Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Motorists shouldn't be in such a hurry!!

142 replies

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.

OP posts:
Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 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

Show quote history

So I have to wait for the next green man because a driver can't wait a couple of seconds extra?

OP posts:
BlossomCloud · 03/08/2023 14:01

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.

Show quote history

Agreed.

I have an invisible disability and earlier this year it was so bad I could only move very slowly.

Leave earlier and chill out a bit. It's dangerous to drive when rushed /stressed

SummerHouse · 03/08/2023 14:01

"I was crossing the road on a green man today".... Visions of you going piggyback on a green man...

You are totally right op. People need to change. For themselves as much as others. Blood pressure must be trough the roof and for what? A few lost seconds!

saltinesandcoffeecups · 03/08/2023 14:01

UndertheCedartree · 03/08/2023 14:00

So I have to wait for the next green man because a driver can't wait a couple of seconds extra?

Show quote history

Maybe you you shouldn’t be so impatient 😉

Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 03/08/2023 14:03

saltinesandcoffeecups · 03/08/2023 13:56

So clearly the answer is to blame impatient drivers 🙄

Show quote history

Yes. If a pedestrian is crossing the road the highway code says they must wait. If they get road rage, beeping their horn etc. when a pedestrian hold them up for a couple of seconds then not only do they have a problem they aren't following the highway code.

OP posts:
elderflowerandpomelo · 03/08/2023 14:04

what shocks me is how being in a car seems to make some people horrible! Almost no men would threaten me (older middle aged woman) if we were all on foot, and I was walking slower than them - but put them in a car and they forgot that we are all just people!

i had an altercation w a horribly bad driver in a similar situation and his response was ‘but I’m a car!’ No intentional humour…

MintJulia · 03/08/2023 14:04

In that scenario, there was no need for yelling or hooting. But how did you take an extra 10 seconds? Where you crossing a 3 lane motorway? Most snails move faster than that.

This morning I needed to get DS to a dental appt along an empty rural road (national speed limit). There was a Nissan Leaf in front of us doing 23mph. No other traffic. Then a post van came the other direction (with plenty of room to pass) the Leaf driver stood on her brakes and then hooted at the Postie.

Then carried on at 23mph while I watched the clock tick by. DS is an NHS patient, late twice in a year and they convert him to a private patient which could cost £££.

I followed the Leaf all the way to the surgery. Obviously she was a bad driver so I hadn't tried to overtake. I parked alongside them, and we were out of the car and running to make the appointment when she hooted at me. No idea why. We made it with 30 seconds to spare.

So not only was she a hopeless driver, she doesn't know her highway code. The horn is to be used only to inform another driver of one's presence. Both I and the Postie could see her perfectly.

Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 03/08/2023 14:05

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.

I completely agree with this. We have Shared Space in my city and most drivers couldn't care less. It's quite simple - pedestrians have priority.

OP posts:
Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 03/08/2023 14:07

SummerHouse · 03/08/2023 14:01

"I was crossing the road on a green man today".... Visions of you going piggyback on a green man...

You are totally right op. People need to change. For themselves as much as others. Blood pressure must be trough the roof and for what? A few lost seconds!

😂

I know it's crazy!

OP posts:
Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 03/08/2023 14:09

saltinesandcoffeecups · 03/08/2023 14:01

Maybe you you shouldn’t be so impatient 😉

Show quote history

It's not impatient to cross completely legitimately on a green man. What if I suggested a driver should wait for the next green light to let more people across? All hell would break loose!!

OP posts:
OneTC · 03/08/2023 14:10

saltinesandcoffeecups · 03/08/2023 13:56

So clearly the answer is to blame impatient drivers 🙄

Show quote history

Yes

Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 03/08/2023 14:10

elderflowerandpomelo · 03/08/2023 14:04

what shocks me is how being in a car seems to make some people horrible! Almost no men would threaten me (older middle aged woman) if we were all on foot, and I was walking slower than them - but put them in a car and they forgot that we are all just people!

i had an altercation w a horribly bad driver in a similar situation and his response was ‘but I’m a car!’ No intentional humour…

So many people just think car is king and should have priority on roads at all times!

OP posts:
onefinemess · 03/08/2023 14:11

If you took ten seconds to cross the road, then you were either being deliberately obstructive or you can't move fast enough to use the crossing points safely.

Roads are for vehicles. Footpaths are for pedestrians. If you must cross the road, then you should be mindful of traffic. It doesn't matter what the highway code says. Common sense should tell you that you don't walk in front of vehicles.

Who are you to say how much of a hurry people should be in?

I would say that cyclists shouldn't be in such a hurry, always breaking red lights and on pavements at high speed.

Or that pedestrians shouldn't be so slow.

Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 03/08/2023 14:12

MintJulia · 03/08/2023 14:04

In that scenario, there was no need for yelling or hooting. But how did you take an extra 10 seconds? Where you crossing a 3 lane motorway? Most snails move faster than that.

This morning I needed to get DS to a dental appt along an empty rural road (national speed limit). There was a Nissan Leaf in front of us doing 23mph. No other traffic. Then a post van came the other direction (with plenty of room to pass) the Leaf driver stood on her brakes and then hooted at the Postie.

Then carried on at 23mph while I watched the clock tick by. DS is an NHS patient, late twice in a year and they convert him to a private patient which could cost £££.

I followed the Leaf all the way to the surgery. Obviously she was a bad driver so I hadn't tried to overtake. I parked alongside them, and we were out of the car and running to make the appointment when she hooted at me. No idea why. We made it with 30 seconds to spare.

So not only was she a hopeless driver, she doesn't know her highway code. The horn is to be used only to inform another driver of one's presence. Both I and the Postie could see her perfectly.

