False sense of security?

[Traveller]

After the other day I'm left wondering whether owning and driving a prestige car is not healthy for certain individuals.

I was tootling along (70-75mph) the M18 the other day, traffic was busy, road conditions good, visability good. I was in the left lane, occasionally having to overtake streams of HGVs as one does. I always use my rear view mirrors when pulling out to overtake. After a long period of weaving from lane to lane to avoid HGV collision, I looked to contemplate yet another lane manoevre when I saw blazing zenon headlamps in my rear view mirror, so first mental calculation was to judge how fast the car was approaching.
He was closing very quickly, and I like all good drivers had signalled my intention to move out, knowing, that I was virtually on the edge of exceeding the speed limit, and both our speeds should have been negligible. Judging by the perceived distance I had him at about 500 yds. so I pulled out to overtake. The lights got closer and bigger very quickly, therefore he must have been really hauling, and he had to dig in on the brakes. He also thought to signal his intentions with full headlights at a distance of about 100 yds. Because of the few seconds it took for these events to take place I was keeping tabs on his distance and realised he was a potential rear end threat !!
So I pulled in sharply and safely avoiding my HGV and allowed him to pass.
As he got roughly level with me, he piled on the power of his 5 series BMW, glared viciously and carried on drinking from a plastic cup in his left hand. I also observed what looked like an opened tin foil package on the dash top, clearly sandwiches of some description.
This guy was middle aged, stuffed shirt type.
I was left wondering how a person of that age, wealth, etc can have adopted such a bad road attitude.

 

[BlackC55]

He may think that he is "above it all" and can abuse the road system because he is in a prestige brand. He is probably struggling in the trouser dept so he has to make up for it by driving agressivly.

 

[recycled]

Apologies to all proper Bavaria Motor Works drivers

 

[Benzowner]

I always use my rear view mirrors when pulling out to overtake.

I hope you use a little more than just rear view mirror,

 

[tmienterprises]

I wouldnt say that its people who drive a certain maque that do it, fans of the 3 pointed star are also sometimes guilty.. the last bank holiday weekend, I was driving down the M1 from sheffield and since it was a 4 hour drive, I was taking it easy, cruise control set to 71 mph and generally in the slow lane, moving once in a while to overtake slower drivers..

I then came across this Volvo in the middle lane doing about 70 on a not so busy section and then pulled out from the left lane to behind the Volvo and then overtook him from the right and went back to the left lane. While overtaking, my wife and I noted that the Volvo driver was and old man with his wife .. since we were slightly faster than him, I could them see them in my rear view mirror and I then saw a Merc pull up behind him, lights on and blazing (this is at about 11 am, clear sunny day).. the poor man got scared, acclerated and overtook us while still in the middle lane, but did the Merc let go? No chance, the Merc driver - middle aged guy driving a p reg c220 cdi (got your number mate) chased him for the good part of 5 minutes, even though the fast lane was pretty empty and he could have just overtaken and gone on his way.....till the Volvo took one of the exits and the Merc continued on its way...

Cue a talk in the car about prestige badges and arrogance of their drivers....

 

[Rose Chap]

... so then this doddering Merc pulls out from no-where doing about 65 and I have to stand on the brakes to avoid rear ending him. Merc drivers are such **** etc etc etc

Okay so I made that up, but there are two sides to every story and I'm sure he felt (correctly or incorrectly) as aggrieved as you.

I'm glad you're okay Traveller and you should be commended for not reponding to his aggression in kind.

 

[neilrr]

I wouldnt say that its people who drive a certain maque that do it, fans of the 3 pointed star are also sometimes guilty.. the last bank holiday weekend, I was driving down the M1 from sheffield and since it was a 4 hour drive, I was taking it easy, cruise control set to 71 mph and generally in the slow lane, moving once in a while to overtake slower drivers..

I then came across this Volvo in the middle lane doing about 70 on a not so busy section and then pulled out from the left lane to behind the Volvo and then overtook him from the right and went back to the left lane. While overtaking, my wife and I noted that the Volvo driver was and old man with his wife .. since we were slightly faster than him, I could them see them in my rear view mirror and I then saw a Merc pull up behind him, lights on and blazing (this is at about 11 am, clear sunny day).. the poor man got scared, acclerated and overtook us while still in the middle lane, but did the Merc let go? No chance, the Merc driver - middle aged guy driving a p reg c220 cdi (got your number mate) chased him for the good part of 5 minutes, even though the fast lane was pretty empty and he could have just overtaken and gone on his way.....till the Volvo took one of the exits and the Merc continued on its way...

