Safe Speed Forums

Not sure where this should be in here or the near miss section.

I'm going to work this morning and am tootling along in lane three at 70, lane 1 & 2 are both busy behind an elephant race and rather than sit there I overtook, this section of the A12 ends being three lane with lanes 2 & 3 merging. I've looked and seen a gap so I indicate and move in, the cxar behind in lane 2 waits until I'm across the white lines and then attempts to close the gap, he fails.

He then closes up behind me, starts waving his hands, then reaches for a bundle of paper on the dash, whilst sorting through this he weaves side to side in his lane.

The first piece of paper he holds up says "U're a t!wt, U C!nt", he then holds up another "F*ck off and learn to drive", after being tailgated for a mile I see a gap so pull over, he slots in behind me and then shows another sign "C!nt, C!nt, C!nt", I just get on with driving leaving an extra bit of space in front. this goes on till about the Shenfield turn off with the occasional waved gesture.

I didn't have my phone to hand and to be honest didn't really feel threatend so didn't call the police (he was so close I couldn't read his number plate anyway).

He seemed to be irate that I used a gap in the traffic to 'get ahead' (I can honestly say I didn't cut him up) and that his attempt at blocking me out failed.

A strange way to start Friday.

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Gordon Brown saying I got the country into it's current economic mess so I'll get us out of it is the same as Bomber Harris nipping over to Dresden and offering to repair a few windows.

Chaos, panic and disorder - my work here is done.

http://www.wildcrafts.co.uk

do you not have a peice of paper that says "piss off and get a life" ?

The fact that this guy has an assortment of pre-prepared abusive messages at his disposal suggests that he has "Issues" that go way beyond mere driving!

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"The road to a police state is paved with public safety legislation"

So, he's one of those people who:

- is rubbish at driving and doesn't understand (and refuses to advance his knowledge of) the rules of the road
- absolutely refuses point blank to entertain the possibility that he might ever be wrong or at fault, and therefore never improves, and just blames everyone else for the problems that he causes (and for perceived "pushing in" etc which is actually nothing of the kind)
- comes into conflict with others (because of the above) so frequently that he's taken the time to make some charming signs

It's that particular combination of utter uselessness, belligerence and arrogance which creates the Motorist From Hell, i.e. the type of driver which you really don't want to come across. Sounds like the OP was unlucky to do so and (as you must do with such cretins) was the better person by dealing with the situation calmly and safely.

If you're useless but not arrogant, there's potential to become less useless. If you're arrogant but good, it's not ideal, but you're not too bad to share the roads with most of the time as long as nothing goes wrong. If you're useless and arrogant together though, there's no scope for improvement, and if you're belligerent with it, you're an absolute nightmare to be around at the best of times...but on the road, you're dangerous as well as just frustrating.

With today's obsession with speed limit enforcement, of course, the Motorist From Hell goes unchecked most of the time. And even if the rest of us are fortunate enough not to encounter him, he gives us a bad press, and encourages the pathetic motorist-haters, in the same way that red light-jumping cyclists let all cyclists down.

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Paul Smith: a legend.

"The freedom provided by the motor vehicle is not universally applauded, however: there are those who resent the loss of state control over individual choice that the car represents. Such people rarely admit their prejudices openly; instead, they make false or exaggerated claims about the adverse effects of road transport in order to justify calls for higher taxation or restrictions on mobility." (Conservative Way Forward: Stop The War Against Drivers)

I wonder what would happen if we were ever to have psychological screening to weed out some road users......? Maybe my licence would have to go back from whence it came!

But I agree with you, Dusty. That guy is most odd, and not in a completely harmless way either, I suspect.

Best wishes all,
Dave.

From what you say it sounds as though he has committed a good section 5 POA causing alarm harassment and distress by displaying any visual representation that is abusive or offensive,this is from memory and not the exact wording.
You could report him and see what the police will do as if they go round to him and search his car then what a bonus when they turn the pr made signs somewhere in his car.
Stephen

great pity you did not get the reg number. Or was unable to use phone in an emergency situation.


There are a number of laws which he more than likely transgressed here. So I suggest that even though you cannot give the police the reg number - report it anyway. If this guy has these signs to hand - then he will use them again anyway and within the same area radius

If there are any CCTV cams on this road - could be they will have this evidence too - so quite important you report this as this chap can be a dager to self as well as others if he has such anger when behind wheel of a car. For all we know - this could be the type who will deliberately scare or even attack as well as other motorists.

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Take with a chuckle or a grain of salt
Drive without COAST and it's all your own fault!

A SMILE is a curve that sets everything straight (P Diller).

A Smiley Per post
FINES USfor our COAST!

Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon - but driving with a smile and a COAST calm mind.

The standards of English have slipped appallingly in recent years.

I've got to admit that I haven't reported it, I would have at one point but having reported (IMO) dangerous & aggressive driving previously, Essex Police don't seem to be overly concerned, mention speeding and it suddenly becomes a priority matter.

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Gordon Brown saying I got the country into it's current economic mess so I'll get us out of it is the same as Bomber Harris nipping over to Dresden and offering to repair a few windows.

Chaos, panic and disorder - my work here is done.

http://www.wildcrafts.co.uk