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What kind of person beeps a learner driver?

13»

Comments

  • #102
    Wibbs
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 60,170 Mod ✭✭✭✭Wibbs


    mohawk wrote: »
    You won’t pick up all the skills you need driving in deserted industrial estates.
    Oh most certainly, but to learn all the other skills you mention you need the foundation of basic car control. Now with more and more autos and EV's in the mix at least clutch control and shifting gears is one less motor skill and distraction for new drivers so that's a bonus. I've given some basic lessons to learner drivers in the past and I found the gear changing was the biggest initial hurdle to overcome. Basic steering seems to come naturally enough and quickly enough, though people do vary in their fine motor control abilities. Some are smoother and more in control than others.

    Rejoice in the awareness of feeling stupid, for that’s how you end up learning new things. If you’re not aware you’re stupid, you probably are.



  • #103
    AndrewJRenko
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29,488 ✭✭✭✭AndrewJRenko


    Hamsterchops wrote: »
    I'm guessing somebody who hasn't noticed the L badge? Maybe it was obscured by reflecting sunlight or something?

    You can't beep a Learner, it's just not on.

    If you can't see an L plate, you shouldn't be driving.


  • #104
    GT89
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 2,770 ✭✭✭GT89


    mohawk wrote: »
    You won’t pick up all the skills you need driving in deserted industrial estates. Couple of examples would be you need to learn to judge when is safe to pull out at a junction or roundabout. You need to learn to deal with other peoples terrible driving, drive in stop start traffic, learn to take off fast when traffic light goes green, correct road and lane positioning.

    You learn some great lessons out on the road making errors such as cutting out etc.

    Exactly. Deserted industrial estates are only good for complete beginners learning the basics of how make the car stop and go.


  • #105
    AndrewJRenko
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29,488 ✭✭✭✭AndrewJRenko


    ShatterAlan wrote: »
    There is one purpose and one purpose only for a car horn and that is to alert someone to danger such as a pedestrian in their own little world crossing the road oblivious to you oncoming or a cyclist driffting into your path as you approach or even someone driving with one of their wheels wobbling around because the lugnuts weren't tightened probably.

    It's not to express your impatience, anger or disapproval at someone's mistake.

    It's ok to give a quick tap on the horn if someone is daydreaming and didn't notice the light turning from red to green but that's about it. Blasting the horn at a rookie for some petty misdemeanour is a crappy thing to do. The instructor who is probably a better driver than 95% of us is more than qualified to point out the mistake.

    You're broadly right, but you should be giving any cyclist enough passing space so that a little drifting, which could be caused by gusty wind or road condition, doesn't cause any concern for either of you.


  • #106
    ThewhiteJesus
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 1,714 ✭✭✭ThewhiteJesus


    We all have to learn so i wouldn't beep at anyone who's clearly learning,
    I always find it's the worst kind of people that beep, usually little men or really aggressive women


  • #107
    AndrewJRenko
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29,488 ✭✭✭✭AndrewJRenko


    glasso wrote: »
    what about after they stall on two consecutive sets of long-change lights and have built up a massive rack of happy drivers behind them.... :rolleyes:

    Yeah, beep louder and more frequently, that will definitely help to solve the problem and get you to the back of the next queue of cars quicker.
    :rolleyes:
    :rolleyes:
    :rolleyes:


  • #108
    cgcsb
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,761 ✭✭✭cgcsb


    Wibbs wrote: »
    Either that or driver aggression is actively good for safety. Not. I follow the rules of the road, keep to the speed limits too and can't honestly recall the last time I had another motorist blow the horn at me. My car horn stopped working once and I didn't notice until the next NCT. It may have stopped working a day after the previous NCT, I have no clue, but I didn't notice its loss so clearly I don't beep at others too often either. It would be my opinion that if someone is noticing being beeped at as a regular consistent thing, it's less likely to be other road users, it's almost certainly them. I knew a guy like this. Had a bee in his bonnet about being beeped at. Didn't take much notice until he gave me a lift once. He was an appallingly bad driver. Oh he stuck to the rules alright, but sped up and slowed down for no apparent reason and his car control was decidedly under par. But it was everybody else's fault.

    Do you drive much, I find people will beep because I won't enter a yellow box and block it for example. I was probably exaggerating when I said 'all the time'. It's not all the time, but certainly a weekly event.