Cue a talk in the car about prestige badges and arrogance of their drivers....

Good.

Chase those middle lane hoggers off the motorway!

 

[masqueraid]

He was closing very quickly, and I like all good drivers had signalled my intention to move out, knowing, that I was virtually on the edge of exceeding the speed limit, and both our speeds should have been negligible.

Clearly that style of BMW driver is easily confused by the use of indicators, & possibly even envious that you had them installed

 

[Brian WH]

Moved to Driving/Incidents section.

It is always difficult to judge a cars speed behind you if his headlights are on. However my advise is if in doubt hold back, unless you have the power to accelerate up to his perceived speed, you live longer that way mate.

 

[Traveller]

Moved to Driving/Incidents section.

It is always difficult to judge a cars speed behind you if his headlights are on. However my advise is if in doubt hold back, unless you have the power to accelerate up to his perceived speed, you live longer that way mate.

The point of my post Brian, was to point out the maniacal way the guy was driving, given he is probably a well heeled member of society, not to suggest the risk to me personally. After many years of Rally Sport I'm well able and capable of looking after myself on the road and off-road.

I suggest or hope, this type of driver is in the minority, but wonder why such bad road behaviour has become apparent of late, or am I getting old?

 

[glojo]

It is always difficult to judge a cars speed behind you if his headlights are on. However my advise is if in doubt hold back, unless you have the power to accelerate up to his perceived speed, you live longer that way mate.

Fully endorse this. With hindsight we all know this was NOT an emergency vehicle, but if something is closing quite fast then first off it could have been an emergency vehicle, or......... a vehicle being driven by a 'nutter', car thief, bank robber etc etc. If its closing fast then the sooner you have a view of the rear bumper the better and perhaps safer you are.

John

 

[Traveller]

Fully endorse this. With hindsight we all know this was NOT an emergency vehicle, but if something is closing quite fast then first off it could have been an emergency vehicle, or......... a vehicle being driven by a 'nutter', car thief, bank robber etc etc. If its closing fast then the sooner you have a view of the rear bumper the better and perhaps safer you are.

John

Again, point missed, the guys driving well, well in excess of the speed limit, with one hand on the wheel and having breakfast!
I don't care if he was a doctor on call, the Queen's Equery or Michael Schumacker....the point is he's a f------ nutcase.
Question is....why is it happening?
Gottit?

 

[robert.saunders]

But when you first saw the vehicle you only saw him approaching, at speed, headlights on - by your original description, I wouldn't have pulled out on him, whether it's right or wrong to travel at "high speed".

Going past you, the "breakfast" seen and driving one-handed will only compound your thoughts he was and probably still is, an idiot. There are lots about unfortunately, I don't think it's BMW specific Plenty of Mondeo's will be driven like that

Rob

 

[BonzoDog]

Again, point missed, the guys driving well, well in excess of the speed limit, with one hand on the wheel and having breakfast!
I don't care if he was a doctor on call, the Queen's Equery or Michael Schumacker....the point is he's a f------ nutcase.
Question is....why is it happening?
Gottit?

I think the point others are making and my own is that we can act, as neither, judge, jury nor executioner in these cases; it is just best to keep out of the way.

 

[mark.t]

my comment was removed ...... and i only said pratts.....pr**ts so who ever removed it could you put it back please ..... as pratt is not swearing in my book...... and if you removed mine for pr**ts then the mod who removed it better look at the post above and read that ......eh old sharp eye

regards Mark.t

 

[R2e]

I suggest or hope, this type of driver is in the minority, but wonder why such bad road behaviour has become apparent of late, or am I getting old?

Well I must be getting old too. How people behave in cars, I just don't believe it................!

It's worrying when policemen look too young to be your son

I'm really looking forward to retiral when I can buy a hat and sit in the motorway middle lane at less than 50mph, fumble at the checkout queue for change, be completely disgusted at the behaviour of young people - it would never be allowed when I was a lad, loiter in shop doorways unsure whether to go in or out and causing maximum disruption, wet myself without knowing or caring, oh yes it's going to be a complete joy to get my own back

With apologies to those retired members who have not yet discovered their second childhood or lost control of their bladders