What a lot of this says to me is that there are too many people out there under too much stress. Yes, ignorance and inconsideration come into it but the fineness of the hair trigger some people display indicates to me that they are constantly walking (and driving) around on the point of snapping. There must be something very wrong with their lives for them to be in this state. Life can't be any fun for them. Of course that doesn't make them right and the rest of us shouldn't have to cop their bile but it may help in understanding and dealing with them.
I've only ever once committed road rage and done something I am ashamed of (there was no accident, no one was hurt and compared to some cases it was pretty mild - just a few seconds of aggressive tail-gating) and that happen a couple of months before I suffered a total and debilitating nervous breakdown. Someone did something rude and stupid (used the shoulder to pass me on the left on a single lane road while I was doing the speed limit) and suddenly I couldn't control my anger. I've experienced plenty of bad behaviour before and since and I just keep on with what I'm doing, don't engage in tit for tat, and stay out of their way as they are obviously a danger on the road.
Quote:
Originally Posted by LewisM
Some of my recent funnies:
1/ Shopping centre carpark absolutely full because of recent EOFY Sales. So, I am in one of the lanes, with flicker on, waiting for one guy to come out. Another guy the other direction is going to take another one just up from me too, and we both indicate to each other which would be best. Problem solved. Then, a "chick" (for she was no lady), in a 4WD is driving past the lane. Sees there are going to be 2 cars moving out, so she reverses up and starts to indicate. I had already been waiting 5 minutes at this point of her arrival. I knew this was going to be fun! Thankfully, the first car moved out and the other guy moved in, which blocked her geting to mine, and finally the other car moved out so I could take the spot, so I started moving and took it. She was blaring the horn, giving me BOTH bird fingers, then called me a cock head, and that she had waited 10 minutes for that park. I calmly got out of the car, and politely told her that I had seen her back up and expect to take the position I had waited LONGER than her for and she could ask the guy 2 cars up who had waited - she did not need to, he interjected and told her she was WRONG. Well, did we both cop expletives! And she had young kids in the car!
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Having a large car with poor rear vision (a troopie) I find it easier and safer to reverse into car parking spaces. Since this is uncommon I normally come to a complete stop in front of the desired free spot, indicate, and then move forward so I can back in. Almost everyone understands and leaves me room. However around xmas and at other very busy times I don't even try. I've just had too many cases where someone has tried (and generally succeeded in) zipping in while I'm trying to back up.