Has a mental driver ever made you doubt...
Discussion
...your own driving? Turned down a side road in an unknown area to me, with queuing traffic coming the opposite way waiting at a congested junction. Notice a transit tipper truck driving towards me completely on my side of the road, with a white box van a few lengths behind him. The driver of the tipper was gesticulating at me, and I think even tooted me. For a second or two I seriously questioned if I'd somehow managed to drive down a one way street, and even stopped and started reversing! Then a car turned into the road behind me, and I realised it really wasn't. I think where there was two of them it really seemed feasible I'd made a huge cock-up!
I didn't really notice what the two vans did, as I was so momentarily confused! So any grad-A morons ever made you second-guess the correctness of your driving!?
I didn't really notice what the two vans did, as I was so momentarily confused! So any grad-A morons ever made you second-guess the correctness of your driving!?
I'v once turned the wrong way onto a one way road before and it was a fast running one at that, quickly pulled in at the next turn in when I realised and was very lucky I didn't meet someone coming the other way that was paying as little attention as myself! The fact that I didn't see the massive "no entry" signs and that the arrows were pointing the opposite way on the road still haunts me.
Never had what you described to be fair but I can imagine it being very easy to start second guessing yourself in that kind of situation.
Never had what you described to be fair but I can imagine it being very easy to start second guessing yourself in that kind of situation.
I've had people pull onto roundabouts and just generally seem oblivious to what I'm doing to the point that I've stopped down the road to check I haven't got an indicator bulb out. Always turns out to be just them being dicks though.
I did once embarrassingly turn into a road that had been converted to a "bus only" cut-through. Sat at the lights at the other end for a very long time waiting for a bus to come up behind me, as my car doesn't have the transponder on it to make the lights change. Oooops. Somehow I never got a fine for that, was a tense couple of weeks every time the postie came.
I did once embarrassingly turn into a road that had been converted to a "bus only" cut-through. Sat at the lights at the other end for a very long time waiting for a bus to come up behind me, as my car doesn't have the transponder on it to make the lights change. Oooops. Somehow I never got a fine for that, was a tense couple of weeks every time the postie came.
Edited by lufbramatt on Tuesday 10th September 08:51
I get whole days when I wonder WTF!
Cars pulling out in front of me at junctions - cars coming towards me with wheels over the centre line pushing me over to the kerb - getting cut up on roundabouts - cars in front suddenly stopping on an empty road.
I think my motor has a secret button somewhere that I accidently push and it activates some kind of invisibility cloaking device.
Luckily it de-activates the next day.
Cars pulling out in front of me at junctions - cars coming towards me with wheels over the centre line pushing me over to the kerb - getting cut up on roundabouts - cars in front suddenly stopping on an empty road.
I think my motor has a secret button somewhere that I accidently push and it activates some kind of invisibility cloaking device.
Luckily it de-activates the next day.
Squiggs said:
I get whole days when I wonder WTF!
Cars pulling out in front of me at junctions - cars coming towards me with wheels over the centre line pushing me over to the kerb - getting cut up on roundabouts - cars in front suddenly stopping on an empty road.
THIS!Cars pulling out in front of me at junctions - cars coming towards me with wheels over the centre line pushing me over to the kerb - getting cut up on roundabouts - cars in front suddenly stopping on an empty road.
I don't understand some people at roundabouts, it's like they look no further than the end of their car bonnet! Pull up to a roundabout, STOP, have a look around then go. If it's sort of "blind" from the right hand side I can understand being cautious but when coming up to a roundabout and the view is completely open and no vehicle could possibly magic out of thin air in that time, there is absolutely no reason to slow down to a stop.
My car seems to disable other cars indicators at roundabouts. Lost count of the amount of times the car I am giving way to suddenly goes left without any signal. But its the way the other driver stares at me as if questioning why I'm sitting there giving way at a now clear roundabout!
The most confusing one was when I was sitting parked in parallel parking spaces. The driver of the car in front returned to his car which was already there when I arrived, but was angrily glaring at me shouting etc (Couldn't make out what he was saying). Yet I'd never seen this guy or car before, I wasnt parked too close, in fact I was about half a car length away! Then he got in his car and drove off. It puzzled me for the rest of the day as to what I could have done!
The most confusing one was when I was sitting parked in parallel parking spaces. The driver of the car in front returned to his car which was already there when I arrived, but was angrily glaring at me shouting etc (Couldn't make out what he was saying). Yet I'd never seen this guy or car before, I wasnt parked too close, in fact I was about half a car length away! Then he got in his car and drove off. It puzzled me for the rest of the day as to what I could have done!
Just yesterday actually. I turned right at a roundabout onto a 40mph town bypass. I was cruising along it at around 35mph when suddenly there's a chap in an r170 behind flashing his lights at me. I raise my hand to acknowledge and continue.
Pass through several more roundabouts and he's getting more and more agitated, giving me the v, flashing hazards etc, his Mrs even tried to flag down a passing police car, waving and pointing at me.
