Are you a nutter magnet?
Discussion
Yesterday on the A14, I had a trying game of ‘ils ne passeront pas’ with some bloke. He was cruising about 10mph slower than I had been, unless I tried to overtake in which case he appeared to be prepared to blow his engine rather than let me by. I did get by, of course. I pretended to meekly submit, geared it down and drove briskly past before he could react. However, naturally, he chased me. Which was nice (not).
This was the first time I've experienced that sort of thing for a long while and it reminded me of my youth, when my mere presence in a nearby vehicle seemed to provoke the most bizarre behaviour from my fellow motorists and the kind of encounter described, above, would have been a given for any journey.
At the time, I did wonder if I was doing something that was winding them all up. However, I'm pretty sure it's not me. When I sold my Triumph Spitfire and bought a Lotus it stopped. Completely. For 12 years. I bought a new car last year. Now it's all starting up again.
There have been points when I've wondered if it's because I'm female, as in my case, all but one of the perpetrators of this kind of behaviour have been male and the problem seems to stem from any attempt to overtake them - even if they're dithering along and speeds a tractor driver would sneer at. I'm also a little dyspraxic so it could be that there are subtle 'nutter here' warning signs that I don't pick up.
Therefore, my fellow piston heads. I just wanted to ask if any of you have been the butt of any unprovoked, barking behaviour by other motorists. If you have, what did you do?
Also, I'd be really interested to hear from anyone out there who just can't help taking the act of being passed by certain types of driver, make or marque as an insult. To the point they will take their car to engine destroying speeds and endanger life rather than allow the other person to stay in front of them.
Various friends of mine have had similar experiences including incidents when the nutter has retaken the passing lady, got alongside and then pulled in, running them onto the verge. But we're all girls. Have any boys out there encountered it?
Are there any other nutter magnets out there? Does anyone else have any stories of astoundingly poor or bizarre driving, theirs or other peoples' that they'd like to share?
Cheers
MTM
This was the first time I've experienced that sort of thing for a long while and it reminded me of my youth, when my mere presence in a nearby vehicle seemed to provoke the most bizarre behaviour from my fellow motorists and the kind of encounter described, above, would have been a given for any journey.
At the time, I did wonder if I was doing something that was winding them all up. However, I'm pretty sure it's not me. When I sold my Triumph Spitfire and bought a Lotus it stopped. Completely. For 12 years. I bought a new car last year. Now it's all starting up again.
There have been points when I've wondered if it's because I'm female, as in my case, all but one of the perpetrators of this kind of behaviour have been male and the problem seems to stem from any attempt to overtake them - even if they're dithering along and speeds a tractor driver would sneer at. I'm also a little dyspraxic so it could be that there are subtle 'nutter here' warning signs that I don't pick up.
Therefore, my fellow piston heads. I just wanted to ask if any of you have been the butt of any unprovoked, barking behaviour by other motorists. If you have, what did you do?
Also, I'd be really interested to hear from anyone out there who just can't help taking the act of being passed by certain types of driver, make or marque as an insult. To the point they will take their car to engine destroying speeds and endanger life rather than allow the other person to stay in front of them.
Various friends of mine have had similar experiences including incidents when the nutter has retaken the passing lady, got alongside and then pulled in, running them onto the verge. But we're all girls. Have any boys out there encountered it?
Are there any other nutter magnets out there? Does anyone else have any stories of astoundingly poor or bizarre driving, theirs or other peoples' that they'd like to share?
Cheers
MTM
Yes on occasion this happens. In the old days I used to play along, but now I find it tedious and sometimes scary so I tend to avoid these situations.
For me it's normally lane 3 of the motorway on the way home and some 2.0d repmobile. You sit behind them at a safe distance in the remote hope that they may spot you and have the decency to move over in to the empty lane 2 that's presented itself, but after a couple of miles accept that they won't, so get a little closer, at which point they speed up so you drop back and then they slow down again.
Repeat until finally they let you pass and then move back out and tailgate you for the remainder of journey thus ruining the radio show or audio book that you are listening to. Very boring. I just don't get it. If somebody comes up quickly behind me and I can let them pass on any road I do. What is the point in ruining their journey and mine?
For me it's normally lane 3 of the motorway on the way home and some 2.0d repmobile. You sit behind them at a safe distance in the remote hope that they may spot you and have the decency to move over in to the empty lane 2 that's presented itself, but after a couple of miles accept that they won't, so get a little closer, at which point they speed up so you drop back and then they slow down again.
