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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that if you have 4x4...

153 replies

SoupDragon · 06/02/2009 08:22

... you should move across to drive in the snowy bit of road and leave the clear part to the ordinary car coming towards you?

It is, after all, the one time per year that your 4x4 is actually necessary in town.

OP posts:
happywomble · 06/02/2009 11:53

Mssparkle..surely your grand jeep must be very expensive to run, uses more of a scarce resource (diesel/petrol) than a normal car and gives out more pollution than the average car. I think people object to these huge 4 x 4 s on environmental grounds as much as the way some people drive them. I really think their use should be restricted to people who live in very rural areas and have to drive off road..maybe you fall into that category.

4 x 4s are also a menace on narrow country roads as people tend to drive faster thinking they are safer and if you are driving a normal car you end up being forced off the road by the width of the 4 x 4 in the other direction. 4 x 4s also tend to drive faster on country lanes as they don't have to slow down for pot holes so I'm always having to drive with impatient 4 x 4 drivers on my tail.

Have just read that you drive slowly ms sparkle so you sound a bit more considerate than the average 4 x 4 driver.

bigeyes · 06/02/2009 11:55

4 X 4 are I would imagine essential in country/rural areas and are fit for purpose but its these urban things.... yes horse boxes would require a 4 x 4.

Now they have said that large flat screens are the 4 x 4 of the lounge, if anyone wants to shoot me down we have one of those!

And DS has been playing in front of Thomas DVD for over two hours with his toys

MsSparkle · 06/02/2009 11:57

I think i get tailgated because people assume that being in a 4x4 i should be driving faster especially over speed bumps. Just because my car is designed for a bumpy ride, doesn't mean i am gonna drive over them fast, breaking the speed limit as a go!

Hathor · 06/02/2009 12:01

Two 4 x 4's spotted upside-down in the ditch here today. I think the drivers assume they are invulnerable and drive accordingly.
Bit embarrassing as the little cars drive past.

bigeyes · 06/02/2009 12:24

OOOOP's them 4 X 4 drives might have thought just that Hathor

neverknowinglyunderdressed · 06/02/2009 12:33

I have a 4x4 but live in the sticks in Scotland. The school run involves me driving 5 miles up a hillroad across the tops of the hills and then down again on a nasty b road, typically snowy. My car is mostly covered in mud. I sometimes also drive on fields and thru snow. Thing is i came down south recently to vist friends. When i was in Reigate, should i display a sticker saying 'sticks dweller just visiting'?

sandy4 · 06/02/2009 12:49

I did that today on the 8 mile school run, in my 4x4 - I drove in the half centimeter of snow ALL THE WAY - it was FANTASTIC

sandy4 · 06/02/2009 12:50

That is what we call a snow drift in dorset!

MaplePecanPlait · 06/02/2009 12:51

I so hate these threads (and know I shouldn't be posting here). This subject is always guaranteed to be popular and people like the OP are just rubbing their hands waiting for bad weather so they can have a pop at 4x4's and everyone can jump on the band wagon and appear so virtuous for driving a small car.

Yawn.....

laweaselmys · 06/02/2009 12:52

I was talking to my dad on monday he lives rurally and has a 4x4 for work reasons, but he took a snowday and worked from home 'cos he reckoned even though he could get around fine he'd just get stuck behind the millions of people that couldn't but tried anyway.

He has been on rescue duty before. Last time there was really bad snow in our area it took him two hours to reach me (20 mins away) because he had to stop, rescue and tow so many cars on the way!

violethill · 06/02/2009 12:53

So you're quite happy to ignore the entirely reasonable argument about environmental issues and safety of pedestrians and other road users maple?

Sound like a typical 4x4 driver...

violethill · 06/02/2009 12:53

So you're quite happy to ignore the entirely reasonable argument about environmental issues and safety of pedestrians and other road users maple?

Sound like a typical 4x4 driver...

Original poster
SoupDragon · 06/02/2009 12:56

"people like the OP are just rubbing their hands waiting for bad weather so they can have a pop at 4x4's"

Er... no, you're wrong there.

OP posts:
sandy4 · 06/02/2009 12:56

but arn't 4x4s safer than smaller cars???

PrimulaVeris · 06/02/2009 12:57

I don't need bad weather to have a pop at 4x4s (Mitchy and co excepted 'cos they drive proper tractor-wagons). I do that everytime I see the gas-guzzling Poncemobiles (brill term Riven)blocking the pavement outside the school - the owners having driven on average less than a mile to do so.

EldonAve · 06/02/2009 12:58

We are buying a poncemobile soon

sandy4 · 06/02/2009 13:00

right, I'm off - to rescue DH (small car driver) - in my 'chelsea tractor'.Snow is almost 1cm here now.

MaplePecanPlait · 06/02/2009 13:02

Here we go!

Yes, we have quite a few 4 wheel drive vehicles. Because we are farmers and need them!

We feel we contribute more than most townies to the environment by looking after miles and miles of hedgerow, not planting headlands so birds are undisturbed in the hedges and generally looking after the countryside so it looks 'nice' when you come out.

violethill · 06/02/2009 13:05

4x4s are not safer. They are hugely dangerous to other road users and pedestrians. And some of them have worrying safety ratings for the driver and passengers too! Add to that the usually dodgy driving ability of 4x4 owners and you have a lethal mix.

bruxeur · 06/02/2009 13:07

Sandy, why on earth would anyone need rescuing from "almost 1cm" of snow?

Is he driving a pedal car?

Original poster
SoupDragon · 06/02/2009 13:08

If you read the thread, Maple, my judgements are limited to the suburban 4x4s think they can hog the clear bit of road.

I don't sit rubbing my hands in glee during bad weather so I can take a pop at 4x4 drivers - I am ambivalent towards them. However, when driving my ordinary renault along a mush lined road, I do think "why am I having to move over and risk getting stuck when you've got a fecking 4x4!"

OP posts:
PrimulaVeris · 06/02/2009 13:09

Farmers, horse-box types are fine, Maple. No issues with that at all

It's the Poncemobile/chelsea tractor types who heave their gas guzzlers from their suburban drive the massive half mile along fully tarmacked roads to the school/railway station that provoke ire - environment, safety and prattish behaviour. Different breed.

Original poster
SoupDragon · 06/02/2009 13:09

Sandy is married to Noddy. She will have to listen out for the bell on his hat

OP posts:
PrimulaVeris · 06/02/2009 13:11

Oh god I missed the "rescue from almost 1 cm of snow" bit. pmsl!

I should think that's shrunk his manhood

MaplePecanPlait · 06/02/2009 13:15

maybe - but each time one of these threads appears we all have to justify our existence.

There are going to be lots of 4x4 owners who will have to drive into town at some point. They can't realistically have a town car and a country car (although we do!). It just gets my back up I'm afraid to judge everyone so harshly.

Yes, a white Range Rover with privacy glass probably aint seem much hard labour in Chelsea so I see your point.

Sometimes, MN is so judgemental though and I don't like it.....

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