  • #109
    Wibbs
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 60,170 Mod ✭✭✭✭Wibbs


    GT89 wrote: »
    Exactly. Deserted industrial estates are only good for complete beginners learning the basics of how make the car stop and go.
    Those "basics" aren't so basic. They're fundamental in learning to drive. I'd bet the majority of ire from other drivers is when a learner fails to make the car stop and go when required.

    Rejoice in the awareness of feeling stupid, for that’s how you end up learning new things. If you’re not aware you’re stupid, you probably are.



  • #110
    cgcsb
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,761 ✭✭✭cgcsb


    Wibbs wrote: »
    If someone kicked off my wing mirror I'd be hard pressed not to mow them down. They'd most certainly be getting a kicking.

    He had already attempted and failed to mow me down and I doubt he'd lift his foot high enough to kick anything without some sort of cardiac episode. He remained in the vehicle and was much safer in doing so.


  • #111
    cgcsb
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,761 ✭✭✭cgcsb


    Wibbs wrote: »
    Spain, Portugal, England, Germany can be pretty bloody bad too. We're not particularly aggressive in my experience. Smells more than a bit of the usual Irish ego insecurity of "ah sure we're terrible aren't we" ballsology. The stats appear to paint a very different picture.

    In 2019, the EU countries with the best road safety records were Sweden and Ireland, while the member states with the worst ones were Romania, Bulgaria and Poland.

    This is a measure of road deaths, not a measure of driver aggression. Ireland also is sparsely populated and lightly trafficked in comparison to most of those countries.


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  • #112
    breezy1985
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27,106 ✭✭✭✭breezy1985


    Atlantic Dawn wrote: »
    Tomorrow stick an L plate on your car and drive as normal, you will see the abuse you get despite driving the same as normal.

    On a side note I've noticed the standard of driving has gone to complete sheite in the lockdown, people jumping red lights, driving right up your hole, not waiting at junctions, reaction times of a dead person etc etc, people are either up to their gills on happy pills or have other things on their minds.

    Turning on your indicator after you have started to turn. Had 2 idiots across from each other hold up a crossroads neither indicating so both looking like they are going straight on but both stopped waiting for the other to move so they could turn. Both would have been straight through if they indicated like they should.

    Neither had L plates so both were clearly perfect drivers


  • #113
    Jequ0n
    Registered Users Posts: 6,412 ✭✭✭Jequ0n


    Don’t you just love people who feel offended and outraged by every little thing?
    So refreshing
    And god forbid you hurt anybody’s feelings


  • #114
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    KathleenGrant wrote: »
    A cnut.

    This in spades.

    Beeping doesn't help a learner, it just makes them more anxious, and more likely to keep cutting out.

    It happened to my daughter one time when she went out for practice. She cut out at a red light with a steep hillstart. (I was in the passenger seat, I'm a fully licenced driver).

    The sheer agression from drivers behind us left her badly shaken and destroyed her confidence. I had to take over and drive home - it took her over a year to get back in and drive again.

    If the drivers behind had just shown a little patience, (it was 11am on a sunday morning, so where they were rushing too, I don't know) she would have been able to get the car going again, but instead, they decided to act like complete cnuts.

    We were all learners once.


  • #115
    breezy1985
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27,106 ✭✭✭✭breezy1985


    https://youtu.be/iBxloSkObYc

    I'm a big fan of Dara's advice here only difference is I do it on a bicycle


  • #116
    Jequ0n
    Registered Users Posts: 6,412 ✭✭✭Jequ0n


    [Deleted User] wrote: »
    This in spades.

    Beeping doesn't help a learner, it just makes them more anxious, and more likely to keep cutting out.

    It happened to my daughter one time when she went out for practice. She cut out at a red light with a steep hillstart. (I was in the passenger seat, I'm a fully licenced driver).

    The sheer agression from drivers behind us left her badly shaken and destroyed her confidence. I had to take over and drive home - it took her over a year to get back in and drive again.

    If the drivers behind had just shown a little patience, (it was 11am on a sunday morning, so where they were rushing too, I don't know) she would have been able to get the car going again, but instead, they decided to act like complete cnuts.

    We were all learners once.

    They were probably late of mass - I hear you get barred from heaven if you’re late more than once

    No offence meant but if your daughter was too scared to get back behind the wheel because people beeped at her once she probably wasn’t ready to be on the road


  • #117
    gypsylee
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 746 ✭✭✭gypsylee


    My son is a learner driver (cos its taking forever to get a test date at the minute!) and drives to work in his own car. I have to go with him and drive the car home. It's great seeing all the frustrated white van men on the motorway when I am driving back home cos of the L plate on the back window. Like a red rag to a bull!