Repeat until finally they let you pass and then move back out and tailgate you for the remainder of journey thus ruining the radio show or audio book that you are listening to. Very boring. I just don't get it. If somebody comes up quickly behind me and I can let them pass on any road I do. What is the point in ruining their journey and mine?
If I drive the Z3, I get this type of thing on occasion. It's the 'hairdressers car' syndrome.
In the X5, people get out of the way, generally avoid eye contact. It's the 'hitman/psychopath/footballer' syndrome.
In the 911 Turbo, some seem to actively try and baulk you or block you in to provoke a reaction, some just want to hear & see it being given the berries & some look a sneer. It's the 'capitalist pig/poser/flash git' syndrome.
On the bike, it doesn't make a blind bit of difference, but some get in the way on purpose, some think it's funny to put their washers on & most either don't notice or get out of the way.
Still the same me driving/riding.
Who gives a fig anyway? Just drive safely and if you think someone's being a pr!ck, just slow down & change the music, take an exit/re-join the DC/Motorway, stop for a coffee.
I'd think the worst thing to do is react in any way.
Not saying I'm a complete
though as (once or twice) I have reacted & generally thought what a cock I was afterwards, but the red mist & all that when you know some one is being a knob jockey...
In the X5, people get out of the way, generally avoid eye contact. It's the 'hitman/psychopath/footballer' syndrome.
In the 911 Turbo, some seem to actively try and baulk you or block you in to provoke a reaction, some just want to hear & see it being given the berries & some look a sneer. It's the 'capitalist pig/poser/flash git' syndrome.
On the bike, it doesn't make a blind bit of difference, but some get in the way on purpose, some think it's funny to put their washers on & most either don't notice or get out of the way.
Still the same me driving/riding.
Who gives a fig anyway? Just drive safely and if you think someone's being a pr!ck, just slow down & change the music, take an exit/re-join the DC/Motorway, stop for a coffee.
I'd think the worst thing to do is react in any way.
Not saying I'm a complete
though as (once or twice) I have reacted & generally thought what a cock I was afterwards, but the red mist & all that when you know some one is being a knob jockey...
hole desperate to show you his TDi badge. 
It's happened to me a few times. Driving a Type R seems to attract them even more! the worst one was a van on the M25 who then started swerving at me. The other bad one was an Audui A4 estate who deliberately drove towards the side of my car. If I hadn't taken avoiding action by braking he would have rammed me into the barriers. I probably should have reported that one as I saw the car parked up later but I had stuff to do and had forgotten by the end of theday. I also get loads of people trying to race me at lights. I usually ignore them or pretend I'm going to race and then let them roar off. I did have one bloke in a worn out old metro so I just drove away normally and left him standing, I'm not sure what he thought would happen! 
Overtook a brand new white Golf when going to work the other morning. Said Golf was proceeding at around 35 mph in a 50 mph zone. Overtook on a straight with good visbility and nothing coming the other way. Also gave the Golf plenty of room when pulling back in.
The driver of the Golf's response? Full beam headlights until I had disappeared into the distance on some twisty bits.
Interestingly, I get to a 30mph zone around 3 miles down the road and I adjust my speed accordingly. Who catches up with me (whilst doing a lot more than 30 mph)? The white Golf.
As soon as he/she realises who is infront of them, the full beam comes back on. So, I have to proceed through the 30 mph zone whilst my mirrors are full of the idiot's full beam lights.
As soon as we get out of the 30 mph zone, I disappear again on some more twisty bits.
Very bizarre behaviour.
The driver of the Golf's response? Full beam headlights until I had disappeared into the distance on some twisty bits.
Interestingly, I get to a 30mph zone around 3 miles down the road and I adjust my speed accordingly. Who catches up with me (whilst doing a lot more than 30 mph)? The white Golf.
As soon as he/she realises who is infront of them, the full beam comes back on. So, I have to proceed through the 30 mph zone whilst my mirrors are full of the idiot's full beam lights.
As soon as we get out of the 30 mph zone, I disappear again on some more twisty bits.
Very bizarre behaviour.
I get it in the smart car a lot, which is fine tbh 'cos I often like a bit of fun on the way home.
The best is on our local by-pass. I'm normally clogging along there in a hurry, doing 85-90, and it's amazing how people who were doing much less than that will speed match me.
Which makes it very satisfying when we get to the roundabouts and I out brake them massively and then straight line the roundabout to put an enormous gap between us.
