Three Point Turns

Morecambe Ex Pat said:
I was taught observation and anticipation
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Good start...

Morecambe Ex Pat said:
...that is not passive driving that is defensive driving.
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I think we might be talking at cross-purposes here. I have no problem with allowing other drivers out of parking spaces or side roads if I'm in slow moving traffic. I've no problem with anticipating someone else's need to (say) change lanes and adjust my speed accordingly (either speed up so they can slot in behind me or slow down if it's not going to compromise my two second gap or generate a risk from the car behind me). I only really slow down to give up my right of way for lorries and school buses, though. Lorries because their need to maintain momentum is far more than mine, and school buses because it doesn't matter how evil you were in a former life, there's nothing that justifies being subjected to schoolkids on a bus.

I don't even have a problem with people who make a genuine mistake. It happens - and to me as well.

The specific instance I was talking about was the bully-behind-the-wheel. yanking his car out of his parking space on the wrong side of the road. I resolutely defend my right of way against people who seem to think the rules of the road only apply to other drivers and are there just so they can blast through in any lane at any speed and the other guy is always going to get out of the way.

Yes, you have to drive in such a way that you can stop if (say) a child runs out from between parked cars, but if nobody does anything they are just eventually going to end up as a red stain on somebody's bumper. So, you pip your horn or give them an earful. Much of the time it might help to educate them, some the time you'll just get an obscene sign back. If you don't do it because of the latter group, who unfortunately are no longer a minority, you're being bullied.

Same with the bully driver, although he's safely encased in a metal box, they still have the potential to cause damage to themselves and others. You can do the road rage thing and get out of your car, or you can make their manoeuvre pointless. Which is best? I know your answer already. Someone forces you to brake just so they can get out, you just wave them on. It's not helping.
 
I would usually slow down leaving a space for them to pull into. I do not flash my lights at people like so many do
 
Neil said:
I would usually slow down leaving a space for them to pull into. I do not flash my lights at people like so many do
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Good answer. If you flash your lights and they pull out and hit another vehicle, it's possible you could be held responsible.
 
When I was driving I was taught that even if someone flashed you, it was your responsibility as the driver, to ensure that the action you were about to take was safe.....and never to trust the judgement of another motorist...to make your own judgements.
I would indicate by hand signals to let another driver out in front of me
 
Flashing lights isn't a sign you are giving up right of way, it's a sign to say "I'm here"
 
I have heard about people being blamed after flashing lights to let someone out so I don't do it. Many do though and many don't know what to do when you wait for them to pull out but you haven't flashed.

Lets be sensible about it though, if I did flash to say I was letting you out it should still be your responsibility to make sure your movement is safe. The judge who let it go the other way wants sacking!!
 
Studio25 - I believe we are at cross purposes but if the bully driver forces his way out, I just let him. Not to be passive but to ensure the safety of myself and my passengers. Blocking some hot head is not a sensible move as it will just make them more aggressive and in extreme cases put others in danger. What happens if Mr. Aggressive bumps into you and he is not insured or the car is stolen - much hassle for you.

Leaving a gap and a gentle wave of the arm is enough to indicate you are letting someone out, if the other person doesn't understand the signal, they really shouldn't be driving.
 
All bully drivers are bad drivers, but not all bad drivers are bullies.

The most common bad drivers I see are the ones using Great Harwood roads who, for some reason, have no idea how roundabouts work. Those and the people who don't realise the dashed white line in the middle of the road is supposed to tell you the boundary your side of the road. I frequently encounter oncoming traffic when driving into Rishton, I used to think they're just driving too fast for the bend and try to iron it out. However the same happens at the lower speed bend near the co-op, there's no speed reason for trying to flatten that one out.

None of these people are bullies, they are just bad drivers.
 
Studio25 said:
All bully drivers are bad drivers, but not all bad drivers are bullies.

The most common bad drivers I see are the ones using Great Harwood roads who, for some reason, have no idea how roundabouts work. Those and the people who don't realise the dashed white line in the middle of the road is supposed to tell you the boundary your side of the road. I frequently encounter oncoming traffic when driving into Rishton, I used to think they're just driving too fast for the bend and try to iron it out. However the same happens at the lower speed bend near the co-op, there's no speed reason for trying to flatten that one out.

None of these people are bullies, they are just bad drivers.
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As a fellow 'arroder, I quite agree about driving in Great Harwood. I am especially cautious going down Queen Street and on to Tesco's. Pedestrians aren't so clever either, frequently stepping out into the road, oblivious of traffic.
 
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Michael1954 said:
As a fellow 'arroder, I quite agree about driving in Great Harwood. I am especially cautious going down Queen Street and on to Tesco's. Pedestrians aren't so clever either, frequently stepping out into the road, oblivious of traffic.
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thats because they know they have right of way and no matter what if you hit one no matter how much fault lays at their hands YOU will be the one to suffer especially after a big fat payout from your insurance

we need jaywalking laws like in america where at least some of the pedestrians safety is put in their hands

i was in great harwood one time and a group of teenagers were playing a game of jumping into the road to scare drivers to see if they could make cars swerve yet if they had got hit it would have been the driver at fault.

admittedly i did not swerve i accidently hit the accellorator but my guess is that teenagers pants turned to a shade of brown

ps:

the word accident was used in its loosest form
 
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