Road Rage Stories

[andyroo1986]

Weird...

I was on a very busy roundabout near me, and a momentary lapse in concentration led me to move into the lane to the left of me when I should have stayed in the lane I was in. The BMW next to me gave a little bib, snapped back to reality and swerved back into my own lane. I placed my hand out of the window with the universal gesture for sorry/thank you.

Fantastic use of the horn for its primary function - reminding people you exist.

I can't tell if you're being sarcastic or not!

 

[foodpoison]

I can't tell if you're being sarcastic or not!

Nope I'm being genuine! The guy was totally in the right, I was in the wrong, and I stuck my hand up to say "sorry for being a douche and thanks for being understanding!" and then we went on our merry way!

Like today I was behind an old Citroen with an old bloke in it going 30 in a 50, I overtook, the guy slowed to allow me to overtake, so I stuck my hand out the window to say, "thanks mate!" and drove off.

 

[andyroo1986]

Years of forum-browsing have made my sarcasmometer extra sensitive - good to know you meant well! And good to know you didn't react in an idiotic way just because someone had pointed out your error - unlike most of the situations I've been in.

 

[Overexposed]

I've been driving 2 and a half years, never had an accident and would consider myself to be a moderately experienced, competent, aware and confident driver.

Anyway, to the point.

On my way to work yesterday, I was following the same BMW M3 (WITH personalised numberplate - vital to the story) for about 5 miles (never once was I driving up his bum - also vital to the story - I remained within the correct following distances and was aware of the car's manoeuvres). As we get to the roundabout (the one near Winkfield by the Mercedes Garage should you know it), there are 2 lanes to go straight on. I get in the right lane, the M3 gets in the left lane. A clearing comes up, so we both leave the roundabout at the same time. He is slightly faster, and so naturally I fall back to allow him to lead in front of me as I merge behind him.

The exit to the roundabout is a moderately steep, yet short, hill. You'd break a sweat walking up it. The BMW slows right down. At first I think that maybe the guy doesn't know the road and is in the wrong gear. Then I think that perhaps he's looking at road names.

I then notice the guy looking in his rear view mirror as his car continues to slow. I'm now right up his arse, unintentionally as I have no where to go - I am assuming he's going to speed up the hill but instead he slows right down to about 5mph.

I raise my hands :shrug: so he can see to say, "Mate, what are you doing?" he then speeds off as fast as possible for about 50m and then as I pull up behind him he slows RIGHT down again. I raise my hands again :shrug: and he's mouthing something in his rear view and then he speeds right off again. I give him the universal symbol for 'to$$er' out of the window, as the guy is being way out of line. He clearly sees it, and stops with a central reservation next to him so as to stop me over taking, and I see him open his door.

Brilliant. I take off my sunglasses, turn down my music and wait for him to come and read me the riot act. Over storms a 50 year old balding businessman clearly with a serious case of respecting your elders no matter how retarded they are.
In he leans to my window, finger pointing, and literally yells. Screaming, at the top of his voice, into my face, finger a foot away, his face a foot and a half, "THAT IS EXACTLY HOW ACCIDENTS HAPPEN!"

I'm a little taken aback by the sheer unexpectedness and enthusiasm that has gone into this accusation. I try and utter a few words, "I was simply waiting -"
and then round two comes.

"THAT IS EXACTLY HOW F****NG ACCIDENTS HAPPEN!"

I am starting to lose my temper. 20 years old and never been in a fight, deal with confrontation in a calm and mature manner, but this guy is pushing me.

I manage to slip in a sentence, louder this time, "What are you talking about?! I was simply waiting for you to go up the hill!"

He then brings out the mother of all accusations. Clearly a fisherman in a previous life: "YOU'VE BEEN DRIVING UP MY ARSE FOR THE PAST 10 MINUTES!"

My fuse is burning a lot quicker. He begins to walk away.

"Don't start accusing me of something I haven't been doing!" I exclaim, a tone of anger present in my voice.

He begins to come back, finger protruding in a phallic manner. He opens his mouth ready to empty his lungs once again and I simply say:

"Get back in your car, now."

