the middle of the traffic lane and knocks back the Landrover drivers wing mirror. At this point I have to filter right to turn right.

By the time I get to the Landrover the guy is out ,swearing at the cyclist (who has ridden off) and more angry than anyone I’ve seen for years. Complete psycho who had lost the plot. just shouting “he touched my car I’m going to ‘kin kill him” over and over again. The guy is overweight probably in his 50’s (so am I although just the 50’s bit). I think he’s going to have a heart attack! He’s gone beetroot. He starts shouting a me “do you know him, I’m going on do you”. His family are in the car, kids crying, wife, father looking scared. I eventually calm him down. “No you aren’t going to kill him since you will go to jail and not see your kids”. Literally more than 5 mins standing in a live lane with other cars honking at us.

Anyway cycling is a small world and it turns out the “mirror hitter” is a friend of a friend, has form for this and has been banned from several cycling clubs. I found out who he was and we had a very frank chat about the situation he was putting others in.

The world is full of nutters. Stay in your cars!

Wasn't this guy was it?

Comments defending the cyclist when the driver was correct... cyclist clearly has mental health issues.

The cyclist was being squeezed into the side of the road and said "Come on", it was the swivel eye lunatic in the Discovery that has mental issues, he had the window open so heard it, otherwise wouldn't but was spoiling for a fight, that jacket alone says he is mental.

Pretty alarming being squeezed like that by a 2.5 ton vehicle, he was entitled to object imho.

That was not 1.5 metres and was done on purpose to intimidate.

[SitCet]

My goodness. That jacket is very very special.

[Deranged Rover]

Countdown said:

Is there anybody on PH who isn't 6ft 6" and regularly does martial arts, MMA, boxing or Tai Fu ?

I'm 6'3" and fairly broadly built but I'm a big softy who has never hit anyone in my life - to be fair, I've never had to as I've always been able to talk my way out of a situation.

The last time anything dodgy happened was years ago when a mate was winding up some other blokes in a kebab shop (about 1am - we'd all been drinking, obviously). I stepped in to try and calm things and one of the other blokes turned to me, puffed himself up and said "Do you want me to hit you as well?"

My instant response was "Christ no - you're a big bloke and it'd bloody hurt". There was a moment of silence as he glared at me, then he burst out laughing, all was fine and we all staggered away on good terms.

That's the sort of outcome I like.

[Superflow]

No and I’ve never needed to being calm and passive.

Reminded me of a funny incident my mother’s friend had around 1989 on our cul de sac new build estate. There had been a spate of car thefts in the area and one early evening she had observed a car slowly circling and stopping outside houses,being the no nonsense type she went out and confronted the driver who climbed out of the car described by her as a huge black guy in a tracksuit who calmly and politely explained he was lost and looking for his friend/trainer’s home.

Non the wiser she pointed him in the direction of Terry’s house.

The large gentleman was a certain Lennox Lewis back in the UK after recently turning professional.

[biggbn]

Superflow said:

No and I’ve never needed to being calm and passive.

Reminded me of a funny incident my mother’s friend had around 1989 on our cul de sac new build estate. There had been a spate of car thefts in the area and one early evening she had observed a car slowly circling and stopping outside houses,being the no nonsense type she went out and confronted the driver who climbed out of the car described by her as a huge black guy in a tracksuit who calmly and politely explained he was lost and looking for his friend/trainer’s home.

Non the wiser she pointed him in the direction of Terry’s house.

The large gentleman was a certain Lennox Lewis back in the UK after recently turning professional.

Brilliant!

[Superflow]

biggbn said:

Superflow said:

No and I’ve never needed to being calm and passive.

Reminded me of a funny incident my mother’s friend had around 1989 on our cul de sac new build estate. There had been a spate of car thefts in the area and one early evening she had observed a car slowly circling and stopping outside houses,being the no nonsense type she went out and confronted the driver who climbed out of the car described by her as a huge black guy in a tracksuit who calmly and politely explained he was lost and looking for his friend/trainer’s home.

Non the wiser she pointed him in the direction of Terry’s house.

The large gentleman was a certain Lennox Lewis back in the UK after recently turning professional.

Brilliant!

Made me laugh at the time and a good reminder of why you should keep your cool as not everyone is a pleasant as Lennox was.

[pits]

I made a guy get out of his car once, he blocked me from filtering on my bike and made a point that I was getting past him in traffic, so I just opened his boot and told him "your boot is open mate" before riding off down the nearside of him laughing

[theplayingmantis]

J4CKO said:

BenS94 said:

TameRacingDriver said:

TonyG2003 said:

Just one cycling incident. I was riding along a cycle lane filtering down the inside a long line of traffic and I came up to another group of cyclists in the cycle land except for one of who was riding in the road (ie. Not in the cycle lane) and slightly holding up a Landrover behind him. We were coming up to some stationary traffic soon. Anyway the cyclist and the driver started hand gestures and swearing at each other then the driver squeezes past the cyclist drives off, straight into the stationary traffic. The cyclist goes down the middle of the traffic lane and knocks back the Landrover drivers wing mirror. At this point I have to filter right to turn right.

By the time I get to the Landrover the guy is out ,swearing at the cyclist (who has ridden off) and more angry than anyone I’ve seen for years. Complete psycho who had lost the plot. just shouting “he touched my car I’m going to ‘kin kill him” over and over again. The guy is overweight probably in his 50’s (so am I although just the 50’s bit). I think he’s going to have a heart attack! He’s gone beetroot. He starts shouting a me “do you know him, I’m going on do you”. His family are in the car, kids crying, wife, father looking scared. I eventually calm him down. “No you aren’t going to kill him since you will go to jail and not see your kids”. Literally more than 5 mins standing in a live lane with other cars honking at us.

Anyway cycling is a small world and it turns out the “mirror hitter” is a friend of a friend, has form for this and has been banned from several cycling clubs. I found out who he was and we had a very frank chat about the situation he was putting others in.

The world is full of nutters. Stay in your cars!

Wasn't this guy was it?

Comments defending the cyclist when the driver was correct... cyclist clearly has mental health issues.

The cyclist was being squeezed into the side of the road and said "Come on", it was the swivel eye lunatic in the Discovery that has mental issues, he had the window open so heard it, otherwise wouldn't but was spoiling for a fight, that jacket alone says he is mental.

Pretty alarming being squeezed like that by a 2.5 ton vehicle, he was entitled to object imho.

That was not 1.5 metres and was done on purpose to intimidate.

Cyclist come across as rather special. Little leather bald chap clearly has a micro penis though.