Getting cut off (up?)

corblimey

Just wondering what people here do when they're cut off? Beeping the horn is a little tame for me, but following the driver to their destination and slashing their tyres is rather overkill.

Nuttzz

I take a deep breath, count to 5 and then forget about it.

SouperComputer

laugh, thats what I usually do

whippet

he who beeps last beeps best

fletch

I don't do anything...just slow to down so as not to crash into them

steviec

Your not really gonna achieve anything.

The only time I've ever used my horn is when I'm stopped behind someone at lights and they haven't noticed the filter go green. Then again I have only been driving 3 or 4 months!

fletch

Since I bought my car over 6 months ago I've used my horn once and that was only to check if it is working

prospect

I usually keep staring at their rear view mirror, in a very stern, tut tut tut, shaking head slowly manner, (like your parents used to do when you are bold).
They will look, they always do, I think its smugness. And then hopefully they'll remember their parents used to tell them off for acting the maggot, and then they'll feel an ickle bit guilty.

DukeDredd

It really is infuriating when it happens. Good advice from Nuttzz though - stay calm, a few deep breaths and you'll be on your way again. No point in beeping or anything like that - to be honest it makes people look silly to other drivers when they look!

Chalk

have used my horn once in the past few months.
heading down summerhill, car pulled out of rutland street and drove towards me down the wrong side of the road.
hilarious.

someone cuts me up, ill stare at them through their window as i go past them,
usuaully frightens the ****e out of them as the only reason theyve cut me up is that they "didnt see" me, didnt look more like

tabatha

i cant understand how anyone can only use there horn once in a couple of months. i use mine most days, well every other one at least. there are so many bad drivers out there.

fletch

Chalk wrote:

someone cuts me up, ill stare at them through their window as i go past them,

And for those few seconds you ain't got your eyes on the road....sounds just as dangerous as cutting someone up to me tbh

fletch

tabatha wrote:

i cant understand how anyone can only use there horn once in a couple of months. i use mine most days, well every other one at least. there are so many bad drivers out there.

And what is beeping your horn going to achieve...nothing
Other than scare the poor idiot into doing something even more stupid

tabatha

fletch wrote:

And what is beeping your horn going to achieve...nothing
Other than scare the poor idiot into doing something even more stupid

well not really, depends.....if they are sitting at a green light when u beep they will go. and if they do something more stupid then they get charged and might think twice about doing it again!

fletch

tabatha wrote:

well not really, depends.....if they are sitting at a green light when u beep they will go. and if they do something more stupid then they get charged and might think twice about doing it again!

Fair enough if they haven't noticed a light turn green or summit but beeping only succeeds in intimidating nervous drivers IMO

tabatha

well then why do cars have horns??? if they are intimidating then surley they woulnt have them? anyway, if people are to "nervous" then they shoulnt be driving as this is what causes a lot of accidents!

prospect

tabatha wrote:

well then why do cars have horns???

For going over hump-back bridges,

And when you meet nervous people on horses

DukeDredd

well then why do cars have horns???

And when you're name is Boss Hogg and you need to have some on your bonnet.

tabatha

prospect wrote:

For going over hump-back bridges,

And when you meet nervous people on horses

rofl

dudara

tabatha wrote:

i cant understand how anyone can only use there horn once in a couple of months. i use mine most days, well every other one at least. there are so many bad drivers out there.

I really dislike people who excessivly use their horns. It's a last resort or a warning sign. Not to say "I'm impatient so hurry up".

I've come to the conclusion that lots of drivers are utterly unaware of what surrounds them on the road. They don't look around or ar self-absorbed. Just sheer ignorance of the other thousands of cars on the road.

Paul (MN)

car horns are for pointing out, not giving out.

of course these days they are used exclusively for giving out.
I can't remember the last time I used mine.

Alun

fletch wrote:

And what is beeping your horn going to achieve...nothing
Other than scare the poor idiot into doing something even more stupid

And what if everyone does absolutely nothing, and the people who are acting the maggot think their behaviour is perfectly OK and responsible? If they're honked at often enough, maybe they'll realise they're doing something wrong and cop on. That's my theory anyway.

Victor

There should be a separate "tootle" horn for reminding people at traffic lights.

SouperComputer

Victor wrote:

There should be a separate "tootle" horn for reminding people at traffic lights.

thats a good idea. A nasty horn and a "I am merely gently reminding you to pay attention to the lights" horn

I very rarely beep at people, except when they drift across lanes on a motorway! Think ive used my car horn twice in about six months!

tabatha

what is a horn for but to point of to people that they are either putting themselves in danger and sometimes you or that they need to pay attention. and if its impeding your driving then it is up to you to point it out, simple.