At this point I was getting pretty nervous so on the stretch before the final roundabout I gave it the beans to give some space. It's a long stretch where people generally overtake if they're particularly impatient but this guy stayed put, until closing up again as I braked for the final roundabout. I turned left, he turned right and said his goodbyes with a nice burst of the horn as I peeled off.
For the rest of the day I was completely miffed and playing it over in my head, there was just no reason for it. I certainly didn't cut him up going on to the bypass, there was nobody oncoming which I'm certain of. I just can't think for the life of me what I did wrong, if anything, except drive at 5 under along a bypass lined with houses.
So yes, I doubted my driving and any reason to ever interact with people for the rest of the day. Nutters.
Pass through several more roundabouts and he's getting more and more agitated, giving me the v, flashing hazards etc, his Mrs even tried to flag down a passing police car, waving and pointing at me.
At this point I was getting pretty nervous so on the stretch before the final roundabout I gave it the beans to give some space. It's a long stretch where people generally overtake if they're particularly impatient but this guy stayed put, until closing up again as I braked for the final roundabout. I turned left, he turned right and said his goodbyes with a nice burst of the horn as I peeled off.
For the rest of the day I was completely miffed and playing it over in my head, there was just no reason for it. I certainly didn't cut him up going on to the bypass, there was nobody oncoming which I'm certain of. I just can't think for the life of me what I did wrong, if anything, except drive at 5 under along a bypass lined with houses.
So yes, I doubted my driving and any reason to ever interact with people for the rest of the day. Nutters.
My car seems to disable other cars indicators at roundabouts. Lost count of the amount of times the car I am giving way to suddenly goes left without any signal. But its the way the other driver stares at me as if questioning why I'm sitting there giving way at a now clear roundabout!
The most confusing one was when I was sitting parked in parallel parking spaces. The driver of the car in front returned to his car which was already there when I arrived, but was angrily glaring at me shouting etc (Couldn't make out what he was saying). Yet I'd never seen this guy or car before, I wasnt parked too close, in fact I was about half a car length away! Then he got in his car and drove off. It puzzled me for the rest of the day as to what I could have done!
The most confusing one was when I was sitting parked in parallel parking spaces. The driver of the car in front returned to his car which was already there when I arrived, but was angrily glaring at me shouting etc (Couldn't make out what he was saying). Yet I'd never seen this guy or car before, I wasnt parked too close, in fact I was about half a car length away! Then he got in his car and drove off. It puzzled me for the rest of the day as to what I could have done!
'One of those moments' yesterday
I was with the OH yesterday in her car (it was being driven back from being collected new from the dealership and had literally one or two miles on the clock.
Entering a small roundabout and driving straight over, a bus comes in from the left junction and pulls out straight across in front of her - I was watching the bus driver and he did not look right as he drove out.
The OH is forced to stop in the middle of the roundabout in order to let the bus through. At this point a middle aged gentlemen in a Toyota Avensis exits the junction to the left of where my OH has come. He was driving straight over, and we were blocking his way. He'd have seen the bus, but instead of holding back he drove quickly towards our car and stopped a few cm from the drivers side, horn blaring and shouting obscenities. The look of venom on his face was quite disturbing - how someone could get like that for no reason is beyond me.
I'm thankful that I was in the car with my OH, because if I hadn't been she would have kicked his arse
I was with the OH yesterday in her car (it was being driven back from being collected new from the dealership and had literally one or two miles on the clock.
Entering a small roundabout and driving straight over, a bus comes in from the left junction and pulls out straight across in front of her - I was watching the bus driver and he did not look right as he drove out.
The OH is forced to stop in the middle of the roundabout in order to let the bus through. At this point a middle aged gentlemen in a Toyota Avensis exits the junction to the left of where my OH has come. He was driving straight over, and we were blocking his way. He'd have seen the bus, but instead of holding back he drove quickly towards our car and stopped a few cm from the drivers side, horn blaring and shouting obscenities. The look of venom on his face was quite disturbing - how someone could get like that for no reason is beyond me.
I'm thankful that I was in the car with my OH, because if I hadn't been she would have kicked his arse
Yep. I think we have all had them.
There is a roundabout on the way home. 2 lanes on, 2 lanes off the way I go, that converge in to 1 about 50 meters down. I take the third exit, strait ahead. The left hand lane often has a line of traffic turning down the first exit. I enter using the RH lane, and exit using the RH lane when it is busy to avoid sitting in traffic that is turning left.
About 3 weeks ago I pulled off the roundabout and was going to mearge. Suddenly there is a white Audi A1 up my inside. I thought that I had missed her and stayed in that lane a little longer, indicating to pull in. I realized that she was not going to let me so had to brake hard and pull in behind her.
Same thing yesterday, except this time I had the roof down and could hear what happed and know I did not miss her. As I am coming round the roundabout she nails the throttle and tries to block me again. Seems she seems to have decided that by using both lanes I am pushing in or something and is going to use her car to stop me rather than letting two lanes merge in to one.
Oddly she had no problem with the person who used the RH lane coming on and cut her up on the roundabout to get in the LH lane rather than using the RH lane coming off.
