Please reassure me I AM bloody right?! (Rules of the road)

[JaneS]

Hmm, as if that title isn't asking for a flaming!

I live in a little network of streets - parking bays often on both sides of the road so often there is only room for one car. Obviously, you get very used to quickly reversing out of someone's way, and it's usually your neighbours trying to park who're in the other car, so it is all good-natured.

I was coming along between two sets of parked cars, wanting to turn right into another small road. Someone else was just coming out of that road (he had a give-way line across him), and he was turning left towards me. Without thinking much, I got into reverse as I know it's actually an easier bit of road for me to reverse on. He revved towards me - quite aggressively - and he was on the phone so made no eye-contact, didn't smile or mouth 'thanks' or anything, which is what most people would do.

I parked up about 10 metres down the road and got out to see him getting out of his own car. I do admit I probably gave him a foul look as I was pissed off and don't like people revving towards me when I'm reversing!

He turned to me, muttered 'fucking bitch driver' and turned away. I said 'excuse me' and he turned back, ostentatiously put his hand over the phone and said 'I'm on the PHONE'. But it was clear he was talking to me or about me.

Please tell me he is a tosser and a twat and an ignorant wanker who will shortly get his car bashed by someone less patient than me who doesn't get out of his way?

(Er ... or the calm version, which I'm not feeling: I was right that if there's a giveway, he should be reversing to let me through, even if he is turning left and I am turning right?)

hang on no.... I think I get you now that i've written it out.

I think

And I though our two way national road with random one lane bridges were fun.....

Phew thanks.:o

Thought I was going mad.

Did you by any chance pass the passing place you ended up reversed into, when he was visible to you ?

Sounds rather like a standard reversing standoff.
And my rule of thumb is:

1. Both parties count back how many car (lengths) you have to reverse.
2. One with least cars to reverse .... reverses.

cumfy ... sorry it was confusing for you.

I did walk past the passing place - but I couldn't have parked there; you can only park in permit bays around here.

Most people around here do exactly what you say about reversing, which is why I immediately reversed, knowing it was easier for me. But it wasn't a standoff. He did not have right of way. He should have let me through. It was a courtesy for me to let him through and most people would give me a smile or a wave for doing so - they certainly wouldn't call me a 'bitch driver'.

I would never mind reversing in that situation, even though it's my road. What I minded was that he revved towards me, not looking at me and on his phone. We were very close together and he could very easily have hit me had I suddenly braked (not unusual, given I was close to the corner of the road behind and someone else could have come road).

I would have thought that he was on the minor road, you were on the major road, hence he ought to give way to you. Sounds as though you couldn't turn in to the road because of the position of his car, so you acted in a considerate manner by reversing, and I really cannot see what his problem was. He sounds arrogant and aggressive.

Thanks Inertia. I think that's right, I was just confused by him as he clearly thought he was right.

DH thinks he may not have noticed the give way sign and may have assumed I should have given way ... still, don't quite see why he'd have sworn at me, since I did reverse for him!

Ah well ... I feel much less shaky now: the power of MN therapy!

You did nothing wrong HE was breaking the law by using a mobile whilst driving, pity you didn't get his reg and ring the police. He s a twat. Unfortunately I often reverse when I have the right of way to avoid confrontation. Some people are just rude.

YANBU. His outburst musth ave helped him to feel manly. What a twat he is.

He Was A Knob, and a mannerless one too, plus if he was on the phone while driving (that bit's not 100% clear) then he was breaking the law.

And you were being very courteous - especially as he should have been the one to reverse.

Mind you, I think I know the bit you're talking about in Jericho and you're right - it should have some kind of one-way system set up round there! They've managed it in other parts of Oxford where it's similarly narrow. Perhaps he thought it was one way and that you were driving the wrong way down it? Still no excuse for his boorish mannerlessness though.

Thanks muminthemiddle, Eeyore (darn, I was distracted by the thought of delicious veal you rejected! ).

I didn't get his reg and DH thinks I should have. The thing is, I think it is very normal to reverse if it's easy for you, but most people give you a wave or something!

What a twat. I feel better now - I was as shaky as hell when I came home and really nervous about it all.

oh, did i miss out on a fiver

the diagram helped... not a lot. he's a wanker (even though it's too late for my fiver)

He's a twat.

Being on his phone while driving, driving aggressively and gobbing off at another driver aren't on even if he had been in the right to start with.

I am not sure I understand for sure who had right of way in the first place but the rest of his behaviour makes who had or didn't have right of way pretty unimportant.

Sorry about the lack of clarity - it is a really strange road setup, but I am feeling much better now and was really feeling awful at first, so thanks everyone!

Oh, hello, you must be one of my neighbours!

I do know what you mean - I constantly find cyclists go the wrong way up one-way streets here!

Very nice of you to comment.

LittleRedDragon

Thanks Eeyore! Suddenly, the milk seems appealing too!

When I am subjected to tossery behaviour like this I always think 'you will probably die young from a heart attack or stroke because of constant aggression and the inevitable high blood pressure'. Not very charitable but it makes me feel better.

(Not in any way suggesting that people who are afflicted with these conditions are aggressive - just that aggressive people put themselves under unecessary stress).

He probably will Bessom, if he doesn't die of starting a fight he couldn't finish first.

Sis had a similar experience yesterday in a car park. Was nearly hit by a driver reversing out of a parking space. He turned on her and called her a f....ng ugly bitch etc etc. All i could say to her was that he is the one with the problem and not her. would say same to you op.

Thanks frankie. Hope your SIL is feeling ok now.

Thank you. Think she has calmed down.

Good.

I was bloody terrified, I'm so glad I'm not the only one!