He looked a little aghast, but I think he's realised the point. During this time, 2 cars have overtaken both me, him, and the central reservation, and a line of about 15 cars has come behind us, a lot of them beeping. I raise my hand out the window to apologise, and we're on our merry way. 100m down the road the BMW pulls over, the guy gets out and goes to his boot 'to get something out' as I drive off down the road.

I wish I had gotten out, too. The guy was totally out of line and he needed a taste of his own medicine.

I tell my parents, mum suggest I dealt with it in the correct manner and should never start something, but finish it, preferably with words.

My Dad says I should have got out of the car, and when he (as it was no doubt inevitable) went for me, open-palm slapped him in the face.

I think I dealt with it pretty well, but I kind of wish I had just screamed and slapped my forehead, suggesting I was a nutter so he'd have freaked out and left me to it.

Now for your stories

Ive read this thread through and to be honest the attitude of young inexperienced drivers aint good ! - Yes there are plenty of Ars@s on the road but you dont need to get into a fight with every single one endangering yourself and other road users.

I'm going to play devils advocate here:

The fact of the matter is - why do you drive a small engined car - Answer because your Insurance is so expensive!

Question: Why is your Insurance expensive - Answer because you are young and experienced and statistically more likely to have an accident!



If you are statistically more likely to have an accident it is because you dont have the experience of when to back off or make the right decisions on the road !

Statistically you are also more likely to be a prat on the road !

It matters not what some one drives M3 or Marina - if its driven badly pull over and let them kill themselves not you! If they are so reckless as to be dangerous phone the police, thats what they get paid for!

 

[chip]

Haha it's my first out of car experience, I've had plenty of to-and-froing with gestures, unfortunately.

Hmmmm...... doesn't that tell you something? Or is it ALWAYS the other drivers fault??

 

[birdy961]

Do too many miles and spend too long in the car to get road rage
Seen others have punch ups etc

Lifes too short to get angry about driving

 

[Pieface]

Statistically you are also more likely to be a prat on the road !

I'd like to see that statistic please? Or are you being generalistic and making stuff up?

 

[Shutter]

how many of the posters here are advanced drivers or have been on an advanced driving course / test?

i.e. rospa or IAM!??

 

[Overexposed]

I'd like to see that statistic please? Or are you being generalistic and making stuff up?

Read my post I was playing devils advocate. In any case I dont need to provide a statistic, young drivers insurance premiums do it for me! particularly young male drivers!

 

[Overexposed]

how many of the posters here are advanced drivers or have been on an advanced driving course / test?

i.e. rospa or IAM!??

I had to an advanced driving course before my first field based employer would let me drive one of their company cars

 

[Overexposed]

Do too many miles and spend too long in the car to get road rage
Seen others have punch ups etc

Lifes too short to get angry about driving

Agree Totally

 

[Pieface]

Read my post I was playing devils advocate. In any case I dont need to provide a statistic, young drivers insurance premiums do it for me! particularly young male drivers!

Wow. Just.. wow. So you say "Statistically younger drivers..." basically slagging off younger drivers and call us prats. Then say you don't need to provide statistics? Amazing!

There's a difference between inexperienced and prattish behaviour. Don't tar everyone with the same brush. Also, in the future don't come up with "Statistical clams" that aren't real, and trying to add some credibility to your argument.

 

[Overexposed]

Wow. Just.. wow. So you say "Statistically younger drivers..." basically slagging off younger drivers and call us prats. Then say you don't need to provide statistics? Amazing!

There's a difference between inexperienced and prattish behaviour. Don't tar everyone with the same brush. Also, in the future don't come up with "Statistical clams" that aren't real, and trying to add some credibility to your argument.

I note you are 19 !

I havent slagged off younger drivers - I said statistically you are more likely to have an accident backed up by the high cost of Insurance for younger drivers. Without wishing to start a war over this - Inexperience leads you to take risks - risks that in most case are prattish and dangerous!

If this wasnt the case you would be paying the same insurance premiums as me and could get insurance on higher powered sports cars. I am statistically a better risk i have been driving for 25 years and have driven 100s of thousands of miles professionally. I've had one accident which was my fault when I was 21 - taking a risk a rislk i wouldnt take now.

My point is you cant teach experience it reduces your risk taking and increases your awareness of the behaviour of other road users - Young drivers just dont have it!

