12-D-xxxx Little old lady-wagon

MarkAnthony

***Begin Rant*** (You may want to skip this bit)

So this was going to go in the dashcam thread but then it turned into a bit more so I'll post it here.

Firstly check your connections on your cam if like me you've a stupid extension - I've:

(i) left it unplugged before
(ii) Today had it cut out at the wrong moment so cant post a video in the right thread - doh.

So coming up to Raheny there are two lanes which merge in fairly soon after the junction. So I try and 'merge in like a zip' but the guy is a bit close after I was politely waiting for someone to sort themselves out. The woman in front has left loads of space and I'm still in the merging lane so go to pull in. She suddenly goes from 40 to 60 to deliberately cut off me pulling in. So I'm forced into the left cycle lane - pretty crappy move I thought and looked intentional on her part.

With that there was probably space behind her but a combination of back being up and not wanting to slam on lest the person behind ends up in the back of me through no fault of their own I beep to let her know I'm there. Silly cow speeds up and slows down to keep me there on the left.

Now I know she's playing silly buggers. Although in fairness this is happening over a short space of road. Matey behind see's whats going on and kindly lets me in.

So I end up following her (not covering myself in glory I know), get break tested on the turn into the shopping centre. (Bear in mind all this the bloody cam is off ) and it turns out to be some little old lady in her 60s or 70s rather than a boy racer. I asked her several times what the story was - relatively politely - no shouting or anything like that. I'd have been happy with I'd right of way, or I didn't see you instead I got an attitude that confirmed she had done it on purpose.

So you get a long winded post rather than a nice little dash cam vid - sorry. But you also get top criticise!

***End Rant***

So the main purpose of my post.

Got on to Raheny Garda Station - as I was sure (despite some fault on my side I admit) she was a danger. Guards were extremely nice but did let me know they'd have to seize the cam even though the footage wasn't on it. They did seem to indicate that this was because I'd told her, although they might do it regardless.

So I guess what I'm saying is check your Cam and careful what you say.

Mods I've said what I was going to say no back and forth from me - I realise this is very very boring but I needed to share. I wont get offended at people taking the p***.

xabi

Unless im missing something you were wrong on 2 counts, not merging properly and following an old lady.

MarkAnthony

One last point - anyone know why my 0803 is showing MPH not KPH even though the number is correct. E.g. 50MPH is actually 50KPH.

Markcheese

xabi wrote: »

Unless im missing something you were wrong on 2 counts, not merging properly and following an old lady.

Why is following a little old dear wrong /illegal - yes I could understand if op was threatening or intimidating in any way -but he wasn't --
Mind you I can't see what you'd achieve anyway-

CiniO

Ladies in their 60s-70s are usually the worst.
About 7 years ago, I got cut in front on a roundabout (Kilmartin in Athlone) by lady doing taking 3rd or 4th exit (270 degrees) on the roundabout on outside lane.
Coincidentally we were going to the same place, and parked next to each other.
I mentioned that she nearly caused an accident and it was wrong way to negotiate the roundabout, to which she replied (upon finding out by my accent I was't Irish) that she lives here all her life, and she knows best how to drive, and no foreigners are going to tell her how to drive in her own country. I just wished good luck to her in her future driving.

MarkAnthony

Sorry mod - poor judgement posting the reg. Thanks for removing it.

xabi

Markcheese wrote: »

Why is following a little old dear wrong /illegal - yes I could understand if op was threatening or intimidating in any way -but he wasn't --
Mind you I can't see what you'd achieve anyway-

the following to confront is intimidating, how would you feel if it was your mother?

MarkAnthony

xabi wrote: »

the following to confront is intimidating, how would you feel if it was your mother?

Sorry I promised no back and forth and this is the only exception:

Didn't know it was an old dear (ah-hem) drove like a 25 year old with a small willy.

She wasn't in the slightest bit intimidated! Evidence by the break check for one and that I think sh'd have taken me in a fight.

If it was my mother she'd probably end up in the pub with them (taxi of course)

Quite agree with you though Xabi (and Mark) pointless exercise which had the potential to intimidate. My dick level really does increase behind the wheel - really, really need to work on that.

colm_mcm

Do you think you acted differently because you had a dashcam?

Crumbs868

colm_mcm wrote: »

Do you think you acted differently because you had a dashcam?

That's a very good question. I find a lot of dash cam owners (esp cyclists) try to get themselves in situations so they can post on YouTube. Some of the videos doing the rounds (not so much on boards) are ridiculous and strongly suspect that minus dash am they would have taken a different action.

Life is too short

Jesus.

Disgraceful behaviour on behalf of the OP

MarkAnthony

colm_mcm wrote: »

Do you think you acted differently because you had a dashcam?

Direct question (from mod) so I'll answer it - the dash cam helps me let the little ones go tbh as I can post it and have a bit of a laugh about it. I certainly don't put myself in a situation to get dash cam footage. I think I've tried to post 4 vids in a year as an example.

I'd have been more likely to confront the person without the cam to be honest. I also use it as a tool to make me a better driver. I had a Merc do a little bit of a sharp stop on a round about, I reviewed it - I didn't do anything wrong as was in the speed limit so chalked it up to someone else making a mistake.

I need to learn to let things go frankly. It just irks me when someone pulls something dangerous. I suppose that's a reaction to my own life experiences but there we go. I've yet to meet the perfect driver, some will no doubt tell me I should hand my licence in, I suspect if those people had dash cams and we were allowed to view them though...

Met a perfect pilot once - Fleet Air Arm. He told me himself.

EDIT One of the reasons I've resisted a helmet cam is I am sure it would make me more aggressive. Not so with the car tbh - I'm very placid 99% of the time although I do find frustration creeping in when I consider people are dithering.