Ha! I can be a bit of a snail!

And exactly, drivers shouldn't be hooting in your situation or when a pedestrian is crossing the road slower than they would like!

OP posts:
Sigmama · 03/08/2023 14:14

Dotjones - with that mentality, I really hope you don't drive much

onefinemess · 03/08/2023 14:14

UndertheCedartree · 03/08/2023 14:12

Ha! I can be a bit of a snail!

And exactly, drivers shouldn't be hooting in your situation or when a pedestrian is crossing the road slower than they would like!

Show quote history

Drivers SHOULD be "hooting" pedestrians if the pedestrians are being deliberately obstructive.

Twyford · 03/08/2023 14:15

saltinesandcoffeecups · 03/08/2023 13:52

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

Show quote history

What a mad idea. Why should pedestrians have to wait an extra three minutes just to save the occasional driver three seconds?

Frabbits · 03/08/2023 14:15

onefinemess · 03/08/2023 14:11

If you took ten seconds to cross the road, then you were either being deliberately obstructive or you can't move fast enough to use the crossing points safely.

Roads are for vehicles. Footpaths are for pedestrians. If you must cross the road, then you should be mindful of traffic. It doesn't matter what the highway code says. Common sense should tell you that you don't walk in front of vehicles.

Who are you to say how much of a hurry people should be in?

I would say that cyclists shouldn't be in such a hurry, always breaking red lights and on pavements at high speed.

Or that pedestrians shouldn't be so slow.

Some people, shockingly, can't run across roads and need a few extra seconds to cross.

Cars give way to pedestrians on the road because, you know, people are squashy and cars are not. If you don't understand that then you have no business holding a licence.

DdraigGoch · 03/08/2023 14:17

Roads are for vehicles

@onefinemess no they aren't (unless they are actually restricted as per motorways and some A roads) roads are for all users, fast and slow.

Twyford · 03/08/2023 14:17

MintJulia · 03/08/2023 14:04

In that scenario, there was no need for yelling or hooting. But how did you take an extra 10 seconds? Where you crossing a 3 lane motorway? Most snails move faster than that.

This morning I needed to get DS to a dental appt along an empty rural road (national speed limit). There was a Nissan Leaf in front of us doing 23mph. No other traffic. Then a post van came the other direction (with plenty of room to pass) the Leaf driver stood on her brakes and then hooted at the Postie.

Then carried on at 23mph while I watched the clock tick by. DS is an NHS patient, late twice in a year and they convert him to a private patient which could cost £££.

I followed the Leaf all the way to the surgery. Obviously she was a bad driver so I hadn't tried to overtake. I parked alongside them, and we were out of the car and running to make the appointment when she hooted at me. No idea why. We made it with 30 seconds to spare.

So not only was she a hopeless driver, she doesn't know her highway code. The horn is to be used only to inform another driver of one's presence. Both I and the Postie could see her perfectly.

What was the speed limit? More and more roads are becoming 20 mph limits currently.

Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 03/08/2023 14:17

onefinemess · 03/08/2023 14:11

If you took ten seconds to cross the road, then you were either being deliberately obstructive or you can't move fast enough to use the crossing points safely.

Roads are for vehicles. Footpaths are for pedestrians. If you must cross the road, then you should be mindful of traffic. It doesn't matter what the highway code says. Common sense should tell you that you don't walk in front of vehicles.

Who are you to say how much of a hurry people should be in?

I would say that cyclists shouldn't be in such a hurry, always breaking red lights and on pavements at high speed.

Or that pedestrians shouldn't be so slow.

So what should I do just never go out??

It is your attitude that is the problem. Roads aren't just for vehicles because they block footpaths.

You don't walk in front of vehicles. So what exactly do you do at a crossing if you can't cross in front of the cars?? The pedestrian has priority and car users are required to follow the highway code. Pedestrians shouldn't have to put up with idiots who don't follow it.

I am entitled to my opinion to think drivers shouldn't be in such a hurry as to be dangerous and unable to follow the highway code.

OP posts:
enchantedsquirrelwood · 03/08/2023 14:19

Yes drivers are too impatient.

There was a hilarious video on Twitter yesterday where a driver in a Range Rover wouldn't wait behind a rubbish lorry in Cranleigh in Surrey and tried to undertake it on a grass verge. It very gently tipped over. The dustman's disinterested reaction was priceless :) I bet they get loads of abuse.

OneTC · 03/08/2023 14:19

onefinemess · 03/08/2023 14:11

If you took ten seconds to cross the road, then you were either being deliberately obstructive or you can't move fast enough to use the crossing points safely.

Roads are for vehicles. Footpaths are for pedestrians. If you must cross the road, then you should be mindful of traffic. It doesn't matter what the highway code says. Common sense should tell you that you don't walk in front of vehicles.

Who are you to say how much of a hurry people should be in?

I would say that cyclists shouldn't be in such a hurry, always breaking red lights and on pavements at high speed.

Or that pedestrians shouldn't be so slow.

There's an impressive amount wrong with pretty much everything you've written there, well done

DdraigGoch · 03/08/2023 14:19

onefinemess · 03/08/2023 14:14

Drivers SHOULD be "hooting" pedestrians if the pedestrians are being deliberately obstructive.

Show quote history

If you start hooting impatiently at me, I'll stop right in your way and stay there until you apologise (and mean it).

Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 03/08/2023 14:20

onefinemess · 03/08/2023 14:14

Drivers SHOULD be "hooting" pedestrians if the pedestrians are being deliberately obstructive.

Show quote history

No, they shouldn't. They should be following the highway code. However, I've not said anything about being deliberately obstructive.

OP posts: