[foot-loose]

I am a fairly calm person most of the time. I don't easily get wound up. Certainly not over things like an old lady in the queue in front of me taking her time walking forwards.

Why then, did I catch myself getting pretty irate at some old dude in front of me in a set of road works earlier who was travelling at (wait for it) the 30 limit? He could easily have broken the law and sped up to 34 and caught up with the queue of cars at least 400 meters in front of him?

It's something I've noticed before - people get themselves wound up so much in their cars in situations that they wouldn't think about if it happened elsewhere. People swear and shout and flail their arms about like its gonna make any difference when all that really happens is that folk get pissed off so an accident is more likely to happen.

Why is this?

[claradooblue]

If we all knew the answer to that , Emergency breakdown services would go out of business.

[kendra k]

it's because people feel like they're in their own little egg on the road and get overly protective. it's why i swear and shake my fist and such. my dad has horrible road rage tendencies and nearly made me puke this weekend with his tailgating.

[Ballbag]

I tend to get a little irate on the road quite often, as I don't tolerate idiots. But I've modified the ballbag wagon to help me get back at those who may cross me. I've used a needle to direct my left most water jet on the front windscreen (windshield for you Kendra) to point at roughly a right angle to the left. Now this only really works on motorways of duel carriageways.
I then seek out my nemesis, or those who have annoyed me, and as I overtake them to pull along side I give them a few flashes with the front beams to demonstrate my annoyance with them. Often people will wind down their windows in order to shout back/ask what I'm doing, by this point I'm in a sufficient position and with a few tugs on the lever I can usually give their faces a right good soaking. It works espeicially well with convertibles.

P.S. with convertibles, you generally get better coverage by being in front of them when ejecting the water.
P.P.S. add a little vinegar to your water resevoir, it helps reduce streaks, and also adds a little spice to the face soaking.

[foot-loose]

aaaaaaahahahahaha - that is brilliant.

I can't do that to our cars, but its a cracking idea.

[foot-loose]

Was it someone on here who suggested Caravan Baiting? I'm well up for doing that on my next road trip up north!

[foot-loose]

Further north.

Off up the top.

[Ballbag]

Two things to note, never do it when in slow traffic, and don't do it if the nemesis has a "nutter look" about him. I once made both mistakes at once. The ballbag wagon of the time was an old (proper) beetle, and whilst out one day I squirted this dude for under cutting me very dangerously. I got him right slap bang in the kisser, great success. The next thing I knew I hit a red light. Horror of horrors. I looked back and saw him three cars or so away getting out of his car........ he was huge. As he came towards me I locked the doors and tried to edge forward as much as possible. Luckily just as he got near the passenger door the lights went green and I wheel spinned away, not before squirting him again.
As I looked back I saw loads of people beeping and telling him to get back into his car. I then drove into the nearest B&Q car park to hide whilst he drove past.
Twas quite a buzz in retrospect, but I don't advise it.

[foot-loose]

So basically its the playground code of only pick on those smaller and weaker than you. Grannies are a fair cop? White vans are not ideal.

[kendra k]

over here all white pickup trucks are driven by jerks. it must be a law or something.

[Boboff]

Caravan Bating is great fun, I have mentioned it before, it's best with back seat passangers who can really get the concern in there faces whilst passing and pointing to the back of the Van, we managed to get 8 to pull over between Plymouth & Exeter, about 38 miles, perhaps Guiness might like to add that ?

[MK Chris]

Road rage is a funny thing, it's amazing how normally laid-back people (of which I like to think I am one) become completely different people behind the wheel (I also like to think I don't get pulled into this trap, but occasionally I do). It also happens with some people, when they play sports - I've seen the nicest people you could ever wish to meet become complete arseholes when playing sport.

[Yudster]

I don't mind white vans, the people who drive them are quite nice to me.

I bet they are you little minx.

[foot-loose]

My only fear would be that they would catch up with us - the road north is a single carridgeway most of the way - theres only so many places to overtake and / or stop!

I think it may be a risk im willing to take though.

[MK Chris]

Trouble is I might get the temptation to do it randomly for a laugh, then I'd be in trouble.

[Yudster]

Road rage is a disease of the weekend, I find.

[Boboff]

I like to do the following.

Where you are expected to merge in turn and have a tit on your arse who is not going to let any one in, wait until they are right behind you then stop, wind down you window and gesture for at least six cars to pull in front of said BMW driver, and go in in frount of you, the smiles and waves you get are fun, the anger in BMW drivers face is priceless, and most of all you are encouraging the opposite of Road rage, Highway Happiness, go on try it tonight, see if by being especially polite, and nice you can get someone to wave and look at you, smile and say thank you... PS don't worry if you are nice to some women and they don't acknowledge you, they have allot on their minds, and the Husband is cheating on them, so smile at them any way.

The route to arriving home full of Joy, and not Rage, Highway Happiness, share some with a stranger today !

[MK Chris]

That does annoy me actually - letting someone in and not getting a thanks. Not that I do anything about it, but common courtesy costs nothing.

[foot-loose]

Yup me too topher - I wis talkin to a mate at the weekend and we have agreed that its fair enough, everyone makes a mistake by cutting in front of someone now and then, but when you don't get a wave or an acknowledgement of some way, its irritating.

Offbob - the rule is straight forward: When there is a "merge in turn 800 yards ahead" you have from there untill the 400 yrds warning to start making moves to get in. By the 400 - 200 yrds marker you really should be moving yer ass outta that lane. If someone has tried skipping the queue all the way to the front and has gone past the 200 yards marker and the cones are in front of them, "tough luck mate, yer going nowhere in front of me"!

[MK Chris]

Haha I can picture you mouthing thank you enthusiastically as you cross the road. I'm not bothered about zebra crossings and such, because as a motorist it is your duty to stop - it's when you let someone out of a turning or let them through when you don't technically have to do so and really they could have let you out as well, they should at least say thanks.

[MK Chris]

You got hit by a car? I was knocked off my bike by one once. I wasn't really hurt, just shocked. The motorist stopped and said sorry, then went on his merry way, which was nice of him.

[Yudster]

Had someone taped a sign on your back.....?

[S4B]

Remind me never to walk down any roads with you!

[Gaspode_The_Wonder_Dog]

If you get run over can I have your post-it notes? I need some for work.

[Gaspode_The_Wonder_Dog]

i can live without the heart ones. no one worth putting one on their desk for.