In other words, being handicapped by my car as I am, it could only be my utterdrivinggoddery that has put 300 yards between us.
It feels like Sebastian Vettel in a Marussia.
The best is on our local by-pass. I'm normally clogging along there in a hurry, doing 85-90, and it's amazing how people who were doing much less than that will speed match me.
Which makes it very satisfying when we get to the roundabouts and I out brake them massively and then straight line the roundabout to put an enormous gap between us.
In other words, being handicapped by my car as I am, it could only be my utterdrivinggoddery that has put 300 yards between us.
It feels like Sebastian Vettel in a Marussia.
OP, this happens all the time. Mostly motorways (where the road types create ideal knob circumstances)but also single dual carriageways.
I have had it happen in small sports hatches, a hire van, a big spoilered sports saloon and a mundane looking estate car.
It is either:
- Envy
- Prejudices
- or just people who seem to want a huuuge great buffer between them and the next nearest car in front, (so they can text/realax/twiddle their fudge etc.) without others passing and pulling 3-4 car lengths ahead.
The most bizarre was a Morris Minor Cabrio doing 35 on a 60 straight road 5 years ago.
Nothing in sight in front of him, nothing coming the opposite way for over half a mile.
But he felt the need to swerve accross the dotted line and block the entire road as soon as I put my indicators on - to stop me from even starting to pass.
The other halfs Fabia Sport attracts nutters, usually someone pulling out in front of you & not getting going, barging through rather than giving way, speeding up as you overtake, it happens so much it intimidates her. Happens to me too when I drive it whereas it doesn't in my cars (Audi A3 previously BMW 330 current).
My Dad used to have a Rover 216 GTI - early 'twin cam' shape & this attracted tail gaters, not letting you past types.
My Dad used to have a Rover 216 GTI - early 'twin cam' shape & this attracted tail gaters, not letting you past types.
funkyrobot said:
Overtook on a straight with good visbility and nothing coming the other way. Also gave the Golf plenty of room when pulling back in.
The driver of the Golf's response? Full beam headlights until I had disappeared into the distance on some twisty bits.
I had some dork doing this last week on my morning commute following an overtake. Also tailgated me through all the 30's. I saw the same idiot this morning tailgating someone else. Unfortunately for him you never know who you might be tailgating. Tomorrow morning if I see him, he will be getting some words of advice...The driver of the Golf's response? Full beam headlights until I had disappeared into the distance on some twisty bits.
I have never understood behaviour like it. If I can see someone behind wants to get past or wishes to travel faster, I make overtaking for them as easy as possible, or if it's a rural road I'll pull in. Very strange
The Curn said:
Yes on occasion this happens. In the old days I used to play along, but now I find it tedious and sometimes scary so I tend to avoid these situations.
For me it's normally lane 3 of the motorway on the way home and some 2.0d repmobile. You sit behind them at a safe distance in the remote hope that they may spot you and have the decency to move over in to the empty lane 2 that's presented itself, but after a couple of miles accept that they won't, so get a little closer, at which point they speed up so you drop back and then they slow down again.
Repeat until finally they let you pass and then move back out and tailgate you for the remainder of journey thus ruining the radio show or audio book that you are listening to. Very boring. I just don't get it. If somebody comes up quickly behind me and I can let them pass on any road I do. What is the point in ruining their journey and mine?
If lane 2 is empty why aren't you in it?For me it's normally lane 3 of the motorway on the way home and some 2.0d repmobile. You sit behind them at a safe distance in the remote hope that they may spot you and have the decency to move over in to the empty lane 2 that's presented itself, but after a couple of miles accept that they won't, so get a little closer, at which point they speed up so you drop back and then they slow down again.
Repeat until finally they let you pass and then move back out and tailgate you for the remainder of journey thus ruining the radio show or audio book that you are listening to. Very boring. I just don't get it. If somebody comes up quickly behind me and I can let them pass on any road I do. What is the point in ruining their journey and mine?
The Highway Code rule 264 said:
You should always drive in the left-hand lane when the road ahead is clear. If you are overtaking a number of slower-moving vehicles, you should return to the left-hand lane as soon as you are safely past. Slow-moving or speed-restricted vehicles should always remain in the left-hand lane of the carriageway unless overtaking. You MUST NOT drive on the hard shoulder except in an emergency or if directed to do so by the police, HA traffic officers in uniform or by signs.
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