[Fidel_Castronaut]

So, naturally, a big hazard on the road are other drivers that don't seem to care one iota about anyone else on the road.

Driving on a busy overpass into Birmingham city centre, 2 lanes, always traffic regardless of the day, no real room to manoeuvre. So I'm on the outside lane doing 40 (which is the limit), and some idiot driving a black Toyota with illegal tinted windows (almost pitch black on the front screen) screams up behind me to about an inch within my bumper. I signal to get out the way, start to move left, and he just accelerates into the gap almost crashing into me and forcing me swerve almost into the barrier on the right separating the traffic. If I'd have crashed up there it would have been carnage being an overpass.

He then goes forward swerving into traffic giving me the finger as he goes past.

Ha. Some people eh? I'm not an aggressive or angry person but he really pi**ed me off. Could have killed me and so many other people, and he just didnt seem to care. I think I remember his number plate so ill report it to the local police station, although of course with no evidence no doubt nothing will happen unless he hasn't got insurance or tax (one can hope!).

I wish this was a rare case but unfortunately, in Birmingham, it isn't. Edited by: Fidel_Castronaut

 

[collos25]

I was suprised by how the standard of driving in the UK seems to have deterioted since my last visit but where my mother lives there seems very little chance of getting caught if you do stray of the straight and narrow.

 

[Itzben]

O you met me then!! Sorry I'm joking lol something happened to me the other week a car tried to cut in front of me because the car in front of him started indicating right, he swerved into my lane checked his mirror and pulled back out because he knew he was cutting me up, I approached the traffic lights, he was on my right with his window wound down hurling abuse at me, which as I'm not a aggressive person was quite shocked I'd didnt open my window but I heard him threatening to push me off the road. I went through the traffic lights and went to work. Lol this is the best bit a week and a half later a police woman knocked on my front door an the guy had reported me for threatening him, I couldn't believe it lolI actually did nothing wrong!!

 

[PeterWestSussex]

I used the on-line 'report an incident' (the first and only time) once. The level crossing gates were just opening and as I walked across, I looked into the first car coming towards me. It was driven by a young woman using a MOBILE PHONE and in her lap was a CAT!
The Police later rang me to say they had no record of the car description or the reg details I supplied.

Talking to the signalman later, he said to me "You wouldn't believe all the things I've seen and witnessed from this box"

 

[Markmod1]

I find I'm continuously bullied on the road in my up. Always cars flashing me from behind telling me to get of thier way, even if i'm doing the speed limit or moving freely with the traffic. I reckon it's the size of the small car, they are in a bigger car so must be more important and it's up to me to actually throw myself and my car into the ditch so they can sweep by majestically in their importance!

The larger car must mean they are more physically 'endowed' than me... Unfortunately this larger appendage is growing out of their fore head!

I am finding this is more and more often the case nowadays to be younger women too? The stereotypical 'boy racer' has taken a twist.Edited by: Markmod1

 

[Davec86]

I had some idiot right up my chuff earlier, I was doing maybe 28 in a 30, which I had just entered from a 40.
Middle aged guy in an MPV, he glared at me through the rear view mirror and waved his hands in the air, so I simply smiled and blew him a kiss.
He did not like that. Not at all. Amused me though. Halfwit.

 

[Markmod1]

Do you think it's the car... Or the roads in general nowadays?

 

[Davec86]

Definitely the roads in general, I see it all the time at work.

 

[ducatikid]

idiot in mercedes flashes me to move out of the outside lane. No place in the middle lane so I carry on regardless. The left hand lane disappears, so we are down to two lanes. I find a gap to the left and check mirror, just before doing the lane change. Good job as idiot in mercedes accelerates passed my car along the inside lane doing about 90 mph. I wish I had a camera and my own police man.

 

[Dadog]

There certainly seems to be a tendency for small city cars to be regarded as an inferior nuisance on the roads - usually, around here, coming from Audi and BMW drivers. I do tend to stick to signed speed limits which annoys them no end, especially in 30mph villages and towns. I enjoy a bit of speed as much as anybody but not in built up areas and towns. No point and very dangerous.

 

[Fidel_Castronaut]

There certainly seems to be a tendency for small city cars to be regarded as an inferior nuisance on the roads - usually, around here, coming from Audi and BMW drivers. I do tend to stick to signed speed limits which annoys them no end, especially in 30mph villages and towns. I enjoy a bit of speed as much as anybody but not in built up areas and towns. No point and very dangerous.

Completely agree. The overpass I was on is no place for speedy driving, let alone extremely dangerous undercutting and tailgating. Beside me coming the other way there was traffic doing 40 with a thin metal barrier, and on the left of the lane a drop into another duel-carriage way.

