Road rage target?

[mostin]

Maybe it's just me but does anyone notice that the A2 encourages a less than charitable reaction from other road users? I find that often once you have overtaken a slower car and they see the 1.4TDi badge on the rear they take offence at being outpaced by what they see as an oil burning city car. I have had a number of problems with van drivers.

The other day I was on the M1 heading for London in the middle lane. I was some way behind a Merc Sprinter doing early 80's mph (and probably mpg!). I was running a little late so decided to clear the little chunk of traffic I was caught up in. I indicated put my foot to the floor and and moved effortly past in the outside lane. The instant I passed the van man veered into the outside lane behid me and settled about 2inches from my rear bumper making less than friendly hand gestures. I ignored him returned to the inside lane with him stuck up my ar** at about 90mph. He went off up the slip road gesturing for me to stop (presumably so he could "rough me up"). I was bemused and astonished and this is not the first time. My wife has a Peugeot 406 and I have never had such a problem in that car.

 

[Harps]

I hope this is not down to the A2 - just standard white van man behaviour. Around London, the only reaction you get from other motorists is bewilderment - as they still generally do not recognise the car.

If you think white van man takes a harsh view of the A2, you should see the response from most other drivers if you a Beemer. I recently borrowed a friend's 320i - and it was a case of everyone being unduly aggressive - few people would let me out in heavy London traffic, white vans were generally clamouring to block me in places, frequent gesturing, etc. Admittedly, most BMW drivers don't help their cause - but I did not feel very comfortable driving it. In comparison, if I drive my parents S60, there is a gentler response from other drivers - although not always from white van man.

 

[FACtOR]

HEHE you shoulda seen me yesterday, I was gently cruising down Chalk Hill road in wembley heading towards the A406 when this for want of a better word d*** ***d 318i BMW driver decided he was going to cut me up when he saw that the van in my lane decided he wanted to turn blocking the whole lane, so bewildered by this mans boldness because he was inches from me when he cut me up I continued on and we were at the traffic lights together at the ehad of our lanes, hehe was like a stand off, the lights went amber then green and we both floored it, and boy I must be one class driver because his car just didnt seem to have the acceleration to beat me, I'm sure I done the 0-60 in 10 seconds or less (was almost readlining) (all this in the 1.4 courtesy car hehe woudlnt be stupid enough to do it in my car) he just looked at me in amazment as I was matching his speed for the first 6 seconds then I began to edge ahead of him at a moderate speed then he stuck up fingers at me (do you think he was counting what litrage the car was.)

1.4SE petrol 2001, Dark interior, Sat cloth, Brilliant Silver, 3 spoke Steering wheel, Rear electric windows and Panasonic MR555 stereo, Panasonic 8CD changer, 10 speakers (2 extra 13" 190 watt each.)

1.4TDiSE 2002, Biege interior, Brilliant Black, Concert II.

 

[jmckie1]

Extract from rule book for white van drivers:

- Lanes must be changed in under 0.1 seconds and you must hover from side to side in the lane constantly incase of an opputunity to piss someone off.

- Contrary to popular belief it is ok to use your indicators provided they are actually clean enough to see.

- Try and be less than half an inch from the car in front or the car behind, depending on whether just overtaken or about to overtake.

- When stopped at traffic lights any passenger must stare at the driver of the car next to you. If male and they stare back the standard response is "What the f*ck are you looking at" - if female just make an appropriate comment depending on looks and tit size.

- You are a much better driver than all other road users and most rules do not apply to you.

- The van is very stable at speeds over 80mph so don't worry

Jamie.