  • #118
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    She was more then ready, she just froze.

    Not to worry though, it was a very long narrow road with no room for the aggressive cnuts behind to overtake, so I made sure I took my sweet time for the next few kms, to let them cool their jets.

    I can be a cnut too, when you piss me off enough.


  • #119
    Graces7
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 32,634 ✭✭✭✭Graces7


    Sonics2k wrote: »
    Okay, but in what possible way does beeping at said learner driver help?

    I've been on the road nearly 20 years and it never occurs to me to beep at an L plate. They're learning, and beeping at them serves no good at all.

    Oh WELL SAID! I have already driven for over 50 years and never ever beeped at anyone unless there was real danger. which was rare.

    People who beep are probably folk who failed their test a few times and are taking their frustration out on learners. Not kind.


  • #120
    Jequ0n
    Registered Users Posts: 6,412 ✭✭✭Jequ0n


    [Deleted User] wrote: »
    She was more then ready, she just froze.

    Not to worry though, it was a very long narrow road with no room for the aggressive cnuts behind to overtake, so I made sure I took my sweet time for the next few kms, to let them cool their jets.

    I can be a cnut too, when you piss me off enough.

    She froze for a whole year?


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  • #121
    Graces7
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 32,634 ✭✭✭✭Graces7


    GT89 wrote: »
    The test is not in deserted industrial estates. How are you supposed to get used to driving in different conditions if you've only ever driven in a deserted industrial estate. Think about it.


    You need to master basic skills of driving first before even thinking of driving in traffic. So that eg braking, evasive steering etc become second nature

    Car control and driving in traffic are two separate things.

    There was a disused air base near us that folk used to use for that first episode.

    Complete car control is essential before meeting traffic and a lot safer to acquire in a safe situation


  • #122
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    Jequ0n wrote: »
    She froze for a whole year?

    Yep. Sometimes it only takes one bad experience to destroy someone's confidence.

    Even I was shook at the aggressive way she was beeped, and I've been driving for over twenty years, including 3 of those on a motorbike.


  • #123
    07Lapierre
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,256 ✭✭✭07Lapierre


    cgcsb wrote: »
    The person in question didn't just break the law (most people will at some point) but attempted to murder me. We have an unjust society so depending on the courts wouldn't have given me any satisfaction. The wing mirror did though and in a way was probably a better deterrent for future behaviour than any court could administer.


    Criminal damage is not self defence. Next time hit him! :)


  • #124
    mohawk
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,785 ✭✭✭mohawk


    gypsylee wrote: »
    My son is a learner driver (cos its taking forever to get a test date at the minute!) and drives to work in his own car. I have to go with him and drive the car home. It's great seeing all the frustrated white van men on the motorway when I am driving back home cos of the L plate on the back window. Like a red rag to a bull!

    When I was learning I had a little Micra. My partner had to borrow it on occasion. He found other drivers were downright dangerous towards him. Driving right up behind him, overtaking him on bends etc. Far worse then he ever experienced driving his own car.

    When I was learning there was one I was turning left onto a busy road. No break in traffic and after about 30 seconds a car came flying up from behind me and pulled beside me to my right (wrong side of road). I realised he had his left indicator on. My instructor told me to let him off first as driver is such a danger it’s safest thing to do. So the guy took his left turn and I am sure felt like a big man doing it. It’s one thing to beep a learner but some drivers are actually dangerous towards then on the road.


  • #125
    ThewhiteJesus
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 1,714 ✭✭✭ThewhiteJesus


    it amazes me the rage people get themselves into for the sake of a minute or two extra having to wait it's unreal.
    It's why i always laugh when some pig head beeps and someone stops their bike or car and confronts them,
    i always think to myself, good on them i would do the same


  • #126
    Jequ0n
    Registered Users Posts: 6,412 ✭✭✭Jequ0n


    07Lapierre wrote: »
    Criminal damage is not self defence. Next time hit him! :)

    Reminds me of people who feel entitled to damage cars who they perceive to be parked incorrectly


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  • #127
    the beer revolu
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,168 ✭✭✭✭the beer revolu


    Learner drivers who take it upon themselves to cut away all the white part of their L plate should be beeped mercilessly.

    As should people who affix them backwards or upside down.