Chalk

fletch wrote:

And for those few seconds you ain't got your eyes on the road....sounds just as dangerous as cutting someone up to me tbh

usually pass them in a very short space of time.
when i said stare i meant just kind of look,
most bikers are used to taking there eyes off the road for short periods of time,
its generally called a "lifesaver check"

black visor and a quick lifesaver as you pass,
not some crazy wicked witch of the west , holding level with them or anything

Dades

Chalk wrote:

black visor and a quick lifesaver as you pass,
not some crazy wicked witch of the west , holding level with them or anything

Ah yes but that's easily countered with the "I'm staring intently ahead of me and can't see you I swear" look.

ando

I'd either beep, flash the lights or do nothing, depends what mood I'm in. On some more adventurous moments, the middle finger would come in handy or the \/\/anker hand movement but its very rare for that to happen.. could be a gard.. could be a phycho you never know who your dealing with

JohnCleary

prospect wrote:

I usually keep staring at their rear view mirror, in a very stern, tut tut tut, shaking head slowly manner, (like your parents used to do when you are bold).
They will look, they always do, I think its smugness. And then hopefully they'll remember their parents used to tell them off for acting the maggot, and then they'll feel an ickle bit guilty.

Thats normally when I slam on the rear brakes

Macy

Take a photo. Freaks them out.

saobh_ie

Do what's required to open up my 'envlope' and carry on. Car horns achieve nothing, not even in an emergency.

Most people will be driving along and you could beep your horn to warn them about something really dangerous and what will they do, maintain tunnel vision on what they're doing and shout to themselves "YEAH! AND F*** YOU TOO. What are ya being at, I didn't do anything wrong!"

All the time unaware of the alien spaceship floating beside them preparing its death ray...

Alun

saobh_ie wrote:

Do what's required to open up my 'envlope' and carry on. Car horns achieve nothing, not even in an emergency.

Most people will be driving along and you could beep your horn to warn them about something really dangerous and what will they do, maintain tunnel vision on what they're doing and shout to themselves "YEAH! AND F*** YOU TOO. What are ya being at, I didn't do anything wrong!"

All the time unaware of the alien spaceship floating beside them preparing its death ray...

"Death Ray", you say? Sounds interesting ... where can I get one fitted to my car?

In the meantime I'll carry on honking, and if only one person takes any notice and realises their wrongdoing, my job will be done BTW, did I mention that I chastise people on the street for dropping litter too? Same kind of thing.

fletch

Chalk wrote:

usually pass them in a very short space of time.
when i said sta....
not some crazy wicked witch of the west , holding level with them or anything

lol lol

fletch

Macy wrote:

Take a photo. Freaks them out.

lol lol....sorry you guys are funny (excuse my pathetic "lol" posts)

peasant

I have to admit, I do the "beep&flash" occasionally ..but only when it's kind of obvious, that somebody was taking advantage of me by being dangerously "cheeky". Most of the time I just let people in ...what's the rush, anyway ...

No horn for the really blind / stupid / mental drivers ...when it gets really dangerous, I've got no time to be beeping ...just BREAK ...BREAK HARDER ...while looking for a "hole" to sverve into if breaking hard is not enough ...

THEN I beep, flash AND gesticulate ...way too late of course ...but the adrenalin rush needs to go somewhere, doesn't it?

stratos

A guy actually cut me up the other day and then had the audacity to give me the finger as he went by. I ended up beside him at the traffic lights and he did the wa nker hand movement. I beamed a big smile at him and blew him a kiss. I was really surprised when he broke his ass laffin' ,funny moment. (btw I'm a bloke too)

KTRIC

A silly little girl decided to change lanes on the M50 last week without warning and swerved right in front of me. I was doing about 120 at the time, I beeped her out of it and she just waved.
Then I drove up beside her (still doing 120), right beside the car and gave her the finger (as ya do !!) and frightened the f*ck out of her because my bike was so close.

It's the only way to do it, now she'll think twice before she does that again.

Victor

SouperComputer wrote:

"I am merely gently reminding you to pay attention to the lights"

"I saw the f***in' light, ye f***in' ****, whats yer f***in' hurry?"

AMurphy

stratos wrote:

..... I beamed a big smile at him and blew him a kiss. I was really surprised when he broke his ass laffin' ,funny moment. (btw I'm a bloke too)

My typical response.... can get some really upset or a date.

However, it depends. Sometimes, you have the "indicator on-incoming missile object" that needs serious alteration and correction is required, so horn, brakes and accelerator all required simultaneously.
I like the "Chinese lady" response. Eyes straight ahead I can't see you, therefore it must be your fault... even though I tried to merge into your passenger seat.

STEVIEC: The only time I've ever used my horn is when I'm stopped behind someone at lights and they haven't noticed the filter go green. Then again I have only been driving 3 or 4 months!

A number of possible responses to that, however, before that a question. Do you not feel like a real mutt when you realize the vehicle in front is not moving cause there is a little ol' dear toodling across the road and right in the path of the first car.
I remember a (feisty) lady co-worker who got out of her car, threw the keys (of her car) at the guy behind and told him, "OK, you drive over her". He was in a Miata, she in a SUV.