 

[Pieface]

I note you are 19 !

I havent slagged off younger drivers - I said statistically you are more likely to have an accident backed up by the high cost of Insurance for younger drivers. Without wishing to start a war over this - Inexperience leads you to take risks - risks that in most case are prattish and dangerous!

If this wasnt the case you would be paying the same insurance premiums as me and could get insurance on higher powered sports cars. I am statistically a better risk i have been driving for 25 years and have driven 100s of thousands of miles professionally. I've had one accident which was my fault when I was 21 - taking a risk a rislk i wouldnt take now.

My point is you cant teach experience it reduces your risk taking and increases your awareness of the behaviour of other road users - Young drivers just dont have it!

I never said insurance premiums were high. But inexperience doesn't lead everyone to prattish behaviour. Not all crashes are caused by prattish behaviour. Just because you took a stupid risk doesn't mean everyone does. Loads of BMW/Audi drivers are pratty speeding down the outside lane of a motorway, using mobile phones or being pre-occupied, but they also have the experience that lends them to do that safer than others. A lot of the big crashes that happens to teens is from them Drinking and driving, nothing I would ever do (As I don't like getting drunk). Look at Traffic Cops the other day on BBC. A guy in a Saxo ended up dead for being 3 times over the legal limit. Another guy got caught for driving 3 times over the limit and crashing into a sign. It's not from taking risks. It's just from sheer stupidity.

 

[Overexposed]

I never said insurance premiums were high. But inexperience doesn't lead everyone to prattish behaviour. Not all crashes are caused by prattish behaviour. Just because you took a stupid risk doesn't mean everyone does. Loads of BMW/Audi drivers are pratty speeding down the outside lane of a motorway, using mobile phones or being pre-occupied, but they also have the experience that lends them to do that safer than others. A lot of the big crashes that happens to teens is from them Drinking and driving, nothing I would ever do (As I don't like getting drunk). Look at Traffic Cops the other day on BBC. A guy in a Saxo ended up dead for being 3 times over the legal limit. Another guy got caught for driving 3 times over the limit and crashing into a sign. It's not from taking risks. It's just from sheer stupidity.

Dominic
You are missing my point - most accidents are caused by risk taking ( Speeding, drink driving, bad over taking, showing off , racing,, driving too close etc) which is prevalent when you dont have experience and think you know the lot.
Statistically as a young driver you are more likely to have an accident hence the high insurance premiums you havee. I'm not saying that older drivers dont take silly risks too but are statistically less likely to.
Most of the comments here are from youngers drivers moaning about Audi BMW etc Drivers saying they are arrogant - yes there's plenty who are but in most cases if you dont goad them you dont get a reaction and comments like I keppt my distance etc just dont wash as why would another driver stop if you were driving sensibly behind them? If you mess with people you wind them up !

 

[Pieface]

Dominic
You are missing my point - most accidents are caused by risk taking ( Speeding, drink driving, bad over taking, showing off , racing,, driving too close etc) which is prevalent when you dont have experience and think you know the lot.
Statistically as a young driver you are more likely to have an accident hence the high insurance premiums you havee. I'm not saying that older drivers dont take silly risks too but are statistically less likely to.
Most of the comments here are from youngers drivers moaning about Audi BMW etc Drivers saying they are arrogant - yes there's plenty who are but in most cases if you dont goad them you dont get a reaction and comments like I keppt my distance etc just dont wash as why would another driver stop if you were driving sensibly behind them? If you mess with people you wind them up !

You seem to up yourself to be honest. I'm guessing you drive a BMW? But acting like a prat is a purposeful act, just ignorance of rules you know. Inexperience is down to not knowing fully how you can cope in certain conditions. A lot of crashes are caused in the rain. Why do you think? Because they don't give a care, or they don't understand the conditions? I'm guessing the second really. I saw loads of people crashed in the snow, all age groups in the winter. Were they all prats? Or did they not have the experience to drive in the winter.

You need to read more what you say than insult people. I would accept it if you said they crashed because they were inexperienced. But to call the majority of young people prats is just insulting, and ignorant.

