Am I invisible or what?

[Tablegs]

AIBU to wonder whether a magic spell has somehow wrapped itself round me and my car, rendering me totally invisible to other traffic?

Just this week, I've had at least half a dozen people pull out of side roads causing me to jam the brakes on, pedestrians have stepped out into the road, cyclists have jumped red lights and cut me up, umpteen cars have gone round mini roundabouts oblivious to my presence and right of way, and some riders were trotting along on their horses two-abreast along a country lane and I had to follow them for nearly a mile before there was anywhere wide enough to get past.

It's not like I'm a new driver or unfamiliar with anticipating what other road users might get up to, and I drive a perfectly normal (and I thought visible) car.

Is it just me, or has this been happening to anyone else too?

Nope - People who haven't driven for nearly 12 months are returning to the road & it's a bloody nightmare.

They've forgotten what their indicators are for, certainly.

Are you a woman driving a car that’s not brand new and cool ?

@IM0GEN I'm driving the same car I usually drive. None of my cars have ever been either brand new or cool, and I've never come across this lack of visibility to other road users before.

And why would it matter whether I'm a woman or not?

Ah bless ! Don’t you know that women become invisible at some point in their lives ?

What an extremely unpleasant thing to say on what was supposed to be a relatively light-hearted thread.

@Tablegs

What an extremely unpleasant thing to say on what was supposed to be a relatively light-hearted thread.

She was being sarcastic

I have this problem too, but it's worse with other cards.

I have a small car (Mazda 2) but everyone, including other smallish cars like VW Golfs) expect me to give way in every situation.

Does anyone else find it?

The other day I waited for an oncoming bus to pass and then pulled back out. An SUV tooted me, even though there was plenty of space on my side of the road for me.

@Tablegs

What an extremely unpleasant thing to say on what was supposed to be a relatively light-hearted thread.

@IM0GEN is on your side, OP.

Sarcasm aimed at women drivers is uncalled for and unnecessary.

We get for less of this in our new nice car than we did with our little Hyundi. However, I definitely get more of this than my husband.

😁😁😁

I won't tell you the joke about women astronauts then OP

Oh Jesus [facepalm]

@Tablegs

Sarcasm aimed at women drivers is uncalled for and unnecessary.

I think the poster was being sarcastic about the people who see women over a certain age as invisible. Not being rude themselves about women who drive.

I don’t think it’s the old adage about women becoming invisible in this case.

I’ve noticed more selfish and risk taking driving - frustration from lockdown maybe? Or people driving less than usual and getting in to bad habits?

@CausingChaos2 but they don't do it as much when I'm with my husband or in his bigger car

They don't normally do it to me. I don't exactly drive a small car. So what is it about this last week in particular?

It's not just you. I noticed this earlier when I drove to the supermarket at lunchtime (about 3 miles urban streets) and the number of people who seemed to look but then just strolled across/pulled out anyway was ridiculous.

I think people have lost the ability to judge the speed of traffic. I don't mind if they pull out and get a move on but one of the cars that pulled out in front of me did it sooooooo slowly I had to brake even though I was only going 20, they slowed down to less than 5 mph for every corner as well.

I know what you mean - they edge out a foot or so, have a good look, see that the road isn't clear because there are cars coming, and then pull out at a dawdle anyway.

Oh gosh this is going well!

I mostly drive in sunglasses (prescription) because my eyes are pathetically upset by any kind of light. Rarely does anyone do anything mad, or take any risks when they can't see my eyes.
Wearing my normal glasses- wacky races!

I have been commuting throughout. Those few on the roads and the pedestrians/cyclists got used to it being really quiet and being able to wander about at will. The kids have gone back to school along with plenty of their parents back to work in the last 10 days, but I don't think everyone has adjusted yet!

Invisible has come up a couple of times recently on MN.
I don't really understand the use of the word. Doesn't sit well with all the attention on harrassment.

I think it means you dont get sexual attention on the street / shops anymore, but surely that's banned now ☺

I don't really understand the use of the word. Then I suggest you buy a dictionary.

The word 'invisible' in the context of this thread (and I should know, since I started it) is as it says on the tin.

Invisible. As in not visible. As in unseen to the viewer. As in other drivers not noticing the presence of my vehicle on the carriageway.