  • #128
    Wibbs
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 60,170 Mod ✭✭✭✭Wibbs


    cgcsb wrote: »
    Do you drive much, I find people will beep because I won't enter a yellow box and block it for example. I was probably exaggerating when I said 'all the time'. It's not all the time, but certainly a weekly event.
    I'm on the road on a daily basis and have been driving in general for thirty plus years, a mix of urban, suburban and rural on different roads, though I generally try to avoid the city centre tbh. Well it was OK during lockdown. And I honestly can't recall the last time I was beeped by another driver. Hell, I can't recall the last time I beeped the horn myself(missus!). For all I know it's stopped working again. Actually now that I think of it... around this time last year. Stopped at the lights on a slight incline, driver in front started to roll backwards and seemed oblivious. So horn blast. Twice, because they didn't cop the first time. Luckily I tend to keep a decent gap between me and the car in front at lights.

    Otherwise nope. No beeps, most certainly not on a weekly basis. That's crazy. I doubt I'd be alone in this either. And again I generally take my time and don't speed. I'm that guy on motorways doing 90kph in the inside lane. Take it handy on B roads too, unless the road is empty and I have a clear line of sight and know the road in question. Still no beeping or tailgating.
    cgcsb wrote: »
    He had already attempted and failed to mow me down and I doubt he'd lift his foot high enough to kick anything without some sort of cardiac episode. He remained in the vehicle and was much safer in doing so.
    It's still twattish behaviour and given your description of the driver you felt emboldened enough to push your luck. I'd bet you'd be a lot meeker in the presence of someone who would be on more equal physical terms.

    Thankfully I've only been in two fist fights as an adult and the last time was when a cyclist came flying down the wrong way on a one way street and ran into the front of my car(I was barely moving as I'd just come out of a side road). Bit of a shock and an initial and natural concern that they were hurt. I got out of the car to make sure he was alright. This propeller head then got aggressive with me oblivious of his own wrong doing and kicked the front of my car and then went to go for me. After his cough was softened I drove off and actually took care to not run over his bike, because I'm not a twat. Now as it happens I give cyclists a wide berth and am very aware of their vulnerability on our roads so the chances of me cutting one off would be slim, but if anyone kicked my mirror off I wouldn't hesitate in pointing out the error of their ways in no uncertain terms and if they pushed it I'd have no hesitation in responding in kind. I'm not aggressive by nature at all, but...

    Rejoice in the awareness of feeling stupid, for that’s how you end up learning new things. If you’re not aware you’re stupid, you probably are.



  • #129
    Wibbs
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 60,170 Mod ✭✭✭✭Wibbs


    ThewhiteJesus wrote: »
    it amazes me the rage people get themselves into for the sake of a minute or two extra
    Agreed. What's the mad rush? In my entire life I've had two situations where I actually needed to get somewhere quickly. Luckily both in the middle of the night when the roads were almost empty and I didn't spare the horses(allegedly) that's for sure, but otherwise? Relax the kacks.

    Rejoice in the awareness of feeling stupid, for that’s how you end up learning new things. If you’re not aware you’re stupid, you probably are.



  • #130
    sporina
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,944 ✭✭✭sporina


    same with old folks.. I would never beep at an old folk driving slow.. I might want to - but I wouldn't


  • #131
    Thelonious Monk
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,479 ✭✭✭✭Thelonious Monk


    I wish everyone on the roads would just take a deep breath and ask themselves why they're in such a rush


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  • #132
    andekwarhola
    Registered Users Posts: 4,639 ✭✭✭andekwarhola


    mohawk wrote: »
    You learn some great lessons out on the road making errors such as cutting out etc.

    Indeed.


  • #133
    andekwarhola
    Registered Users Posts: 4,639 ✭✭✭andekwarhola


    GT89 wrote: »
    The test is not in deserted industrial estates. How are you supposed to get used to driving in different conditions if you've only ever driven in a deserted industrial estate. Think about it.

    Sorry, I'm being too cynical.

    I've absolutely no doubt that all the provisional drivers on the roads are reluctantly and diligently putting in the bare minimum of hours on public roads in order to sit their tests at the soonest opportunity.


  • #134
    NickNickleby
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,826 ✭✭✭NickNickleby


    REading this thread has me reminiscing about my own exploits as a learner.

    My instructor was a guy called Herbie and he drove a yellow car with the engine in the back. I think it might have been some sort of Renault (Dauphine sound familiar, anyone?). The boot was in the front and it always had a couple of big concrete blocks in it. He said it was to give a more solid feel to the steering. We were three lads who were mad keen to drive and all being 17, weren't drinkers so I spent my £2 pocket money (which I kept back from my wages of £9, giving the rest to Mammy) on driving lessons and cigs. Lessons were £1 an hour, so the three of us would book 3 lessons of an evening and then change places throughout the evening, ostensibly to learn from one another's mistakes. But in reality, the thrill of the driving was the thing, even if you weren't the one behind the wheel.