 

[Splog]

You seem to up yourself to be honest. I'm guessing you drive a BMW? But acting like a prat is a purposeful act, just ignorance of rules you know. Inexperience is down to not knowing fully how you can cope in certain conditions. A lot of crashes are caused in the rain. Why do you think? Because they don't give a care, or they don't understand the conditions? I'm guessing the second really. I saw loads of people crashed in the snow, all age groups in the winter. Were they all prats? Or did they not have the experience to drive in the winter.

You need to read more what you say than insult people. I would accept it if you said they crashed because they were inexperienced. But to call the majority of young people prats is just insulting, and ignorant.

So it's okay for you to throw insults?

 

[Marc]

Dominic, I think you need to rein it in a bit. You seem to be taking things a little out of context. Nowhere has Mark said that the majority of young people are prats.

 

[Pieface]

Dominic, I think you need to rein it in a bit. You seem to be taking things a little out of context. Nowhere has Mark said that the majority of young people are prats.

Statistically you are also more likely to be a prat on the road !

Think that explains it. I'm sorry, but it's ignorance like this that annoys me. Making up crap and thinking it's true. Would you not agree with me fabs, that inexperienced drivers being in accidents is usually a fact. But blaming us for being prats on the road is an insult?

 

[Marc]

Think that explains it. I'm sorry, but it's ignorance like this that annoys me. Making up crap and thinking it's true. Would you not agree with me fabs, that inexperienced drivers being in accidents is usually a fact. But blaming us for being prats on the road is an insult?

No, what he is suggesting is that there is statistically more likelihood of someone younger acting like a prat on the road (boy racers etc) than someone of the older generation. He never called anyone a prat.

 

[Pieface]

No, what he is suggesting is that there is statistically more likelihood of someone younger acting like a prat on the road (boy racers etc) than someone of the older generation. He never called anyone a prat.

And I asked him where the statistic lay, and he came out with he doesn't need to show a statistic... Because there isn't one.

 

[Marc]

And I asked him where the statistic lay, and he came out with he doesn't need to show a statistic... Because there isn't one.

And the point was that there is one because the insurance companies use it to determine premiums. You know, it's just an internet debate. You don't have to take it personally and demand that everyone come up with facts and figures for everything.

 

[Pieface]

And the point was that there is one because the insurance companies use it to determine premiums. You know, it's just an internet debate. You don't have to take it personally and demand that everyone come up with facts and figures for everything.

Jesus Christ, not this again. Inexperience and being a prat isn't the same thing...

 

[nilagin]

And the point was that there is one because the insurance companies use it to determine premiums. You know, it's just an internet debate. You don't have to take it personally and demand that everyone come up with facts and figures for everything.

To be honest insurance companies use some stupid statistics to arrive at premiums, such as occupations. I can save £25.00 per year on my premiums by saying I'm a factory worker instead of a tool maker. Why as a tool maker should I have to pay more just because according to their statistics, more toolmakers have made claims compared to factory workers?

 

[Marc]

Jesus Christ, not this again. Inexperience and being a prat isn't the same thing...

Will you stop getting worked up! I never said it was the same thing, BUT being inexperienced CAN lead to people acting like prats behind the wheel of a car.

Notice how I used the word "CAN" there. Just wanted to make sure that we are clear that I haven't called all or the majority of young people prats or even yourself.

To be honest insurance companies use some stupid statistics to arrive at premiums, such as occupations. I can save £25.00 per year on my premiums by saying I'm a factory worker instead of a tool maker. Why as a tool maker should I have to pay more just because according to their statistics, more toolmakers have made claims compared to factory workers?

I fave up trying to work out some of the ways insurance companies work out premiums in some instances years ago.

 

[Splog]

Jesus Christ, not this again. Inexperience and being a prat isn't the same thing...

Inexperience causes people to drive like prats ! .....?

It does if you if they ignore their training!

 

[Overexposed]

You seem to up yourself to be honest. I'm guessing you drive a BMW? But acting like a prat is a purposeful act, just ignorance of rules you know. Inexperience is down to not knowing fully how you can cope in certain conditions. A lot of crashes are caused in the rain. Why do you think? Because they don't give a care, or they don't understand the conditions? I'm guessing the second really. I saw loads of people crashed in the snow, all age groups in the winter. Were they all prats? Or did they not have the experience to drive in the winter.