Utterly mental. People seem to make up there own rule then try and enforce them with there car. Made me think I missed her, when in fact she was just using her car as a weapon.
There is a roundabout on the way home. 2 lanes on, 2 lanes off the way I go, that converge in to 1 about 50 meters down. I take the third exit, strait ahead. The left hand lane often has a line of traffic turning down the first exit. I enter using the RH lane, and exit using the RH lane when it is busy to avoid sitting in traffic that is turning left.
About 3 weeks ago I pulled off the roundabout and was going to mearge. Suddenly there is a white Audi A1 up my inside. I thought that I had missed her and stayed in that lane a little longer, indicating to pull in. I realized that she was not going to let me so had to brake hard and pull in behind her.
Same thing yesterday, except this time I had the roof down and could hear what happed and know I did not miss her. As I am coming round the roundabout she nails the throttle and tries to block me again. Seems she seems to have decided that by using both lanes I am pushing in or something and is going to use her car to stop me rather than letting two lanes merge in to one.
Oddly she had no problem with the person who used the RH lane coming on and cut her up on the roundabout to get in the LH lane rather than using the RH lane coming off.
Utterly mental. People seem to make up there own rule then try and enforce them with there car. Made me think I missed her, when in fact she was just using her car as a weapon.
Drove down to Chelmsford as an impulse decision to go to V festival for the day and was waiting at some part time lights to enter a roundabout (the army and navy one I later found out). Lights go green and I pull out onto the roundabout. Someone comes round the roundabout and drives straight into the back of me. I begin to think I've looked at the wrong lights and driven into his path, but no. Upon getting out to his monaing, I clearly see he has jumped a red light and once I pointed that out to him he was quick to admit liability at the side of the road - his insurance still hasn't paid out a year later though :/
Don't usually doubt my own ability.... but i am completely and utterly perplex at the inability of others to drive on there own side of the white lines.
I drive a pretty big Jag XJ and have driven lots of large vans / trucks in the past and have always managed it. Hell, even buses round here manage it. But little Dorthy in her Micra or school run mum in her X5 cant manage it. And even seem out out when you don't ram your car in to the hedges to avoid them!
I drive a pretty big Jag XJ and have driven lots of large vans / trucks in the past and have always managed it. Hell, even buses round here manage it. But little Dorthy in her Micra or school run mum in her X5 cant manage it. And even seem out out when you don't ram your car in to the hedges to avoid them!
Made a nice cock up a few years ago. Came up to a traffic light junction on right hand bend with 2 lanes. I was in the right lane turning right. Saw the green light so went across. Just as a car came round the corner towards me. It was then I realised there were 2 green lights, one for those going stright on an one with an arrow for those turning.
Luckiy I was able to boot it and get out of the cars way otherwise I could have been making a claim and probably visiting my mate who was in the passenger seat in the hospital.
Luckiy I was able to boot it and get out of the cars way otherwise I could have been making a claim and probably visiting my mate who was in the passenger seat in the hospital.
A lot of times in the city centre I see this happening. I think we've all been there when we've seen some dodgy stunt on a road which makes us question if we're in the right lane or whatever!
The problem in my local town centre is that a lot of the stop lines which should accompany traffic lights have been scrubbed out over the years, so a lot of people ended up missing the faded stop line and driving straight through red lights. There is one in particular which seems to catch out many drivers, it's faded on on top of a crest, and is nearly impossible to see in the rain, at night with headlights coming towards you - many drivers, I presume non local, end up driving straight past the lights before slowing to a stop and wondering what just happened!
The problem in my local town centre is that a lot of the stop lines which should accompany traffic lights have been scrubbed out over the years, so a lot of people ended up missing the faded stop line and driving straight through red lights. There is one in particular which seems to catch out many drivers, it's faded on on top of a crest, and is nearly impossible to see in the rain, at night with headlights coming towards you - many drivers, I presume non local, end up driving straight past the lights before slowing to a stop and wondering what just happened!
Boydie88 said:
Drove down to Chelmsford as an impulse decision to go to V festival for the day and was waiting at some part time lights to enter a roundabout (the army and navy one I later found out). Lights go green and I pull out onto the roundabout. Someone comes round the roundabout and drives straight into the back of me. I begin to think I've looked at the wrong lights and driven into his path, but no. Upon getting out to his monaing, I clearly see he has jumped a red light and once I pointed that out to him he was quick to admit liability at the side of the road - his insurance still hasn't paid out a year later though :/
I think I read your post about this last year - and I think somebody else has posted exactly the same thing this year!Although I'm in Chelmsford I never cross this roundabout at regular times or on regular days - so I couldn't tell you when these part-time lights work and when they don't - I just observe and obey.
But having read two similar accounts exactly a year apart I can only surmise that the lights don't usually work at weekends - and that the locals who only come into town at the weekends simply expect them not to work for every weekend of the year.
Then suddenly .... Out of the blue! Hey presto! For one weekend only! ... the lights are turned on!
I know there's no excuse for poor observation - but for the locals that regularly come into town only at weekends of it must come as a bit of a shock.
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