I drive a mito, so it's not as small as the UP, but I always get the sense that folk in larger cars tend to think they've got right of way.

One small bit of satisfaction I've had on the road. My dad drives an SL 500 5 ltr V8, so a powerful piece of kit. He's also an emergency vehicle driver (ambulances and Fire engines), and was trained to drive vehicles in the marines (well, back in the 80s, heh). Going down the motor way at just under 8- in it down to London, a civic R decides to tailgate him on the middle lane (no traffic on the right). He over takes, so my dad just overtakes him back and slows down in front of him. Was funny watching a chavy little civic attempt to cut up a V8.

And I do notice more often than not in inner cities it's chavy drivers that cause a lot of the problems.

Edited by: Fidel_Castronaut

 

[Night Owl]

Evening Folks. For what it is worth here is my take on this debate. In our little red Up! I have been, once or twice, " hassled". In our last car....a dark coloured big saloon this rarely happened.I think other road users ...some of them...see a smaller car in front of them and think slow...that is going to hold me up so I must pass as soon as I can. Of course when you pull away from the lights before them...they think again. Asan aside we also have an A class camper...which when you see it coming towards you looks like a coach....Never had a problem in the camper. maybe because in that we are a lot bigger!
Go well.

 

[Roger the Shrubber]

Jeez,
don't get me started on BMW/Audi drivers again

 

[Allybasher]

I have had several dorks in Audis try it on with me in the Up. I actually (not big or clever I know) gave one guy in an A3 who was trying to cut me up a surprise by revving its little bits off and leaving him standing. They go surprisingly well when given the welly. Don't try this at home kids.

Generally though, I do a high mileage and the general standard of driving is depressingly low, particularly in cities I feel.


You know what they say about men with big cars guys - we drive Ups.....

 

[AGE1950]

Nothing changes. I was driving an Escort Mexico (1976) at 35 in a 50 when a car loaded with kids (well they were younger than me) cut me up. With a flick of the short gear stick and a bit of acceleration I returned the compliment leaving them on the grass verge. I wonder if he learned a lesson that day.

 

[Night Owl]

Nearly to the point where I can give it some "welly " Can't wait.
Standard of driving does seems to be dropping in general....although I know some young people who are very good drivers and "nice human beings"

Men and BIG cars.....The Up! is a Tardis .

Go well.

 

[Miaup]

I have this on a daily basis. White van man pulled out in front of me. Also when on a round about all cars seem to pull out from the approaching junction so I then have to slow down to miss them. Its like they don't see the car. Trucks are the worst for this

 

[M4796P]

I know that stretch of road very well. The A38M into Birmingham is notoriously bad for accidents. I used to travel that road every Saturday for about 10 years, aswell as other times, and I wish I had a pound for every accident that I'd seen on there. As with most cities you get some right idiots using the road, but for some reason that road attracts them. The standard of driving is especially poor, with people "racing" to get to work etc.
As for the bullying, that is also very common on there. If your travelling at the speed limit, then it's just not fast enough for some people, just like the motorway, and they try to force you to move out of the way. I just used to let them get past, and hope that the police would eventually pull them over. But with a city as large as Birmingham, they can't be everywhere all of the time.
Shame really as some of these people need an arse kicking, not just pulling by the police.

Matt

 

[skyhigh]

My general rule is the more expensive the car, the worse the driver is.

(Unless they own an up/are a member of this forum!)Edited by: skyhigh

 

[Allybasher]

I know that stretch of road very well. The A38M into Birmingham is notoriously bad for accidents. I used to travel that road every Saturday for about 10 years, aswell as other times, and I wish I had a pound for every accident that I'd seen on there. As with most cities you get some right idiots using the road, but for some reason that road attracts them. The standard of driving is especially poor, with people "racing" to get to work etc.
As for the bullying, that is also very common on there. If your travelling at the speed limit, then it's just not fast enough for some people, just like the motorway, and they try to force you to move out of the way. I just used to let them get past, and hope that the police would eventually pull them over. But with a city as large as Birmingham, they can't be everywhere all of the time.
Shame really as some of these people need an arse kicking, not just pulling by the police.

Matt

I always find that the A38 between Spaghetti Junction and Minworth is like a cross between Death Race 2000 and a demolition derby. I drove down there the other day and my blood pressure rose to dangerous levels. Everyone seemed to be wanting to force their way in front of me at once. It is always a great relief to get past Minworth island and away towards Lichfield.


I was fantasising that I had a couple of 20mm cannon on the front of the car. If only. Just a paint ball gun would do at a push.