You need to read more what you say than insult people. I would accept it if you said they crashed because they were inexperienced. But to call the majority of young people prats is just insulting, and ignorant.

And the point was that there is one because the insurance companies use it to determine premiums. You know, it's just an internet debate. You don't have to take it personally and demand that everyone come up with facts and figures for everything.

Will you stop getting worked up! I never said it was the same thing, BUT being inexperienced CAN lead to people acting like prats behind the wheel of a car.

Notice how I used the word "CAN" there. Just wanted to make sure that we are clear that I haven't called all or the majority of young people prats or even yourself.



I fave up trying to work out some of the ways insurance companies work out premiums in some instances years ago.

Actually Dominic I drive a SAAB and I dont quite know what you are getting so worked up about! I have certainly no intention of rising to your silly comment about me being 'up myself' if you cant respond on a forum in a polite reasoned controlled way, then god knows what you are capable of on the road. What you forget about us oldies is we were 19 once too! Been there seen it got the T shirt.

You make comments about accidents in rain and snow - its normally caused by driving too quick for the conditions and consequences and not knowing how to cope with the resultant loss of control - inexperience again - There are Old Drivers and Bold Drivers but not many Old Bold Drivers.

My comments are based on statistics used by the Insurance companies - the people who have to pay for the damage after an accident ! Their modelling allows them to spread risk and young inexperienced drivers are statistically more likely to have an accident fow whatever reason - that is why their premiums are loaded - in particular young males are the most likely to have an accident usually caused by inexperience of road conditions or recklessness ( being a prat). Nowhere did I say all young people are prats as you insinuate.

By the way if you are false declaring your occupation to an Insurance company ( as another poster mentioned) you stand the chance of leaving your insurance void as you are lying- a toolmaker is not a factory worker - but to save £25 madness!

 

[smooth]

Cripes Sean. I can't believe you started this thread and have experienced first hand a total bell of the end variety on the road.

Glad you are ok mate

 

[nilagin]

By the way if you are false declaring your occupation to an Insurance company ( as another poster mentioned) you stand the chance of leaving your insurance void as you are lying- a toolmaker is not a factory worker - but to save £25 madness!

It wouldn't be a false declaration as I am a tool maker and I work in a factory, so I'm still a factory worker. I can't see the insurance company contacting my employer to see what I do for a living anyhow.

 

[mid_gen]

It wouldn't be a false declaration as I am a tool maker and I work in a factory, so I'm still a factory worker. I can't see the insurance company contacting my employer to see what I do for a living anyhow.

You wait til you need to make a claim, then they will make extremely sure that all details on your policy are correct

I really don't understand road rage, it's really not worth raising your blood pressure over.

Was on my way home on the M4, behind someone in the middle lane doing usual motorway speed, checked mirror, was a car a fair old distance behind in the fast lane, loads of room, so I moved out to overtake. I'm cruising past the car in the middle lane, and it becomes apparent that the car behind is actually doing upwards of 110mph and bearing down on me, and proceeds to sit on my arse flashing headlights and undertakes me the second there is a car length to fit through, and is screaming and gesturing out his window.

Just makes me laugh, brightened up my journey. Makes me feel glad I'm not a compelte d**k

 

[Jim.R]

Dual carriageway merging into a single lane. There are "Merge In Turn" signs up, so I do exactly that. The bloke immediately behind me in the other lane doesn't like that much, speeds up and tries to block me, but bottles it when he sees I'm not yeielding. So I slot in just in front of him and keep pace with the traffic. This appears to have upset him somewhat as I can see him going mental at me in my rear view mirror. Never mind.
The single lane we're in then becomes two way traffic, and at the first opportunity he pulls out and overtakes me, pulling in directly in front of me in the gap I'd left between me and the car in front.
At this point I start wetting myself with laughter at the pettyness of his actions. This does not go down well with the guy (now) in front and his hand signals and gesturing begin to get more irate.
We then both head down a dual lane slip road onto a dual carriageway, I stick left, he heads into the outside lane. My lane is moving faster, so I end up ahead again. Well it was obvious what was going to happen; as I hit end of the slip and moved out into my lane, he drops a couple of cogs and swerves out violently into the outside lane of the road we're joining and accelerates past me with a hand gesture suggesting I may enjoy a spot of self pleasure occasionally.
At that moment, something very important broke in his engine. I know this because I heard on the tarmac in many pieces. This was followed by a plume of smoke and him putting on his hazzards and grinding to a halt.
At this point I was laughing hysterically.

