Are drivers getting more aggressive last 10 years, or coked up?

MrCostington

I think this is better here than in motors as more general.

So, on my way home 30 min ago, Dublin, I was taking the right turn off a main road into my estate. The crossroad turn is controlled by lights and has a filter lane to turn right. Green for me (but not a filter light). But the lights have an island in the middle for pedestrians with high railings so it's hard to see if it's clear to turn.

As a moved into the filter lane I noticed this *** in a Corsa right up my ass. no headlights on just the side lights (a 07 so no DLR) and he did not indicate either. So I slow as I approach the junction to ensure path is clear BEEP BEEP I hear.

Into my narrow estate and he is inches from my ass,

WTF???

Another trend I noticed in the last 10 years, if you are first at the lights and don't move off within 0.5 seconds, BEEP! I'm talking a delay literally less than 2s.

Have we all become total c**nts in our cars, or all on coke etc?

/RANT

MrCostington

MrCostington wrote: »

I think this is better here than in motors as more general.

So, on my way home 30 min ago, Dublin, I was taking the right turn off a main road into my estate. The crossroad turn is controlled by lights and has a filter lane to turn right. Green for me (but not a filter light). But the lights have an island in the middle for pedestrians with high railings so it's hard to see if it's clear to turn.

As a moved into the filter lane I noticed this *** in a Corsa right up my ass. no headlights on just the side lights (a 07 so no DLR) and he did not indicate either. So I slow as I approach the junction to ensure path is clear BEEP BEEP I hear.

Into my narrow estate and he is inches from my ass,

WTF???

Another trend I noticed in the last 10 years, if you are first at the lights and don't move off within 0.5 seconds, BEEP! I'm talking a delay literally less than 2s.

Have we all become total c**nts in our cars, or all on coke etc?

/RANT

People have just become bigger c**nts in the last couple
of decades, not just in cars.

Arghus

Arseholes gonna arse.

dan1895

I've noticed a hell of a lot more impatience at red lights alright. One day over Christmas on a short journey I noticed 2 driver's break red lights, neither was close to making it through on amber .
Only yesterday I saw the driver of a van from one one of the big TV/BB companies overtake a car stopped at a red light and go through the junction.

Charlie19

Pay attention, never dilly dally at a traffic light and you'll never get beeped at.

There has been a marked increase in the number of Audis and BMWs sold, both new and secondhand.

MrCostington

Charlie19 wrote: »

Pay attention, never dilly dally at a traffic light and you'll never get beeped at.

dilly dally as in put the car in gear and release handbrake? I don't be on my phone etc.

dan1895

Charlie19 wrote: »

Pay attention, never dilly dally at a traffic light and you'll never get beeped at.

I've been beeped plenty of time just putting the car in gear. It's not the start of a grand prix.

Ubbquittious

I've noticed it the past couple of years moreso than the past 10.

In 2010 we were in the depths of the recession. 2016 onward it started getting more agressive in the cities. It's all that added pressure from the resurgence of the celtic tiger.

Though where I'm living now in the shticks there are no aggressive drivers and everyone salutes each other and we're all the best of friends

MMXX

Ubbquittious wrote: »

...and everyone salutes each other and we're all the best of friends

It's great isn't it!?

*Raises index finger off mouse to say hello.

anewme

As others have said, people are getting a lot more aggressive in general. In cars, in shops, people are becoming ruder to sales staff in work. My niece (17 )has got herself a little part time job in a shoe shop and a women recently threw a box of shoes at her when she wasn't given her own way.

Its probably a lot to do with social media, Facebook, Twitter and the like, that people think they can say what they like to others without retribution. They also try to bully shops / businesses, trip advisor is a perfect example.

Millionaire only not

BMW drivers were always aggressive!

Rubberchikken

Doubt every driver is on drugs. More likely feelings of entitlement, bring a pri@k, bad driver, and low self esteem due to having to drive a crap car.

BrianD3

I don't know if it has gotten worse - it's nearly 20 years since I drove regularly in Dublin at rush hour, traffic volumes were much less then but I would encounter multiple c*nts on every journey. Often the same c*nts pulling the same, congestion causing stunts every day. Junction hopping, pretend merging, bus lane usage, forcing into non existent gaps, being "accidentally" in the wrong lane, general road rage etc.

