Why are there so many ..... on the roads?!

[TimeForMittensAndHats]

I've been driving for 10 years now and I admit, I have made mistakes without meaning to. I've pulled out on a car that stupidly I didn't see coming, I've had to cut someone in a lane (safely) because I've travelled somewhere I've never been before, but I am always very careful regardless I always make use of my mirrors, stick to the speed limit, check my blind spots and thank people for letting me out and just thank them for forgiving me cos I made an error of judgement.

Earlier I was driving home after I went shopping, this woman peeped out very slowly at a junction, as she went to go, a car just came flying up the road and narrowly missed her (he swerved). He got out and hurled so much abuse and said she's a thick c**t, but she kept apologising and saying sorry. I shouldn't have got involved but I got out and told him that he shouldn't have been going too fast up the road in a residential street! The poor lady was in tears.

What I am saying is: accidents happen! There are people who are idiots and speed and break the rules but there are also people who try their best to be safe drivers but sometimes these things just happen! If cars speed up when they see you pulling out, surely you would just slow down? Not go faster and honk your horn at them. Same goes for learners! Startling them because you think you're big and clever is not helpful either!

Sorry this is a major rant. I'm just so fed up that when we make an error or judgement without meaning to, we get punished! It's always our fault if pedestrians just cross or run into the road without looking where their going and we're expected to take the blame for it if anything happens

Both drivers and pedestrians should take responsibility for being as safe as possible, for themselves, and everyone around.
But it's the driver that is in charge of several tonnes of metal, going at high speed, that can kill.
Just saying.

Yes I think this too. Why are people, usually men, so bloody aggressive when they are driving? Why do they think it's down to them to give out bollockings to women on ghe roses? Why do they think it's ever appropriate for them, with all their greater size and strength, to shout and swear at a woman? Even if she has made a slight error of judgment on the road- in fact what ever the reason.

Makes me really angry OP.

I think how dare these men shout and scream at me - usually they are in the wrong in the first place.

I have been driving since 1998 and have never had any kind if collision (drive alot) and only even three points for going 35 mph in a 30 that was a dual carriageway in 2008. I'm sure these men can't say the same.

Three comments in and it's already degenerated in a 'battle of the sexes'.

Bad drivers come in all sexes, ages etc.

As the OP said, we have all made mistakes when driving (I commute a lot so consider myself a fairly competent driver but definitely acknowledge my errors).

Sometimes angry reactions to people's mistakes are born out of adrenaline and immediate fear for our own safety (I've been known to shout, use the horn when I've be subjected to a near miss). However, abuse, intimidation and excessive, dangerous reactions are never excusable.

I can think of at least 3 separate occasions where male drivers have been abusive towards me. On each occasion, they were in the wrong. That’s not to say I’ve never made a mistake while driving, of course I have, but I put my hand up and acknowledge that I was in the wrong. I can’t understand the mentality of reacting with vitriol and abuse.