Karma is great, especially when you're still around to see it in action

 

[stupar]

At that moment, something very important broke in his engine. I know this because I heard on the tarmac in many pieces. This was followed by a plume of smoke and him putting on his hazzards and grinding to a halt.
At this point I was laughing hysterically.

That will teach him to down shift at speed (assuming that being on a dual carriageway he was travelling at farily decent speed, it begs belief why you would want to drop gears for a risky boost of acceleration)

 

[HornetSting]

At that moment, something very important broke in his engine. I know this because I heard on the tarmac in many pieces. This was followed by a plume of smoke and him putting on his hazzards and grinding to a halt.
At this point I was laughing hysterically.

Thats awesome, would have driven past him again leaning out of the window laughing as loud as I could at him. So long sucker!

 

[nilagin]

It wouldn't be a false declaration as I am a tool maker and I work in a factory, so I'm still a factory worker. I can't see the insurance company contacting my employer to see what I do for a living anyhow.

You wait til you need to make a claim, then they will make extremely sure that all details on your policy are correct

It's all perfectly legal and above board.
See Money Saving Expert.
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/insurance/compare-cheap-car-insurance#step1

I really don't understand road rage, it's really not worth raising your blood pressure over.

You've obviously never come across the total idiot who comes from the outside lane and cuts you up to take a motorway or dual carriageway slip road exit. I'm talking about missing your front bumper by inches with a total disregard for your life as well as your wife and kids. It is hard to remain cool in such circumstances.

 

[daddy day care]

I was told many years ago by a motorcycle instructor to treat everybody else on the road as if they were an idiot that was trying to kill you. It has served me well so far but I do lose my temper a lot behind the wheel.

Coming back up the M5 on Saturday was a prime example. I was in lane 3 and I could see a guy coming up behind me in lane 4. As it changed to three lanes again he would need to be pulling over. Instead of dropping in behind me he sped up and cut in front of me with no more than a few feet to spare from my bullbar. As I was travelling at a reasonable speed (the same as the rest of the traffic before anybody comments) and my car weighs in the region of 2.5 tonnes the result would not have been pleasant if I hadn't have hit the brakes. There wasn't enough room and he shouldn't have done it. Volvos may be strong but I can gaurantee that they are not unbreakable. I expressed my concern so the idiot decided that it was appropriate to slow down to 60 in lane 3

Andy

 

[Viper]

Was driving towards York on the A59 in no rush at all. I saw a tractor wihch had been waiting an absolute age to pull put (medium traffic). I took pity on him and let him out (I had an idea he was going to a farm not far down the road). The guy behind me took serious offence to my actions and started hooting and beeping at me, which I swiftly greeted with my middle finger followed by the w**ker sign. Cue some more beeping and an angry man.

Carried on down the road, tractor pulled off shortly and off i went. Couldnt see the angry guy behind me, so he was clearly going fairly slowly. I got to the roundabout at the end of the road by which time he had caught up with me, pulled up next to me and actioned for me to put my window down. He started rollocking me for causing an obstruction on the road, to which I replied "you've just stopped at a roundabout to have a go at me. now who's causing an obstruction you *insert obscenity here*"

'My wife is going to take your reg number!!'
"Don't bother, I'll f'ing tell you it"

I loved saying that


I get quite a few heated moments when I'm driving. I seem to attract retards. I've had a full on swerve and brake test with some guy on the Newcastle central motorway because he cut me up big style.

A woman pulled out on me at a roundabout and then stopped in the middle of it. So I pulled in front of here and refused to move (no one behind me).

I've had the usual of someone driving at me, so I hoot, then they call me every name under the sun. Every time that happens the red mist descends!

 

[Viper]

You wait til you need to make a claim, then they will make extremely sure that all details on your policy are correct

I really don't understand road rage, it's really not worth raising your blood pressure over.