    Herbie got us to drive in all sorts of environments from the beginning. I remember one evening I was behind the wheel on Coolock Lane when it actually was a lane, and the speed limit was 40mph. I was a bit nervous on the bends and tended to ease off the accelerator, but realised the car didn't slow down. Herbie was pressing the duplicate accelerator to keep the speed up :eek: This was probably why I was never beeped to get a move on :pac::pac:

    He said I needed to get used to driving at the proper speed. I later checked, and he had 2 pedals on his side - an accelerator and a brake with rods connecting them to the real ones on the driver side. I often wondered if he had made them himself.

    (bolded bit above keeps me on topic:D)


  • #135
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 18,962 ✭ [Deleted User]


    AndrewJRenko wrote: »
    Yeah, beep louder and more frequently, that will definitely help to solve the problem and get you to the back of the next queue of cars quicker.
    :rolleyes:
    :rolleyes:
    :rolleyes:

    no need to be polluting the busy roads at peak times when they can't even start a car and move away over multiple (5 or 6) attempts on a flat road - do that on a quiet road or car park or industrial estate as said by others.

    pure muppetry going out asking for trouble when the most basic of basic skills of actually moving a car is not there.


  • #136
    ebbsy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,984 ✭✭✭ebbsy


    YoshiReturns wrote: »
    Sexually frustrated people beep more.
    And road runners. beep beep
    And sexually frustrated road runners beep a lot.


    I would get my meat and 2 veg on a regular basis, and I like to beep ?


  • #137
    the beer revolu
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,168 ✭✭✭✭the beer revolu


    Dual control cars do not have an accelerator on the passenger side.


  • #138
    peasant
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,819 ✭✭✭✭peasant


    the beer revolu wrote: »
    Dual control cars do not have an accelerator on the passenger side.

    They don't ?

    Doppelbedienungen-fuer-Ihren-Fahrschulwagen.jpg

    That's a conversion kit for a German driving instructors car. They most certainly do.

    What would be the point of having a dual "control" car when all you get is brakes and clutch ...not much control there.

    BTW...these things also have a sensor on the instructor's side. That gets switched on during your driving test. If the instructor only so much as touches one of their pedals during the test, a light comes on and you've failed :D
    You're also not allowed to take your test in your own car (or any other car than an instructor's car inclusive of instructor and dual controls) over there.


  • #139
    the beer revolu
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,168 ✭✭✭✭the beer revolu


    OK, typically, they don't.
    Really.

    https://www.occars.ie/car-adaptations/dual-controls/


  • #140
    Wibbs
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 60,170 Mod ✭✭✭✭Wibbs


    Yeah, the one and only time I was in an instructors car he only had a brake and clutch on his side. Granted this was so long ago there was a lad walking in front with a red flag.

    Rejoice in the awareness of feeling stupid, for that’s how you end up learning new things. If you’re not aware you’re stupid, you probably are.



  • #141
    peasant
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,819 ✭✭✭✭peasant


    the beer revolu wrote: »
    https://www.occars.ie/car-adaptations/dual-controls/

    Dual controls are fitted to driving school cars so that the driving instructor can stop the car in the event of a safety critical incident.

    Geeez ..the Irish system of driving instruction is even weirder than I thought.
    I never knew that all an Irish instructor gets is a way to stomp on the brakes.

    You live and learn...Thanks for pointing this out.

    I'm quite glad to have had my driving lessons in a dual control car with all the pedals.
    Especially during the first few lessons, the instructor could give you a helping foot with gas and clutch control (mostly without you even realising that this was happening) to take the edge of overwhelming situations, build your confidence and let you focus on the traffic and road.


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  • #142
    Treppen
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,621 ✭✭✭Treppen


    Apoapsis Rex wrote: »
    It's training them for the real world of driving! People do get beeped at. I'm doing them a favour. I usually beep a 2nd time just as they re start the car for some extra teaching.

    Pavlov's horn


  • #143
    AndrewJRenko
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29,488 ✭✭✭✭AndrewJRenko


    glasso wrote: »
    no need to be polluting the busy roads at peak times when they can't even start a car and move away over multiple (5 or 6) attempts on a flat road - do that on a quiet road or car park or industrial estate as said by others.

    pure muppetry going out asking for trouble when the most basic of basic skills of actually moving a car is not there.