What would your response be if the person in front had died while waiting at the light. That happened about here. A freind of mine just returned from Asia fell asleep while stopped at a light and my sister managed to lockherself out of the car at a light, engine running, etc.

Another few responses. Drop the clutch so the car stalls, repeat several times and insure the car then roll backwards to within inches of the car behind. About mid ways though the amber, take off.

Otherwise, the typical requirement about here is a little "tootle" of the horn and "Thank you" wave.

Story time. A friend came up behind a car with 2 girls in it, and like you, either gave them a honk or a tootle, to which they responded with the "finger", to which he responded with another honk and they with another finger...... and on they went, honk, finger, honk, finger down the street till they parted ways.

The other day I was patting down a "smily face" the children has stuck right on the middle of the steering wheel, and of course it would go off at the wrong time.

However, while offering a "friendly reminder" from the No. 2 position to the car ahead may be somewhat effective, don't you just love it when someone about 6 cars back lays on the horn, just cause cars No.s, 5,4,3,2 & 1 do not move fast enough for them. Maybe just newly arrived from Shanghai. Which reminds me, there are places and cities where the MO is first check the horn, switch it on permanently for the life of the car, then start the engine and drive, or something to that effect. Don't you think if using the horn was effective, these places should have driving practices much better than anything you are likely to encounter in US or EU.

http://www.kellys.com/joke9.html

stratos

well there is the old story of the american in africa. he's feeling very superior whilst attending a voodoo night. afterwards he says to a native " I think it's very cute the way tou guys bang your drums and think it will appease your gods and life will be good" . The native replies " I think it's very cute the way you guys blow your horn in Manhattan and think it will affect the traffic !"

DubTony

prospect wrote:

I usually keep staring at their rear view mirror, in a very stern, tut tut tut, shaking head slowly manner, (like your parents used to do when you are bold).

That's exactly what I do, and when I'm feeling really put out, I applaud them and stick up my thumbs. Great fun.

Our man in Havana

What gets me is that old bags will just wave at you when you honk them out of it. Make me even more angry at them.

That brings me to a very near miss involving an old bag a few months ago.
Was coming into Kilkenny and this old bag comes out of a side road without looking, traffic is travelling at a fair speed 90-100 km/h. Narrowly miss her by almost ditching. Horn fully deployed fearing impending impact. Old bag stops, as does a witness behind me, she says she didn't see the traffic and then says she will be on her way. No way says me and the witness who removed the keys from her bagmobile. Called gardai who came very quickly. Turned out that she had no Licence, no tax, no insurance, no nct etc. She was banned before for having bad eyesight.
Old bag was arrested and taken away. It was a funny sight. But it could have turned out nasty will people badly hurt.

AMurphy

We'll all go that way eventually, just give it time and say alive.

There is a mark on a wall outside my moms house where a blind bat bounced off. His son later knocked me off my bike with the same car, though I'll not say he was at fault as I was doing something like this with a bike.....

While approaching a "T" junction on the straight tru section, I observed a car coming up the leg, as there was a railing on my side, not a solid wall.... however, it did not appear to be slowing much, so I did and just as well, car swung out onto the road in front of me and off in one direction or another. I mentioned this to someone later and they verified it was an old guy going for the paper and with the response "he always does that", which would mean, had I been coming the other way, where the wall was solid I'd have no prior notice and probably made contact.
After that I'd approach the same "T" as though he was coming anyway.
I know a (Limerick) lady here who told me her father never had a driving liscense but it did not apear to limit his driving career.

However, I can appreciate these old bats and they are decreasing in numbers pretty rapidly, plus it's difficult to compare them to the 30-something professional barreling about the country in the Company SUV.

bonzai bob

I don't beep my horn too much, only when people nearly kill me.

Once about a week and a half ago, i'm at a set of taffic lights on a two lane road, both lanes are turning right onto another two lane road. It's not that hard to understand right? i'm on the outside lane so obviously i'll be turning onto the outside lane, and inside lane cars stick to their lane, but nooOOOooo, some eejit on the inside lane decides to turn and move into the outside lane, forcing me into the bus lane, that just PISSES me off!!! it show's a complete lack of competence ffs!

I mean what if there was a bus or taxi coming in that lane, where the fúck would that leave me? He got a right royal beeping off me!

Then only a couple of days ago, i was heading onto the M50 southbound coming from Blanch, i was on that big roundabout (does that roundabout have a name?). Now anyone who uses this roundabout will know that it tend to be busy, now when the last set of traffic lights go red then there tends to be a small tailback around the roundabout, so there were cars blocking the path for cars to take the 2nd exit heading into town, and this ****ing woman behind me in her jeep decided to beep me, WHAT THE FÚCK does she want me to do, fair enough i'm in her way but i can't do anything about it ffs, the lights are red. So she pulls around me and gives me an evil look, so i just gave her the finger, i couldn't hold it back, no doubt she drove off fuming.