Was on my way home on the M4, behind someone in the middle lane doing usual motorway speed, checked mirror, was a car a fair old distance behind in the fast lane, loads of room, so I moved out to overtake. I'm cruising past the car in the middle lane, and it becomes apparent that the car behind is actually doing upwards of 110mph and bearing down on me, and proceeds to sit on my arse flashing headlights and undertakes me the second there is a car length to fit through, and is screaming and gesturing out his window.

Just makes me laugh, brightened up my journey. Makes me feel glad I'm not a compelte d**k

That would lead me to believe you cannot judge someone's speed well. I get this A LOT when I drive to Newcastle. So many people who pull out because they cannot judge my speed and I end up having to brake fairly hard. This, as you would imagine causes serious irritation as it happens countless times on a 1hr 20 journey :bang:

 

[foodpoison]

Hey guys. Just experienced my first car crash.

I would leave it without any details and see how many of you EXPECT that it was my fault

Funniest bit about the crash is: This is the roundabout that I was talking about in my opening post.

Ironic, huh.

Anyway, the story:

I'm coming towards the roundabout, the roundabout is clear and so I enter the roundabout doing 30mph, I'm going straight on.

The cars on the exit to my left all stop, as they should do, as I am on the roundabout, I have right of way, and they must give way. The exit is now to my 10 o'clock, and a red alfa romeo appears from behind the cars (there are 2 lanes on the exit to my left, he was in the left, the stopped cars were in the right) and bolts out onto the roundabout, straight into the side of me, doing about 45mph.

I had enough time to think, "Oh f***" and that was it. It was like my life had sped up, but so had my senses. I realised everything that was happening around me, but I knew it was happening very quickly.

The force of the impact fired the airbags, our cars collided, spun, the rear ends of the cars collided and we careered off in opposite directions. As soon as my car had pulled to a stop I had already undone my seatbelt and had jumped out of the car to check if the other guy was alright. He was pretty hurt as his car was old and not as designed to smash into someone's ford focus doing 45mph.

He got out, apologised (and by doing so basically accepted liability).

Police were on the scene quickly, took a report, etc etc.
The officer said to me and my parents that it was an open and shut case. I was on the roundabout, he hit the side of me, no damage to my front bumper, 100% his fault, and the insurance company (we both are on the same company) agreed.

Annoyingly, they'll undervalue my car and try and give me even less. I now have no car, a very very stiff, painful wrist, a pain in my neck (both literal and metaphorical) and a shooting pain in my leg every now and again.

Yeah, I'm likely to have an accident.
Hardly my fault though.

My car after it.

The main bulk of the damage.

The other end of my car, the other damage.

Caused the headlight to pop out.

Windscreen smashed from the impact.

 

[foodpoison]

Overexposed, I understand where you're coming from.

Inexperience leads to mistakes leads to accidents.
Young drivers = Inexperienced.

I do believe that is the sole reason for the insurance premium being high. Irrelevant of age. Please think carefully when using the term 'young drivers'. I think a more fitting term is 'new drivers'.

Also I don't like the opinion you have that if someone stops to have a go it's usually because I'm doing something wrong, quoted here:

Dominic
Most of the comments here are from youngers drivers moaning about Audi BMW etc Drivers saying they are arrogant - yes there's plenty who are but in most cases if you dont goad them you dont get a reaction and comments like I keppt my distance etc just dont wash as why would another driver stop if you were driving sensibly behind them? If you mess with people you wind them up !

Why would someone punch me in the middle of the street after Southampton when I was just asking him to leave my friend alone? People react over the slightest of things, such as being a little too close for his liking for all of 15 metres.

Just because I'm a younger driver, and he was an older (albeit more experienced) driver, please don't take his word for it. What a horrific society we'd live in where people were believed dependant on their age. If I'd have not disclosed my age or even hinted that I was a newer driver, I wonder what you may have thought then?

Don't take this the wrong way buddy, I'm not trying to show hostility (I know how easy it is to misinterpret someone online) but my point is this: I'm a new driver (I've been driving for 2 and a half years), I've had an accident that was not even close to being my fault, and I understand I'm more likely to make a mistake under pressure than someone who is far more experienced, but try not to condemn me for it. Give me the benefit of the doubt.

 

[Splog]

Some people just never learn ... :shake: