Driver confrontation question

[ohnovino]

I made a New Years Resolution to stop confronting drivers, and I'm far happier for it. I'd never get a satisfactory response (it's not as if they're going to say "Oh, you're completely right, I'm so sorry, I've learnt my lesson now") and the confrontation would leave me angrier than the original incident. Now I find if I let it go then it's forgotten in a matter of minutes.

 

[rich p]

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]

That's hilarious! Cheers Gaz!

I wanted to give that cyclist the finger too

 

[Bicycle]

I find things generally pan out better for everyone if I just let them go. This can appear spineless to some, but it's a big, strange old world and it can be full of surprises.

The Traffic Roid video was alarming in a way. Certainly, the driver was showing poor awareness and a selfish desire to make progress at the initial pedestrian crossing. There's no doubt it was poor driving. One sees that all the time; worse that, he drove on after another road user (Traffic Roid) had already stopped.

Worth noting, though, that the pedestrian was aware the car wasn't yielding and had not stepped out.

But... Roid then goes on a sort of verbal-vendetta crusade and embarrasses himself. I don't find his roadcraft great and he may have an issue or two. Engaging the patrons of a pavement cafe like a street preacher (and being ignored by all) is a worrying sign.
It's clear that it isn't Gaz in the vid; for all my wariness of HelmCammery, I find Gaz's clips are usually well presented, well argued and often very helpful. He is one of the excellent Helmet Cam brigade who wreck many of my prejudices..

Getting back to the original question, I still think it's often better to let it go. The shouter gets crosser, the original offender gets crosser... much adrealin is produced and either there's a fight or all that adrenalin just goes straight through the throttle pedal...

(Slightly OT digression: I spent a lot of time some years ago in S E Europe where at that time a culture of Gjakemarrje was still common. It's a strict social code of blood revenge. Very horrid, but it has some plus points. Nobody gets into silly, heated arguments in the street. It's not worth it; if you offend a man he has the right to swear blood against you and if it's agreed that you've offended him, that's it for you. There are strict rules to the matter, laid out hundreds of tears ago in a solemn text, but the end resiult is often a bloody death. It's a bit extreme and I couldn't live under it, but down where I was living there were no petty traffic disputes, probably because of that social code.)

I think everyone has their own red line. In my experience of many years in traffic and many years of having to talk to very cross people in fairly bloody ethnic conflicts, the more sang-froid you can muster, the better your chances of coming out smiling.

Also, it's worth noting that for many motorists a 'self-gratification artist' hand signal or a wave that looks a little like one is seen as provocation. I have no idea why some people have such thin skins, but they do. It's not just motorists...

 

[dellzeqq]

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'

er, yes...............as in no.............as in whatever.........

 

[dellzeqq]

Norm's point about treating each case on its merits is clearly right. It's only worth making a point if it has an effect - and, in that respect, the OP threading his way by a stationary car 200 metres after the hooting episode is making a point. A cheery wave would make the point to greater effect.

I think as a general rule we have to bear in mind that ours is a nobler calling and we are, by definition, happier, healthier, sexier and all round beautiliciouser than they are. If we seek to convey this (in a kindly way, because one should always be nice to those less advantaged than ourselves) then that's all good.

 

[400bhp]

Forgot about this but I had a right t1t on Friday night.

An guy in an Audi TT was in the wrong side of this road (when there were no parked cars), not going particularly fast (perhaps 10mph). I was behind and tentively started to look to go past on the left, when he started to veer left.

I went past him on the right and he was texting away. I just shouted hello, he looked up and I waved.

I think he got the point-he pulled over and must have stopped.

I could have reacted angrily but that's not doing anyone any afvours

 

[PK99]

at the start when the driver sped over the pedestrian crossing when people were crossing.

Not wishing to defend the driver but: he did not do that. The pedestrian was still on the pavement and from the highway code:

Remember that traffic does not have to stop until someone has moved onto the crossing.

- one foot on the crossing obliges the driver to stop, standing waiting on the pavement does not. The pedestrian stopped and looked while the car was within the zig-zags, should he have been going slower, probably, but to stop would have required sharp braking


Later in the video, the cyclist drops the card through the car window while undertaking at speed (the video is slowed) on the zig-zags of a pedestrian crossing, and actually posts the card while undrtaking on the crossing

 

[MrHappyCyclist]

I find things generally pan out better for everyone if I just let them go.

How do you know that? Do you do a follow-up questionaire or something?

 

[Norm]

One memorable one which I think might have had an influence on the driver was a woman in a Mini who pulled alongside and said "I've had to overtake you six times."

She did actually look as if it meant something when I replied "That's ok, I've fine past you six times as well."

 

[Scilly Suffolk]

I think as a general rule we have to bear in mind that ours is a nobler calling and we are, by definition, happier, healthier, sexier and all round beautiliciouser than they are. If we seek to convey this (in a kindly way, because one should always be nice to those less advantaged than ourselves) then that's all good.

Spot on Dellzeqq! You'll catch more flies with sugar, than shoot...

PS Shouldn't it be "more beautlicious"?

 

[John the Monkey]

I went past him on the right and he was texting away. I just shouted hello, he looked up and I waved.

Best thing about the winter is the way their phone screens light up their faces.

Watch out for it, and make sure they're nowhere near you.

 

[Bicycle]

How do you know that? Do you do a follow-up questionaire or something?

Tee Hee... Yes, I drop them through open car windows as I ride past the offender...

No... Not really. Just kidding. I see people in spats on the road and rarely see anyone 'win'.

I try not to encourage spats, either by my riding/driving or by my reaction to the way others ride/drive.

I find I enjoy road use much more than many people who like to point out the faults or weakenesses in the riding or driving of others.

Maybe I'm just very lucky. Or maybe it's better not to poke venomous snales with a stick...

 

[BSRU]

I think there is no point confronting drivers, since there stuck in a metal cage there probably stressed and in a bad mood already.

Most people do not appreciate being told they did something wrong by a complete stranger.

 

[martint235]

Sometimes I just can't help myself, I've even been known to chase after errant car drivers at speed. If I do catch them, 80% won't even talk to me and the other 20% just swear and rant about road tax. Offers to discuss the issue calmly at the side of the road are always refused.

I'm really trying to give it up particularly after doing it on two rides for food, the first time I screwed my achilles tendon by launching into a full on sprint with muscles tight from over 100 miles and the second I went haring after a taxi in the middle of nowhere expecting traffic lights to stop him some time soon (they didn't, they don't have them on straight country lanes apparently) and missed the turning for the route. Felt a bit of a numpty!

 

[fossyant]

I think there is no point confronting drivers, since there stuck in a metal cage there probably stressed and in a bad mood already.

Most people do not appreciate being told they did something wrong by a complete stranger.

This lady this morning was like that, hence no stopping to engage them in conversation. She must have been ranting with all the bad traffic.

Me, on the other hand had a brief chat with a guy on a flash looking CX bike a couple of miles later.