Every day when I got to my destination I'd be wound up and have to vent to various people - most of whom had walked or got public transport in so were probably fed up of my rants about all the arseholes on the road.

MrCostington

BrianD3 wrote: »

I don't know if it has gotten worse -.

I think it has, I've been driving in Dublin since the mid 80's- I first noticed this during the 2008 onwards recession, I put it down to people being stressed. But, maybe people are just scum

dan1895

It is hard to compare like with like to come up with a genuine answer as to whether there has been a change in the drivers - rather than in their environment.

Is there not now a lot more cars on the road than 10 years ago? As well as more Bikes?

If we had a time machine we could do an experiment. Transport 1000 drivers from then to now. And 1000 drivers from now to back then. My hypothesis - that the ones that go back would go down in aggression and the ones that come forward will rise to meet current levels of aggression.

In other words - is it driver personality that has degraded or the environment those personalities operate in?

dan1895 wrote: »

I've been beeped plenty of time just putting the car in gear. It's not the start of a grand prix.

It just struck me reading this that I have never actively discussed driving with other people before. So I am not sure I am doing something right wrong or different when I drive to something any other people.

But it strikes me the _only_ time my car is ever out of gear is at the absolute start and end of my journey when I am about to turn the car on or off.

Is that weird? Or is it a complete 50:50 thing? I am sure there is a reason for how I do it but I am struggling to recall what it is.

Shefwedfan

Like everything it’s a combination of things
Longer days in work
More stress at work
Less time at home
Longer commutes
More people on road
More people = more chance of accident = long delays

All of these plus more combine to a very irate Irish driver

Plus the fact most Irish drivers, myself included, are actually f**king awful drivers. No idea how to use lanes, roundabout, traffic lights , like the most basic thing on a car is indicators and 99% of drivers haven’t a fu*king clue. Plus you will always have some gobs**t with their fog lights on

Take the beeps, it’s only going to get worse not better

Potential-Monke

I'm lucky I'm not in Dublin, but if I was and someone beeped at me within a second of the light turning green, I'd take even longer to take off, and drive at a snails pace then.

valoren

You need to learn how to apply the "up yours" and the "wanker" gestures for drivers like that.

punisher5112

Driving a bus and on the road all the time it has got worse.....

Sure this morning, no traffic no issues but I can't make the turn until car in front turns right.... Qué beeeeeeedrpp0ppp


Feckin idiots.


Remember turning into my dad's house one day, very busy road and waiting, waiting to get a clear spot to turn qué beeeeeeeeeeepppppp

I got out walked back to 1st car they gestured to car behind, the guy was like oh ****.... Kept saying wasn't him and saying **** sorry at same time.. ;-)


Numpties everywhere.

FixdePitchmark

Yes

Because people are too slow or on phone too much.

Like a red light , need to check my phone.

Be ready - move as the light goes green - everyone move and move fast.

We are just **** drivers and too slow. Some people just don't seem to be able to get a car to move.

punisher5112

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

Yes

Because people are too slow or on phone too much.

Like a red light , need to check my phone.

Be ready - move as the light goes green - everyone move and move fast.

We are just **** drivers and too slow. Some people just don't seem to be able to get a car to move.

They are saving fuel

maudgonner

dan1895 wrote: »

I've been beeped plenty of time just putting the car in gear. It's not the start of a grand prix.

If you're first in the queue at traffic lights your car should be in gear (unless you know he sequence and know it's going to be a good while before it changes).

If you're further back in the queue you should pay attention and have it in gear well before the car in front pulls off.

That's not Formula One levels of driving skill, it's just basic common sense and road manners.

imitation

I find Dublin is particularly bad, when I go back south for the holidays I find myself being the asshole as you have to get used to aggressive driving. I always assume its a city Funny thing is I find driving in the uk in cities like Manchester fine in comparison.

FixdePitchmark

punisher5112 wrote: »

They are saving fuel

crazy **** - yes people driving slow trying to save fuel - taxi drivers the worst.

****. Move it.

pablo128

valoren wrote: »

You need to learn how to apply the "up yours" and the "wanker" gestures for drivers like that.

That absolutely escalates things.

