Ran a red light (..not caught, had reason, would you have?)
Discussion
This morning on my way to work I changed lanes in the city centre. Car behind started flashing lights / horn et al. Ok, so I might have been a bit cheeky in "taking the space", but I didn't react to this, just carried on, trying to avoid confrontation.
200 yds later, traffic lights on busy roundabout (8am). Car is still behind me. Big b***er gets out and starts moving towards my door...I was at the front of the queue. In this situation would you: -
a) have a word
b) lamp him
c) cower in fear, ignoring the chap
d) drop the handbrake, look for a safe gap and scarper?
I chose (d), which with the missus in the car I was a bit wary of, running a red light (albeit onto a roundabout) isn't clever - but at the time I felt it was the safest thing to do, I then proceeded carefully to my destination...hoping the guy didn't catch up. Didn't get his reg plate, nor am I (in a panicy moment at the time!) certain of the colour of his focus. Just curious what others would have done, and what any likely repurcussions are if there's any over-diligent cctv camera operators in the area!
200 yds later, traffic lights on busy roundabout (8am). Car is still behind me. Big b***er gets out and starts moving towards my door...I was at the front of the queue. In this situation would you: -
a) have a word
b) lamp him
c) cower in fear, ignoring the chap
d) drop the handbrake, look for a safe gap and scarper?
I chose (d), which with the missus in the car I was a bit wary of, running a red light (albeit onto a roundabout) isn't clever - but at the time I felt it was the safest thing to do, I then proceeded carefully to my destination...hoping the guy didn't catch up. Didn't get his reg plate, nor am I (in a panicy moment at the time!) certain of the colour of his focus. Just curious what others would have done, and what any likely repurcussions are if there's any over-diligent cctv camera operators in the area!
Davi said:
Think I'd have done exactly the same as you TBH, red light camera's or not. I'd rather get a few points than end up in hospital, with the psycho's allowed to roam free nowadays it's not worth the risk.
Forgot to mention - no red light cameras, and nobody hurt, no near misses, just pulled onto it like a normal roundabout (although I guess it might have confused the people I nipped in front off on the roundabout, but hey, where I live people seem to ignore red lights anyway...or shoot them).
When you initially moved in and got flashed/beeped, it might have been worth just raising your hand to thank the oaf, may have diffused it from the start. If he lookied menacing etc and you genuinely thought you might be lamped or have the car damaged, then i can't see a problem with what you did. I certainly wouldn't have had a problem with it. At least you didn't get involved, road rage is a mugs game, i've no time for it.....
7db said:
Couldn't you have selected reverse first...?!
Hmmm...as tempting a suggestion as that is, he looked big enough to stop my little toy hatchback from going anywhere!
Hollywood Wheels said:
it might have been worth just raising your hand to thank the oaf, may have diffused it from the start.
Yes, perhaps - but I prefer not to react at all to things like that usually...I know this could be seen as ignorant, but I don't want to "risk" somebody interpreting it as two fingers, rather than a "sorry"/"thank you" wave.
Edited by tigger1 on Friday 9th June 15:48
Edited by tigger1 on Friday 9th June 15:48
That's funny, on my way into work I was cut up by someone in a small hatchback who caused me to do an emergency stop. When I got out to have a word, he ran a red light. Totally unacceptable, I've reported his driving to the police - fortunately I took a photo of him going through the red light with my camera phone.
SJobson said:
That's funny, on my way into work I was cut up by someone in a small hatchback who caused me to do an emergency stop. When I got out to have a word, he ran a red light. Totally unacceptable, I've reported his driving to the police - fortunately I took a photo of him going through the red light with my camera phone.
Are you sure digital photos are accepted ?
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