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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think there should be a law against...

106 replies

DiamondIntRuff · 24/03/2017 18:58

Tractors, cyclists, learner drivers, old doddery drivers, trailers, farm traffic, and generally slow ass people driving half the speed limit from being on the roads during rush hour?

This morning on my way to an important meeting miles away (that I don't have the option of leaving any earlier for due to childcare) a tractor stays in front of me and 30 odd other cars for over 20 miles, going 28mph and not pulling in.

Driving home there is a lane closed on the dual carriageway and I'm stuck behind a car going 30mph for several miles creating a huge tailback.

Then on the school run where I only have fifteen minutes to drive five miles due to work, I am behind a learner again making me late.

Don't even get me started on those who think the national speed limit is 40. Which appears to be 75% of drivers. Or people who drive REALLLLLLY slowly when the traffic lights turn green and I then have to wait again as they've turned red.

This is my life on a daily basis, it's driving me insane. I am late for everything all of the time and I don't have the option to leave earlier with the school run/work. Angry

OP posts:
Sparklingbrook · 24/03/2017 19:00

Oh dear. It sounds as if your journey is very much more important than anyone else's. Sad

PhoenixJasmine · 24/03/2017 19:03

YABmassivelyU

Hopefully you're just frustrated this evening rather than honestly hold this opinion.

Organise your life better - slower and more careful driving is generally a good thing. It's not the person in front's fault that you don't have enough time to get places. Plenty of people aren't late all the time.

Original poster
DiamondIntRuff · 24/03/2017 19:04

IABU then Grin it's just driving me nuts being late for everything all of the time...

OP posts:
missymayhemsmum · 24/03/2017 19:05

I agree. There should be a priority lane for mothers on all roads. Or teleportation between offices and the school playground.

Failing that, schools that open in time to receive kids in pjs. Smug teachers who tap their watches and say 'school isn't childcare, you know' should be dragged behind a speeding mother.

Sparklingbrook · 24/03/2017 19:06

I think it's important for learner drivers to go out in the rush hour. If they didn't they would be out on the road after they passed with no experience of busy traffic.

Moanyoldcow · 24/03/2017 19:06

YADBU but I agree with you!

LindyHemming · 24/03/2017 19:07

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

PhoenixJasmine · 24/03/2017 19:09

I have very happy daydreams about the invention of teleportation. It's an interesting thought experiment to consider how it would change the world Smile

Sparklingbrook · 24/03/2017 19:10

I used to drive rurally for 12 miles on the school run. Tractors would notice the tailback and pull in. Very courteous, but not the norm.

RebootYourEngine · 24/03/2017 19:10

I thought that you could get into trouble for driving too slow.

5moreminutes · 24/03/2017 19:12

Slower is not always safe though - driving too slowly is generally not as dangerous as driving too fast, but drivers driving too slowly will also sometimes be pulled over and can be given points. It's not a case of the slower the better, there is generally an optimal speed for specific conditions and it isn't necessarily 30 mph.

Sometimes tractors and cyclists are being arses not pulling over where there is a safe opportunity or not using the cycle paths, not always, but sometimes...

Bluntness100 · 24/03/2017 19:12

Well you know the issue is you are unable to leave a reasonable amount of time to complete the journey, not the other road users, so of course you're being unreasonable.

However I'm with you on the cyclists. They drive me potty. Particularly when they ride two abreast snd totally block anyone over taking, or groups of them, in such a long row its nigh on impossible to over take them. Weaving all over the road.

And they dress in appalling Lycra and look ridiculous. They really are my pet peeve.😡

harderandharder2breathe · 24/03/2017 19:13

YABU

if you're always late then you need to adjust your behaviour, not expect everyone else to part like the Red Sea when they see you coming

engineersthumb · 24/03/2017 19:17

Yep
They world of people inconveniencing others because "they have just as much right" really annoys the hell out of me! Why is slow driving always seen as careful driving and not as an incompetent behind the wheel!
Vent over and back to reality!

user1489226029 · 24/03/2017 19:19

I get where you are coming from with the people who drive 40mph in a 60 then continue to drive 40mph in a 30Hmm. The slower traffic like tractors should pull over. As for the cyclists I can't really get annoyed at them because they are exercising and I'm a lazy lump at the minute!!!!

GiveMyHeadPeaceffs · 24/03/2017 19:23

Well YABU but I agree with you a bit...I originally come from a rural area and lived on a quiet road but trust me, when the contractors are bringing the silage in those tractors can shift! Shock

kali110 · 24/03/2017 19:32

Yes, you are more important than the learners, tractors...Hmm
You can't leave any earlier, tough for you, but your problem, not other people on the road.

Magicpaintbrush · 24/03/2017 19:35

Hang on a minute - there is no need for a car to be doing 30mph on a dual carriageway. That is both inconsiderate and dangerous and I don't blame the OP for being annoyed about that.

As for the tractor, obviously they can't go any faster which is fair enough, but it would be considerate to briefly pull in to let other vehicles pass if a big tail-back is building. It would take a minute of the tractor driver's time - to not do this for 20 miles (that's a bloody long way) is inconsiderate to other road users.

I can't get cross with learners however - we were all learners once and know it can be nerve wracking learning to drive. So in this instance I think some patience is needed.

It's not about anyone thinking their journey is more important than everyone else's - it's about some drivers causing unesscessary delay to others when actually there is no reason to do so (learners excepted).

Hogs · 24/03/2017 19:35

I'm pretty sure that tractors are required by law to pull over (when safe) if they have more than x amount of vehicles behind them. As for learners and cyclists, well, that's just one of them there things :)

Craigie · 24/03/2017 19:38

Hahaha. You're not only TOTALLY UNREASONABLE, you sound like an entitled knob.

ForalltheSaints · 24/03/2017 19:38

I disagree with the OP about tractors and trailers, as they are part of a farm usually and we need more home grown food. Learner drivers may be a point.

The main group of people who should not be on the road in rush hour are those who travel under a mile and are able bodied. They should walk.

Original poster
DiamondIntRuff · 24/03/2017 19:39

I recently had a tractor drive into me on a quiet country lane. He was easily doing 60. Which only proves they CAN go faster of they want to. Saying that, I do get annoyed by motorbikes too - the noise goes right through me, and they act so nonchalant just cutting me up to overtake me even when I'm doing the speed limit. I might just buy a helicopter for transport.

OP posts:
lavenderandrose · 24/03/2017 19:39

I think we are just overcrowded generally, assuming you don't live in the highlands of Scotland.

JennyOnAPlate · 24/03/2017 19:40

You are being completely unreasonable op and I absolutely agree with you Grin

Hogs · 24/03/2017 19:40

Actually yes, Forallthesaints, I live in a rural area and almost never see a tractor during rush hour. I do, though, see plenty of Chelsea tractors doing the school run.