FixdePitchmark

imitation wrote: »

I find Dublin is particularly bad, when I go back south for the holidays I find myself being the asshole as you have to get used to aggressive driving. I always assume its a city Funny thing is I find driving in the uk in cities like Manchester fine in comparison.

They have the orange to green sequence at lights in UK - that would help our , out of gear , on phone Irish drivers who cant get a car moving.

Plumbthedepths

Imagine the poor twats in the BMW/AUDI factories installing indicators knowing they'll never be used, ah well at least they get paid for their pointless endeavours. ;-)

punisher5112

I've had a few incidents over the years and the last one was taxi blocking bus stop he moved a foot so I thought ah grand he is leaving, eh no he sat there wouldn't move. I couldn't reverse, he got out screaming abuse and videoing me....

I left it for 10 minutes no reaction, didn't answer him and as I had been brought to court previous as CCTV footage went missing I thought do you know what I'm going to cover myself so videoed him and went to the front to get a photo as can even when recording.

Taxi driver boxes me from behind in my side while pushing my shoulder with other hand to try and knock me down....

Luckily my left leg was ahead as otherwise I was on the ground...

I boxed the head of him, sent him flying back and he ran and got back in his car....

Stayed till the Gardai came too


They were very interested in my video as it showed his true colour

Sam Quentin

Social media is slowly morphing into real life..but people need to understand it's so dangerous to act like a keyboard warrior in real life!?!?

punisher5112

Plumbthedepths wrote: »

Imagine the poor twats in the BMW/AUDI factories installing indicators knowing they'll never be used, ah well at least they get paid for their pointless endeavours. ;-)

101 on bulb savings and wear and tear right there....

punisher5112

Sam Quentin wrote: »

Social media is slowly morphing into real life..but people need to understand it's so dangerous to act like a keyboard warrior in real life!?!?

See you outside

Potential-Monke

I recently changed from manual to auto. Unless you like sitting behind a car with very bright red lights when braking, I got into N and on the handbrake. For lights I'm used to, I know when to put it back into gear to take off, but for other places I don't, so the light goes green, release the handbrake, into D and it takes a second to engage. Not my fault, just the way the auto cars are imo. I don't mind a beep after a few seconds, but immediately as the light turns green will only end with me making it worse for them by driving legally slow.

Plumbthedepths

punisher5112 wrote: »

101 on bulb savings and wear and tear right there....

One could argue cost savings on no installation at all. Surely a valid argument could be made to the relevant regulatory authorities giving BMW/AUDI an exemption form the requirements for basic safety devices that everyone knows their clientele refuse to use?

punisher5112

Potential-Monke wrote: »

I recently changed from manual to auto. Unless you like sitting behind a car with very bright red lights when braking, I got into N and on the handbrake. For lights I'm used to, I know when to put it back into gear to take off, but for other places I don't, so the light goes green, release the handbrake, into D and it takes a second to engage. Not my fault, just the way the auto cars are imo. I don't mind a beep after a few seconds, but immediately as the light turns green will only end with me making it worse for them by driving legally slow.

What car as some of you hit the brake hard but let go it will sit there...

Dravokivich

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

Yes

Because people are too slow or on phone too much.

Like a red light , need to check my phone.

Be ready - move as the light goes green - everyone move and move fast.

We are just **** drivers and too slow. Some people just don't seem to be able to get a car to move.

I will never move off as soon as the light goes green. I ain't sitting there waiting to twitch in response and fire away.

punisher5112

Dravokivich wrote: »

I will never move off as soon as the light goes green. I ain't sitting there waiting to twitch in response and fire away.

Thats what launch control is for its fantastic

FixdePitchmark

Potential-Monke wrote: »

I recently changed from manual to auto. Unless you like sitting behind a car with very bright red lights when braking, I got into N and on the handbrake. For lights I'm used to, I know when to put it back into gear to take off, but for other places I don't, so the light goes green, release the handbrake, into D and it takes a second to engage. Not my fault, just the way the auto cars are imo. I don't mind a beep after a few seconds, but immediately as the light turns green will only end with me making it worse for them by driving legally slow.

To be honest that sounds stupid or you are doing something wrong.

Anyway - Irish drivers are so slow - you should be able to do all that before car in front moves as you are hardly always the first car.

If you can't do anything about this - change car because it is ruining everyone else life behind you .

