Motorists shouldn't be in such a hurry!!

ditalini · 03/08/2023 13:38

YANBU. I did a speed awareness course a few years ago (mea culpa) and it was actually really good & has had a long term impact on my driving.

Being in a hurry/impatient/speeding in a car generally has fuck all impact on the actual time you arrive somewhere (unless it's a few seconds earlier at the next red light), but potentially a large impact on your own and others well being.

Get me zen driver, but honestly just being more mindful and less impatient in the car has been only a positive thing.

PrayForMyBum · 03/08/2023 13:40

I was just talking about this earlier this week with my husband. I drive all the time, often on dual carriageways/motorways, and I've really noticed recently that the amount of tailgating from bullying drivers when you're overtaking has got much worse.
Example: I'm overtaking a lorry or slower car, perhaps doing 75mph in the outside lane (which I know is already speeding). Another car will be rammed up my behind, driver getting visibly frustrated until I pull in after the manoeuvre, all because they can't just steam along at 80/90mph.
God forbid you need to overtake several lorries or cars at once.
And no, I'm not a middle lane hogger - I know you have to pull back in after overtaking, and I do. But to some people, the rest of the world is just in their way.
It's really quite sad.

StaySpicy · 03/08/2023 13:43

YANBU about drivers needing to slow down, but unless you have a physical impediment it shouldn't take longer to cross the road than 10 seconds. So I'm not sure why the car had to wait an additional ten seconds after their light had gone green. Unless I've misunderstood your OP?

Original poster

UndertheCedartree · 03/08/2023 13:47

ditalini · 03/08/2023 13:38

YANBU. I did a speed awareness course a few years ago (mea culpa) and it was actually really good & has had a long term impact on my driving.

Being in a hurry/impatient/speeding in a car generally has fuck all impact on the actual time you arrive somewhere (unless it's a few seconds earlier at the next red light), but potentially a large impact on your own and others well being.

Get me zen driver, but honestly just being more mindful and less impatient in the car has been only a positive thing.

That's great. Well done.

My cousin was killed by a speeding driver so I am so anti speeding but I know so many people who have no problem with 'a bit' of speeding.

OP posts:

Original poster

UndertheCedartree · 03/08/2023 13:47

PrayForMyBum · 03/08/2023 13:40

I was just talking about this earlier this week with my husband. I drive all the time, often on dual carriageways/motorways, and I've really noticed recently that the amount of tailgating from bullying drivers when you're overtaking has got much worse.
Example: I'm overtaking a lorry or slower car, perhaps doing 75mph in the outside lane (which I know is already speeding). Another car will be rammed up my behind, driver getting visibly frustrated until I pull in after the manoeuvre, all because they can't just steam along at 80/90mph.
God forbid you need to overtake several lorries or cars at once.
And no, I'm not a middle lane hogger - I know you have to pull back in after overtaking, and I do. But to some people, the rest of the world is just in their way.
It's really quite sad.

Yes, I agree.

OP posts:

Dotjones · 03/08/2023 13:48

Ten seconds is a long time when you need to be somewhere. Maybe you have a disability but if you start to cross on a green man, it then presumably goes red for five or ten seconds before the driver gets a green. So even if you started to cross at the moment the green man turned to red, you're still talking about fifteen seconds to cross? Seems a long time in this country. Maybe in an American city (although I've never seen a green man there).

I mean them beeping and abusing you isn't ideal, but if it's not obvious why it took you so long I can see why they were frustrated.

Original poster

UndertheCedartree · 03/08/2023 13:49

StaySpicy · 03/08/2023 13:43

YANBU about drivers needing to slow down, but unless you have a physical impediment it shouldn't take longer to cross the road than 10 seconds. So I'm not sure why the car had to wait an additional ten seconds after their light had gone green. Unless I've misunderstood your OP?

I just meant they had to wait a really short time. I guess only a couple of seconds. I do have some mild mobility issues so I do walk a bit slower than the average person, I think.

OP posts:

EhrlicheFrau · 03/08/2023 13:51

StaySpicy · 03/08/2023 13:43

YANBU about drivers needing to slow down, but unless you have a physical impediment it shouldn't take longer to cross the road than 10 seconds. So I'm not sure why the car had to wait an additional ten seconds after their light had gone green. Unless I've misunderstood your OP?

I live rurally now and we pretty much only have zebra crossings, however I was in a bigger city last week and was actually shocked how little time is given at 'green man' type crossings, especially when it's across wide roads with at least two lanes of traffic in either direction - I definitely recall getting longer to cross when I lived in a more urban/city location (where I grew up and lived for nearly 30 years).

saltinesandcoffeecups · 03/08/2023 13:51

UndertheCedartree · 03/08/2023 13:35

Why are many car users always in such a hurry?

I was crossing a road on a green man today and wasn't quite across when the lights turned to green. The car had to wait an extra 10 seconds! She started beeping me and then shouting and swearing at me.

And this isn't the first time I've had similar experiences.

It took you an extra 10 seconds to clear the road?

Then you answered your own question, people are fed up with others that can’t seem to cross a street in a reasonable amount of time, are playing on their phones and don’t start driving when a light turns green, chatting with their mate in the car while driving slow, etc.

TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 03/08/2023 13:51

Dotjones · 03/08/2023 13:48

Ten seconds is a long time when you need to be somewhere. Maybe you have a disability but if you start to cross on a green man, it then presumably goes red for five or ten seconds before the driver gets a green. So even if you started to cross at the moment the green man turned to red, you're still talking about fifteen seconds to cross? Seems a long time in this country. Maybe in an American city (although I've never seen a green man there).

I mean them beeping and abusing you isn't ideal, but if it's not obvious why it took you so long I can see why they were frustrated.

