Driver confrontation question

[400bhp]

No you haven't. And do stop apologising. My point was simple - it isn't intimidating for cyclists to tap on drivers' windows, any more than it is intimidating to knock on someone's front door. People who feel intimidated by it probably shouldn't drive.

That's a little bit strong.

You're assuming that, a) the cyclist "taps" on the window in a non-threatening manner, and b) the cyclists will behave rationally.

Perhaps it's the thought of what might happen that is the intimidation, rather than the act in itself of banging the window?

Who are we to say/judge if people do/don't feel threatened in certain situations? We could apply the same logic to cycling and some situations out on the road.

 

[Hip Priest]

I answer my door to people a few times a week. I've never had anyone tap on my car window. Therefore, the former is commonplace and doesn't alarm me. Whereas the latter, being extremely unusual, would put me on my guard.

 

[PK99]

You're assuming that, a) the cyclist "taps" on the window in a non-threatening manner, and b) the cyclists will behave rationally.

.... and from some of the videos posted on line, that is not a valid assumption to make

 

[theclaud]

That's a little bit strong.

You're assuming that, a) the cyclist "taps" on the window in a non-threatening manner, and b) the cyclists will behave rationally.

Perhaps it's the thought of what might happen that is the intimidation, rather than the act in itself of banging the window?

Who are we to say/judge if people do/don't feel threatened in certain situations? We could apply the same logic to cycling and some situations out on the road.

It's a bit like Tony Blair not grasping the difference between begging and mugging. One might behave in any number of ways, but the possibility doesn't make the act of tapping on the window intimidating in itself. That motorists sometimes react as if the act of tapping on a window is some kind of shocking intrusion, impertinence or threat is their problem.

 

[Bicycle]

It's a bit like Tony Blair not grasping the difference between begging and mugging. One might behave in any number of ways, but the possibility doesn't make the act of tapping on the window intimidating in itself. That motorists sometimes react as if the act of tapping on a window is some kind of shocking intrusion, impertinence or threat is their problem.

I paste, below, the passage (entry #78) that seems to have been the cause this recent discussion on window tapping:

As a comment: It can be quite intimidating to have a road user approach you in traffic and tap on a window. It hasn't happened to me, but women I know have been quite freaked out by it. That may sound silly, but in the first two seconds you have no clue as to the motive of the 'tapper'.

Before now I've flashed people who had a flat rear (hard to detect from inside some cars) and they gave me the finger when they saw me pointing at their wheel. I do sometimes think that are initial responses (motorist and cyclist) are now set far more on 'defence' mode than 'dialogue' mode.

Personally, I'd have no problem with someone tapping on my car window - but I can see how some might take it as somehow intrusive or threatening."

I'm not sure anyone currently in this discussion is suggesting that the act of tapping on a window is intimidating in itself. I certainly didn't say that.

What is being said here (as quoted above) is that some road users might take it as somehow intrusive or threatening.

That is not 'their problem' as you suggest it is.

I've been to weddings in Montenegro where the male party surround the bride's father's house and fire into the air until he emerges with his daughter (the bride). It's spectacular, it's traditional and it's expected. It is somehow magnificent to behold. I've even been mocked for showing up at a wedding without a weapon. Once the bride has emerged, magazines are emptied in celebration. It is very noisy.

However, had anyone happy-fired into the air in celebration at my wedding in London, I might have felt slightly threatened. A person's reponse in these situations is not a function of the intent of the happy-shooter or the window-tapper. Both could be perfectly benign and usually are.

The issue is that some road users find the action of tapping on their window disquieting. I don't. Some do. It's just worth bearing in mind.

It's not 'their problem' and it doesn't mean they probably shouldn't be driving.

 

[dellzeqq]

I answer my door to people a few times a week. I've never had anyone tap on my car window. Therefore, the former is commonplace and doesn't alarm me. Whereas the latter, being extremely unusual, would put me on my guard.

then you must be one of the goldfish folk who don't respond when I seek to point out, in an entirely helpful way that one of their rear lights isn't working.

 

[MrHappyCyclist]

then you must be one of the goldfish folk who don't respond when I seek to point out, in an entirely helpful way that one of their rear lights isn't working.

A few weeks ago, I waved to the driver of the car in front at the lights and pointed to the nearside rear of his car. He jumped out of the car and starting shouting at me "you shouldn't be f*****g going up there". Strangely, he didn't thank me when I asked him whether he had finished, and then told him calmly that his nearside brake light wasn't working, but he did get back in his car.

 

[snapper_37]

Last week I passed a car edging out at a junction with no lights on. I gestured and shouted 'no lights' as best I could. A couple of minutes later he came hurtling up beside me at some lights and asked me quite aggressively what my problem was. I said 'Nothing but you've got no lights on'. He apologised profusely and said he thought I was having a go at him for edging out. Bless.

Sometimes, with gestures, translation is completely lost.

 

[Bicycle]

Back when i was a courier, I was enjoying a slightly competative urban race-type thing with a Cavalier. I was on a Guzzi.

It was raining stair-rods and the road was like a rink. Not the night for enthusiastic riding, but I was young.

After some passing to and fro I threw my nike across the tarmac at Old Street roundabout.

Mr cavalier man stopped and opened his door... I was prepared for the worst as I sat up and looked for my bike.

"I say, that looked terribly painful. Are you alright old boy?"

I was so happy, I forgot all about the pain and the broken indicators.

Some drivers who intervene are not entirely horrid.

 

[theclaud]

I've been to weddings in Montenegro where the male party surround the bride's father's house and fire into the air until he emerges with his daughter (the bride). It's spectacular, it's traditional and it's expected. It is somehow magnificent to behold. I've even been mocked for showing up at a wedding without a weapon. Once the bride has emerged, magazines are emptied in celebration. it is very noisy.

However, had anyone happy-fired into the air in celebration at my wedding in London, I might have felt slightly threatened.

You're caught in a furious spiral of irrelevance. None of this is interesting.

 

[col]

then you must be one of the goldfish folk who don't respond when I seek to point out, in an entirely helpful way that one of their rear lights isn't working.

Personally Id just mind my own business

 

[BentMikey]

Simon is minding his own business, and being socially responsible too. He's helping the driver, helping himself, and helping other people who will encounter that driver and their working/not working lights in the future.

 

[col]

No you haven't. And do stop apologising. My point was simple - it isn't intimidating for cyclists to tap on drivers' windows, any more than it is intimidating to knock on someone's front door. People who feel intimidated by it probably shouldn't drive.

Thats where the inteligence ends in my opinion, what makes you think you know whats going through a drivers mind, when an angry person who might have been unintentially cut up( add any of a large number of reasons here) is knocking on a cars window? If I find myself in this position, the first thing Il say is stop and back off, if they dont then to me they are being aggressive and threatening, and Ill act accordingly.
If someone is knocking on my door, Ill answer it. Unless of course my house has cut up a cyclist and its an angry cyclist knocking

 

[col]

Well, that is typical col behaviour. Don't expect too much quality debate.

hahahahaha great to see you bent. Im guessing quality to you means agreement from everyone.
Dont agree and its bad quality

 

[theclaud]

Thats where the inteligence ends in my opinion, what makes you think you know whats going through a drivers mind, when an angry person who might have been unintentially cut up( add any of a large number of reasons here) is knocking on a cars window? If I find myself in this position, the first thing Il say is stop and back off, if they dont then to me they are being aggressive and threatening, and Ill act accordingly.
If someone is knocking on my door, Ill answer it. Unless of course my house has cut up a cyclist and its an angry cyclist knocking

If I meet anyone who expresses an interest in your opinion, I'll be sure to let them know...