Driver confrontation question

[al78]

I appreciate this is a controversial topic, so bear in mind this is posted purely for information, not to start an argument.

I was watching Magnaton's recent video and the responses to it and it got me thinking of a (fairly) recent incident I had on my way home from work. I was approaching a roundabout at which I wanted to turn right, when I got to roughly this point and with a queue behind* I did a shoulder check in preparation to move across to the right. As there was a gap I moved across but then the driver behind blasted his horn at me and then proceeded to floor it past (much too close for comfort) less than 200 yards from the roundabout; it is impossible to see anything coming the other way that would be turning left at that roundabout so if something had come round at that point there would have been a serious accident. As soon as I had reached the roundabout and turned right I could see the driver had got caught up in a traffic jam that tends to form at that time of the evening and is due to the second roundabout at the Broadbridge Heath bypass. It did cross my mind at this point to go and have a word with the driver but I didn't have the courage for it and would not be sure how to handle the situation if it escalated. The thing is, in your opinion should I have gone and said something?

*the reason I didn't pull into the layby to let the queue past is because once I am past the roundabout there is sufficient road space for vehicles behind to overtake safely. Having said that I have tended to pull in now as it is probably safer to let drivers past if they have been stuck behind me for more than 20-30 seconds and then take the lane whilst the road is quiet.

 

[gaz]

There is zero point in remonstrating with drivers. In most cases it will end in a pointless argument, in some it will end with assault.
For example:

[media]
]View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNZVj29jDOA[/media]

 

[Norm]

It's a tough call, and it depends on local knowledge and specific conditions, but I wouldn't usually be looking to take a position that far (200 yards) in advance of the roundabout, but then I wouldn't usually pull into a lay-by to let them past either.

That particular roundabout is right turn other than the entry to the trading estate, but how much traffic actually goes straight over? There's a bit of an island just before the roundabout, I think I'd be looking to move over about 10 yards before that.

 

[slowmotion]

Just.....let......it.....go....

It really isn't worth it. IMVVHO.

 

[Norm]

What a dreadful piece of cycling that is, Gaz. Never out of the door zone, only one shoulder check in 5 minutes, even when swinging across the road in front of someone who he knows has a poor driving standard, and then stopping in the middle of the road to ask "Did you see that", again without a shoulder check.

Ironic that the video says "Review yourself, Buddy! You might learn something".

 

[Crankarm]

There is zero point in remonstrating with drivers. In most cases it will end in a pointless argument, in some it will end with assault.
For example:

[media]
]View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNZVj29jDOA[/media]

Where's there an assault Gaz?

The driving was frankly dangerous especially at the start when the driver sped over the pedestrian crossing when people were crossing. But Traffic Droid clearly has issues himself. He should just get on with his own life rather than ranting and railing to people who will think he is a care in the community patient. You don't argue with drivers of big cars like that or any car that clearly could cause you a lot of harm. Having antagonsied him by pulling his tail too many times he still rides off in front of him!!! What a bell end. He will take on / annoy some one who WILL run him down. One is a long time dead. And what for? It's not worth it. Traffic Droid clearly has issues.

 

[daSmirnov]

Obviously it's safer just to pass by. But then with the adrenalin flowing it can be hard to resist.

If you are going to do it, don't go overboard chasing people down like some individuals who won't be named, and don't lose your cool. Speak calmly and don't go flapping your arms around either.

Oh and keep in mind the incident last month where a cyclist was deliberately run over for asking 3 chaps to move their car off a footpath. And that was only around the corner from there. You never know what sort of nut might be in a car.

My way of dealing with things is usually complaining under my breath safe in the knowledge that they'll end up on YouTube.

 

[mr_hippo]

If there is no point in remonstrating with drivers, why did you? The pedestrian at the crossing was, as we were all taught to do, waiting and making sure it was safe to cross.

At about 2 mins 37 secs you sais "Where is he? I want to gove hin a self analysis ticket" That is not wanting to avoid confrontation but to start it.

Around 4 mins 20 secs, you start playing to the gallery with your "Did you see that?" outburst - wow!

So you have prosecuted people before, have you? I never knew you were a member of the legal profession.

What happened at 5 minutes 15 seconds? Man and woman window shopping, man with two kiddies and a buggy, plenty of space to your right and yet you go between them almost hitting the window shopper and one kiddie - isn;t that a "close overtake"?

Gaz, if this is not your video, comments are directed at 'traffic droid'

 

[Jonno Boy]

Make them wait; it's their problem. You have every right to be there; stand up for yourself! I would.

 

[ManiaMuse]

If someone passes me like a dick and I manage to catch up just down the road I will make a point of sitting in front of them and scratching my ass.

If the pass was really bad I might even show them a bit of ass crack.

 

[BentMikey]

It's much better not to confront drivers, and that's made easier by having both cameras and Roadsafe to do it via a letter days afterwards. OTOH sometimes it can be almost irresistable to talk to them.

 

[John the Monkey]

I find it wearying & dispiriting, tbh.

Sometimes it's unavoidable, as the driver will accost you, but I don't bother in most cases.

I've written to companies to praise good driving, and complain about poor driving - in general, little changes after the latter, ime, although occasionally I get a nice leaflet.

 

[400bhp]

Sitting here in a nice warm comfy office, it's very easy for me to say just ignore it.

On the road, and given the particular circumstances it's very hard to just ignore.

You did the right thing walking away. There's usually very little to be gained by remonstraing with drivers. The odd one will apologise, but this is seldom.

 

[Hip Priest]

I'd say it's always best to avoid confrontation, if possible. I had my first argument with a motorist last week and it made me feel bad for the whole day. I resolved to treat similar incidents of bad driving with a few quiet words under my breath.

Re: Traffic Droid - as someone above said, he doesn't just get involved in confrontations, he goes looking for them. Nearly getting himself hurt over incidents that didn't even involve him.

 

[fossyant]

Classic this morning.<BR><BR>Following a transit in primary, traffic is going slow - it's busy and I'm doing about 20 mph and on the brakes as it's down hill. I'm about 10-15 feet from the back of the van, in primary.<BR><BR>Next thing I hear a car whizzing up to overtake, the bonet comes level, then procedes to cut me off. By now I'm hevel with the passenger window, and make pushing signals. Driver backs off and I turn and "say what are you doing".<BR><BR>Traffic is still slow, so I'm still in primary now, can see headlights of car reflecting off the van and it's close, and keeps edging out over the white line.<BR><BR>We're now coming up to a junction, traffic is slowing, she goes for it again. This time I showt 'back off where are you going'.<BR><BR>It's getting dangerous now, so I switch left and filter through the traffic. I was now gone. Never saw the car again.<BR><BR>A pure case of 'must get past cyclist'. Stupid. <BR><BR>It's really not worth stopping and having a conversation - just get's you wound up about their stupidity, and you never know when one is a knuckle head, or is stupid enough to think bumping you with the car is fun.