If you can’t wait 10 seconds without getting wound up when you’re driving you need to work on that.

KimberleyClark · 03/08/2023 13:51

Ten seconds is a long time when you need to be somewhere..

Rubbish. Being 10 seconds late or early is neither here nor there.

Original poster

UndertheCedartree · 03/08/2023 13:52

Dotjones · 03/08/2023 13:48

Ten seconds is a long time when you need to be somewhere. Maybe you have a disability but if you start to cross on a green man, it then presumably goes red for five or ten seconds before the driver gets a green. So even if you started to cross at the moment the green man turned to red, you're still talking about fifteen seconds to cross? Seems a long time in this country. Maybe in an American city (although I've never seen a green man there).

I mean them beeping and abusing you isn't ideal, but if it's not obvious why it took you so long I can see why they were frustrated.

Yeah, probably only a couple of seconds extra. I do have mobility issues but not obvious. At the end of the day if I'm still on the crossing they have to wait. And I really don't think 10 seconds is critical but if it is maybe they should leave earlier!

OP posts:

elderflowerandpomelo · 03/08/2023 13:52

It won’t have been ten seconds, but even if it was that’s NOTHING in a car journey!

OP they are going to retime pelicans to give pedestrians more time as they simply don’t allow long enough at the moment. It makes walking so threatening for the old the young and the less mobile.

saltinesandcoffeecups · 03/08/2023 13:52

UndertheCedartree · 03/08/2023 13:52

Yeah, probably only a couple of seconds extra. I do have mobility issues but not obvious. At the end of the day if I'm still on the crossing they have to wait. And I really don't think 10 seconds is critical but if it is maybe they should leave earlier!

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Or you could wait for the next green man so you have the full time to cross

CarnelianArtist · 03/08/2023 13:54

Totally agree. But then I'm the other way. I'm learning to drive and I'm always letting people out etc.. if I see a pedestrian crossing I'm not going anywhere near them. I'll do 50mph on a 60mph road. My driving instructor would like me to have more of a sense of urgency I think!

EhrlicheFrau · 03/08/2023 13:55

saltinesandcoffeecups · 03/08/2023 13:52

Or you could wait for the next green man so you have the full time to cross

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That doesn't work if the time given is too short to start with though.

Original poster

UndertheCedartree · 03/08/2023 13:55

EhrlicheFrau · 03/08/2023 13:51

I live rurally now and we pretty much only have zebra crossings, however I was in a bigger city last week and was actually shocked how little time is given at 'green man' type crossings, especially when it's across wide roads with at least two lanes of traffic in either direction - I definitely recall getting longer to cross when I lived in a more urban/city location (where I grew up and lived for nearly 30 years).

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Yes, you're right they are often a very short time to cross even if you cross the minute it goes green and can walk briskly.

OP posts:

saltinesandcoffeecups · 03/08/2023 13:56

EhrlicheFrau · 03/08/2023 13:55

That doesn't work if the time given is too short to start with though.

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So clearly the answer is to blame impatient drivers 🙄

Original poster

UndertheCedartree · 03/08/2023 13:57

saltinesandcoffeecups · 03/08/2023 13:51

It took you an extra 10 seconds to clear the road?

Then you answered your own question, people are fed up with others that can’t seem to cross a street in a reasonable amount of time, are playing on their phones and don’t start driving when a light turns green, chatting with their mate in the car while driving slow, etc.

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Unfortunately some people have mobility issues etc and can't necessarily cross in 'a reasonable amount of time'

OP posts:

Original poster

UndertheCedartree · 03/08/2023 13:57

TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 03/08/2023 13:51

If you can’t wait 10 seconds without getting wound up when you’re driving you need to work on that.

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Absolutely!

OP posts:

Original poster

UndertheCedartree · 03/08/2023 13:58

elderflowerandpomelo · 03/08/2023 13:52

It won’t have been ten seconds, but even if it was that’s NOTHING in a car journey!

OP they are going to retime pelicans to give pedestrians more time as they simply don’t allow long enough at the moment. It makes walking so threatening for the old the young and the less mobile.

Yes, I did over estimate the time!

And that's good to hear.

OP posts:

Catusrusty · 03/08/2023 13:59

Unfortunately we have really embraced the culture of individualism in the UK. People on the roads think they are the most important person in the world and behave accordingly.

It's sad really how far society has degraded. Everything is me, me, me. We have moved so far away from the idea of a village and understanding how we all have an impact on each other.

AgnesX · 03/08/2023 13:59

saltinesandcoffeecups · 03/08/2023 13:52

Or you could wait for the next green man so you have the full time to cross

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Get a grip and cut out the entitlement. If someone has the green man they have it. People shouldn't be expected to rush because your time management is so piss poor that 10 seconds is a big deal.

ClaudiaWankleman · 03/08/2023 14:00

saltinesandcoffeecups · 03/08/2023 13:52

Or you could wait for the next green man so you have the full time to cross

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It is the OP's right to cross the road on the green man, regardless of when she starts. It is the motorist's duty (and requirement of the licence they are allowed to drive on) to wait for her to be out of the road. Clearly one person is in the right, and the other in the wrong.

EhrlicheFrau · 03/08/2023 14:00

saltinesandcoffeecups · 03/08/2023 13:56

So clearly the answer is to blame impatient drivers 🙄

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I am not sure how you conclude that I am blaming drivers simply by pointing out that the crossing time is possibly too short to start with? Making the crossing time slightly longer would probably be better all round, pedestrians would get slightly longer to cross and car drivers wouldn't be expecting to move yet because their light would still be at red (as opposed to frustration at it being green yet still not being able to move).