Just do it quicker - like practice it.

The fact you are willing to then hold people up more - says more about you and why you wont learn to do it faster.

I'd have that down to F1 pace , if I had such a daft set up.

con___manx1

Driving in Dublin is a whole different ball game to the rest of the country.
Drivers are way less cortious. Letting you out at a junction and so on.
That's what happens I suppose when you have to many cars in one place. People become intolerable ignorent and angry at one another.

jk23

valoren wrote: »

You need to learn how to apply the "up yours" and the "wanker" gestures for drivers like that.

A van overtook me quite dangerously this evening, then when it was ahead of me it indicated left and right quickly... Have no idea what that means but it seems like an aggressive gesture?...

punisher5112

If peeps aren't up to scratch with the tech used for light control then here is the secret...

See them tar like rectangular boxes cut into the tarmac..... Yeah???? Well they're what controls the lights and for how long they'll stay green the direction you're going .,...

Same for turning right.... If you don't contact them with your vehicle the lights won't go green or will go red near straight away...

punisher5112

jk23 wrote: »

A van overtook me quite dangerously this evening, then when it was ahead of me it indicated left and right quickly... Have no idea what that means but it seems like an aggressive gesture?...

He is a truck driver that's a sorry or thanks gesture, saves having to reach over for hazard switch.

FixdePitchmark

con___manx1 wrote: »

Driving in Dublin is a whole different ball game to the rest of the country.
Drivers are way less cortious. Letting you out at a junction and so on.
That's what happens I suppose when you have to many cars in one place. People become intolerable ignorent and angry at one another.

Or people need to realize a higher level of driving and reaction is required - not driving around with their head up their arse.

FixdePitchmark

punisher5112 wrote: »

If peeps aren't up to scratch with the tech used for light control then here is the secret...

See them tar like rectangular boxes cut into the tarmac..... Yeah???? Well they're what controls the lights and for how long they'll stay green the direction you're going .,...

Same for turning right.... If you don't contact them with your vehicle the lights won't go green or will go red near straight away...

TO be honest you need to watch everything in sequence to progress at the right pace (as required in your driving test) . I watch the pedestrian lights to anticipate the sequence. I see people on phones, doing make up , for **** sake.

punisher5112

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

TO be honest you need to watch everything in sequence to progress at the right pace (as required in your driving test) . I watch the pedestrian lights to anticipate the sequence. I see people on phones, doing make up , for **** sake.

Ah that's a given....

FixdePitchmark

If people are not moving after about 2 seconds after a green - they should be taken off the road.

Just selfish pricks or slow people.

We should start a beep at 3 seconds campaign. It would get people off phones and mirrors.

Dravokivich

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

Or people need to realize a higher level of driving and reaction is required - not driving around with their head up their arse.

A higher level of reaction. What are you on about? Most of my driving I spend on observation. If you're just twitching all the time, you see very little of what's going on around you. Relax a bit and give yourself a chance to look at what's happening.

jk23

Tailgating is getting way worse and is one of the most dangerous things to do while driving...

FixdePitchmark

Dravokivich wrote: »

A higher level of reaction. What are you on about? Most of my driving I spend on observation. If you're just twitching all the time, you see very little of what's going on around you. Relax a bit and give yourself a chance to look at what's happening.

What are you talking about twitching. :rolleyes:

Anyone involved in fast anything is twitching , moving fast.

Fast reaction needs twitching. Not being brain dead.

FixdePitchmark

jk23 wrote: »

Tailgating is way worse and is one of the most dangerous things to do while driving...

I hate tailgating - but it is normally induced by a person holding up the overtaking lane.

We have an issue here too.

Lights
and overtaking lane two main issues.

All these RSA adds - I'd love if they did a few to cover lights and motorway driving.

We also need to increase speed levels on motorways to 140/150 kph.

jk23

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

I hate tailgating - but it is normally induced by a person holding up the overtaking lane.

We have an issue here too.

Lights
and overtaking lane two main issues.

All these RSA adds - I'd love if they did a few to cover lights and motorway driving.

We also need to increase speed levels on motorways to 140/150 kph.

Yes I agree, if you don't plan on going at the speed limit of that road with 2 to 3 lanes the mannerly thing is to go on to the inside lane