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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

New driver "Green P" signs

42 replies

NowWeAreSuckingDiesel · 11/05/2019 16:37

I passed a few weeks ago and have had these on my car since. I was hoping that experienced drivers would have some additional patience with me when coming up to big roundabouts or driving in the dark, etc. It appears to make no difference at all.

I unfortunately stalled at some traffic lights earlier today and the car behind just got right up behind me, beeping his horn and being super aggressive. Clearly I wasn't doing it on purpose. He could see I was stalling, not sat on my phone or whatever.
Same thing happened when I was sticking the 50 speed limit and someone behind obviously wanted to go 80 and got so close up behind me and was flashing and gesturing out the window. It was a single lane, no one in front of me. I wouldn't have gone over the speed limit anyway but him being a prick about it meant I was even less likely to speed up. I was doing between 50 and 55, slowing down to about 40 - 45 for sharp bends.

I know road rage happens and remaining calm and ignoring pricks is part of driving but surely even those arseholes were new drivers at some point and should remember that if anything, getting me flustered is unlikely to help me drive faster or pull away quicker!

Aibu to expect people to take notice of the green p new driver signs?

For the record, I'm a pretty good driver usually and was ready to take them off yesterday. I drove on the motorway today so thought I'd keep them on! I'm a bit worried to take them off now I stalled.

OP posts:
Pipandmum · 11/05/2019 16:40

Well I would be more patient. But there are idiots all over. You have to learn to deal (ignore) them as well as driving the actual car!

CrazyCatNerd · 11/05/2019 16:41

Nah. People like that would be arseholes whether you have P plates on or not. Get a dash cam and a sticker that says you have one.

ItsalwaysLTB · 11/05/2019 16:43

Just take them off, courteous drivers will be courteous whatever and dickheads will be that whatever, maybe even worse if they see the P plate.

Like the advice above re dashcams and stickers.

Somethingoutedme · 11/05/2019 16:43

Found with my DC that p plates made them targets for this kind of behaviour. Had less problems from other drivers when they binned them

tautou · 11/05/2019 16:43

I found the P plates made me an absolute target when I put them on after I passed. I took them off and it was fine after that. Smile

Bunnybigears · 11/05/2019 16:45

Dickheads are dickheads regardless of P plates or even L plates, get rid.

jimmyhill · 11/05/2019 16:46

If you feel you need P plates you aren't ready to drive on the roads IMO

MaryBoBary · 11/05/2019 16:47

Agree that the green PS may make it worse. Some people get irritated because if you've passed your test you shouldn't need the excuse of a p plate to justify poor driving. Others instantly get irritated when driving behind as they assume you're going to be slow even if you're not. Just get rid. I stall sometimes and I've been driving for 11 years. It happens to us all on occasion.

SnowyAlpsandPeaks · 11/05/2019 16:48

P plates make you a target in my experience. If you stall without p plates people have more patience. Well done on passing your test though!

Passthecherrycoke · 11/05/2019 16:48

Don’t be daft jimmy, no new driver is ready to drive on the roads. How could they be with so little experience? Hmm

OP I agree that people will ignore them, I mean people get annoyed with learners so it’s not surprising really. FWIW I’ve been driving forever and stall sometimes, it happens!

QuestionableMouse · 11/05/2019 16:53

I'd take them off because they tend to bring out the bullies!

NowWeAreSuckingDiesel · 11/05/2019 16:58

Well, Jimmy, clearly I am ready to drive on the road as I passed the test to prove that I am. First time too.

Great, OK, I'll take them off in that case.

On a different but slightly related note... I have a ten month in the car with me. I take it a silly baby on board sticker is not going to help people stay the fuck back off my bumper? I really do hate aggressive driving but I don't let it rile me, I do just ignore it, but I want them to stay back so its safer. That's going to similar to the P signs, isn't it...

OP posts:
Nat6999 · 11/05/2019 16:58

I kept mine on a couple of months then my dad confiscated them as he said I was perfectly capable driving & didn't need them any more. I never had any hassle from other drivers.

Bunnybigears · 11/05/2019 17:02

Baby on board signs are pointless and can obscure your view. I treat baby on board cars no differently to any other car.

lyralalala · 11/05/2019 17:02

Agree with pp's re the targeting. DS's P plates were left on my car and I found that other drivers were far more rude and aggressive than usual.

MereDintofPandiculation · 11/05/2019 17:02

jimmyhill since P plates are precisely for people who have passed their test and deemed capable to drive on roads on their own, your opinion would seem to be out of step. Personally, I'd be far more worried about someone who emerged from their test with total confidence in their driving ability.

jimmyhill · 11/05/2019 17:03

The only thing sticker which prevents aggressive drivers is one which says POLICE.

Just drive in your own bit of road and let others drive as they will. Your own fear and inexperience will be contributing to the sense that confident drivers are "aggressive".

BadLad · 11/05/2019 17:05

P Plates would make me give you more space, assume that you were going to take a little longer pulling out, and generally be more cautious around you, which is their purpose, I suppose. But not everyone will.

jimmyhill · 11/05/2019 17:06

Personally, I'd be far more worried about someone who emerged from their test with total confidence in their driving ability.

I agree, but stickers which essentially signal to other drivers your lack of confidence are daft.

CrazyCatNerd · 11/05/2019 17:06

A baby on board sticker won't make the cunts drive any better, but it could help someone realise there's a baby in the car in case of emergency.

kidsmakesomuchwashing · 11/05/2019 17:06

Yeh I second just getting a sticker in your rear window that says you have a dash cam.

NowWeAreSuckingDiesel · 11/05/2019 17:08

Haha, Jimmy 😂 you are hilarious mate. So no drivers are ever aggressive and it's the relatively new drivers perception? Righto.

My husband is a police officer and I think he'd tell you the police signage on cars does not prevent aggression...

OP posts:
NowWeAreSuckingDiesel · 11/05/2019 17:09

You sound like a good lad, BadLad

OP posts:
jimmyhill · 11/05/2019 17:10

Yes people are always cutting up panda cars

NowWeAreSuckingDiesel · 11/05/2019 17:12

You're right, it's just their inexperience making them only 'perceive' that's the case...

OP posts:
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