Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Craig]

Right, i'm going to go on a bit of a rant now so here goes!

How do you deal with impatient road users when your out in your classic?

The first time i got my Anglia on the road i was all excited and went for a drive. I pulled into the second lane of a duel carriageway to go right on a rundabout. Guy behind me dissaproves of this legal manuver and starts flashing and waving in anger. He followed me in anger (flashing and waving) for about a mile untill he had the chance to overtake.
I pull into the middle of the road so he cant which makes his temper worse. Anyway i pull in and quickly jump out, bear in mind i'm 24 and fairly big, not the 80 year old he was expecting. He speeds past without making eye contact while i sit still for a bit to calm down.
If he would of pulled in behind me i think i'd still be in prison now. I was shaking with rage toward this PRAT.

Today i was heading home and was overtaken by 2 thugs in a cavalier. The passenger places his middle finger up to his window while my blood boiled. I gave it back but it took a further 10 minutes to calm back down.

I am a calm person usually but this makes me mad. Why cant people respect that it's an old car and your not going to get past untill the road is clear. I usually pull in if the que builds up, dont have to but i do.

Anyone else get mad or is it just me? What do you do to deal with it?

[Greeney in France]

OOOOhhh I can use my professional head, trouble is, as a forensic psychologist i usually deal with the crime after its happened
Seriously though you have to be oblivious, they are the idiots NOT you, they are the imbeciles NOT you.
If no one is in the car with you to do so, talk calmly to yourself, out loud
Remember the Cameron and Noye incident on the M25 a few years back Cameron lost his life because he did exactly what you did and Noye did not drive past

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We do these things not to escape life but to prevent life escaping us

[buzzy bee]

Hi

In the Ford, I did just that, pulled into the outside lane for a roundabout, got a few people very close to me, but at 25mph ish, and slowing down, with very little in the way of brakes, they were getting wound up.

I found myself getting wound up once, when I first had my mini, I was going a fair speed, I thought, 40ish, so I had to talk to myself.

Now, when ever anyone drives in an stupid way, or anoys me, I just shake my head, looking at them. Believe you me, if they see you, it will mean more to them than any shouting or cursing etc. Try it and you will see what I mean, makes you feel better too!

Cheers

Dave

[Old-Nail]

I can speak from the opposite point of view Craig, similar sort of thing with the thug happened to me once ten years ago, we both jumped out to settle our differences only he decided to bring a weapon along with him.

Regardless of his advantage I knocked seven colours of Sh*te out of him, i was after all fighting for my life.
Result? He went to hospital, I went to Strangeways prison! The Police don't care who started it, they just arrest the winner.

My advice, look at their faces when they pass and say to yourself "I've always wanted to know what a complete tosser looks like...and there one is" A bit of humour takes the sting out of it I find!

[Scotty]

Craig - the world is full of fannies, and they all want to be at the front of the queue. Regardless of whether you were in a brand new Viper or a vintage De Dion they would have an issue with you being on the road.

Try to get used to it fella and let it wash over you as best you can, its all part of the joy of daring to be different!

[Job-Rated]

I'm with Buzzy on this - getting angry about it does you or your heart no good whatsoever.

A broad grin works wonders. I've had a few years in the service industry & the 'plastic smile' has helped.
In fact, it works so well I usually end up laughing out loud.

I always say to myself, their punishment is who they are.
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Don't run your fingers over my truck & I won't run my truck over your fingers!


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[Uncle Joe]

I wonder how much of this road rage we come across today is caused by speed cameras? People being so scared to exceed the speed limit that they drive well under it just to avoid the fine. This in its turn could mean that they concentrate so much on their speed, they forget about other things, such as indicators, other road users and so on....

Just a thought..

[peter scott]

I can't say I've encountered many angry motorists when driving my old car but I do sometimes have problems when driving my normal car slowly.

Rant on
When I say, slowly, I mean 50mph on dual carriageways and A class roads.

Most folk are ok but now and again you get those that never learned to overtake and think they can persuade you to drive faster by sitting on your back bumper. On dual carriageways I just don't understand why they won't just pull out and drive on so I progressively slow down until they get the message. It always works.

On A class roads I do appreciate that some folk are incapable of changing down a gear or falling back and accelerating prior to likely overtaking spots
so I generally will slow down and keep well to the left on anything I think suitable and will indicate left. If they don't respond I will generally pull in and stop to get rid of them.

It's strange, some people just don't understand distance between vehicles.
It's so much more relaxing to drive with large gaps on the open road and it allows overtakers to slot in when passing large queues.

Whereas in most towns lots of people don't seem to understand that traffic
lights seek out large gaps when changing to red.

Rant off

Peter

[Old-Nail]

[47p2]

I find the biggest problem when driving the P2 is being overtaken, and as the car is passing the driver decides to look at the P2, thus not paying attention, usually slowing down in the process and realising almost too late what he has done as a car travelling in the opposite direction narrowly misses him. The offending driver then passes me and cuts in too soon causing me to slam on the anchors........It does get on my goat.

As for modern cars tailgating and tryng to wind me up, I totally ignore them. I drive along minding my own business and doing everything by the book. If by chance I do get caught up in their roadrage I like to give them a big cheesey grin. That usually wipes the smile off their faces
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ROVER
One of Britain's Fine Cars

[pigtin]

I was cut up by a car with a placard in the rear window reading 'Small Person On Board' there'll be trouble if I ever catch the little bu***r.

[Marksmini]

Smile and wave,

does the trick for me.
or though doesnt help matters.

[old gto]

You could try a bumper sticker that I`ve seen over here....
"Keep honking, I`m re-loading!"
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"The only thing I`m sure of.....is that I`m not sure of anything!"

[Marksmini]

ive always thought of using the message boards you can put into your car, so i can type something in like middle lane hogger or whats the rush etc and have it displayed in the window. down side is they arnt cheap.

[Scotty]

When I was in the US there Pep Boys were selling registration plate surrounds that you could display your own message onto an electronic display built into it. Don't know if you could add a message in "real time" though.