    Always funny to hear drivers being concerned about the pollution coming from others, but regardless, none of this is an excuse for beeping. It doesn't help, and will almost certainly lead to further delays by flustering the driver.


  • #144
    NickNickleby
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,826 ✭✭✭NickNickleby


    hahaha, that photo* make the car I was in look like the Flintstones car. Definitely Herbie only had brake and accelerator, which i remember being amazed at - I had to master the clutch on my own. But in reality I'd messed about enough in the old man's car to be able to operate a clutch. The three of us started doing things like taking our foot off the accelerator to see if he was pressing it...

    I often wondered if Herbie made and fitted the controls himself, it was just two bars bracketed to the floor - there was no transmission tunnel. Still at £1 an hour I wasn't complaining.

    Does anyone else remember him, I think he was from Portmarnock? 1971.

    edit: *of the dual controls


  • #145
    cgcsb
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,761 ✭✭✭cgcsb


    Wibbs wrote: »
    I'm on the road on a daily basis and have been driving in general for thirty plus years, a mix of urban, suburban and rural on different roads, though I generally try to avoid the city centre tbh. Well it was OK during lockdown. And I honestly can't recall the last time I was beeped by another driver. Hell, I can't recall the last time I beeped the horn myself(missus!). For all I know it's stopped working again. Actually now that I think of it... around this time last year. Stopped at the lights on a slight incline, driver in front started to roll backwards and seemed oblivious. So horn blast. Twice, because they didn't cop the first time. Luckily I tend to keep a decent gap between me and the car in front at lights.

    Otherwise nope. No beeps, most certainly not on a weekly basis. That's crazy. I doubt I'd be alone in this either. And again I generally take my time and don't speed. I'm that guy on motorways doing 90kph in the inside lane. Take it handy on B roads too, unless the road is empty and I have a clear line of sight and know the road in question. Still no beeping or tailgating.

    It's still twattish behaviour and given your description of the driver you felt emboldened enough to push your luck. I'd bet you'd be a lot meeker in the presence of someone who would be on more equal physical terms.

    Thankfully I've only been in two fist fights as an adult and the last time was when a cyclist came flying down the wrong way on a one way street and ran into the front of my car(I was barely moving as I'd just come out of a side road). Bit of a shock and an initial and natural concern that they were hurt. I got out of the car to make sure he was alright. This propeller head then got aggressive with me oblivious of his own wrong doing and kicked the front of my car and then went to go for me. After his cough was softened I drove off and actually took care to not run over his bike, because I'm not a twat. Now as it happens I give cyclists a wide berth and am very aware of their vulnerability on our roads so the chances of me cutting one off would be slim, but if anyone kicked my mirror off I wouldn't hesitate in pointing out the error of their ways in no uncertain terms and if they pushed it I'd have no hesitation in responding in kind. I'm not aggressive by nature at all, but...

    Ok. Good for you buddy.


  • #146
    sammyjo90
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,176 ✭✭✭✭sammyjo90


    glasso wrote: »
    no need to be polluting the busy roads at peak times when they can't even start a car and move away over multiple (5 or 6) attempts on a flat road - do that on a quiet road or car park or industrial estate as said by others.

    pure muppetry going out asking for trouble when the most basic of basic skills of actually moving a car is not there.

    If lessons are being conducted by an instructor they take you out on the main roads from the very first lesson. Regardless if you have ever driven a car or not before.
    My sisters first lesson and first time in the drivers seat of a car was in merchants road in galway city. Straight off into eyre square no excuses.


  • #147
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 18,962 ✭ [Deleted User]


    AndrewJRenko wrote: »
    Always funny to hear drivers being concerned about the pollution coming from others, but regardless, none of this is an excuse for beeping. It doesn't help, and will almost certainly lead to further delays by flustering the driver.

    polluting the road in the sense of polluting the roads by their presence if they can't even move off a car over multiple attempts - at least get to that level
    sammyjo90 wrote: »
    If lessons are being conducted by an instructor they take you out on the main roads from the very first lesson. Regardless if you have ever driven a car or not before.
    My sisters first lesson and first time in the drivers seat of a car was in merchants road in galway city. Straight off into eyre square no excuses.


    I meant private accompanied learners here - not professional instructors giving lessons. the instructors usually have dual controls so can mitigate the 6 stall in a row at a busy intersection situations.


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