to make a little sign for this woman?

[TandB]

I have ranted on a previous occasion about the morning rat-run through our village so very quick summary:

Single track roads - short-cut to city - I am apparently only person who needs to go opposite direction during rush-hour - majority of people coming the other way clearly think I am unreasonable for driving through my own village and glare and head-shake at me - I am cross.

Obviously it is the holidays now, so the school run traffic is missing which makes life much easier. However, there is one woman who I see every single time. She drives very fast on a narrow, twisty road with several blind bends so I finish up crawling around corners in case she comes hurtling the other way. She flatly refuses to back up even a couple of feet to the nearest passing space, and she makes no attempt to move over so that both cars can pass without scraping through the hedge. So I finish up reversing to the next passing space with her driving about 6 inches off my front bumper with a face like thunder, and then as soon as the road widens at all, she squeezes past, glaring at me all the time and shaking her head.

Bearing in mind the following:

1. I live here and have as much right to leave the village as she does to cut through it.
   
   
2. I drive a very small car which causes minimal obstruction.
   
   
3. I don't drive dangerously fast.
   
   
4. I am the one reversing and getting off the road.
   
   would I be unreasonable to make a little sign saying "The next time you shake your head at me will be the last time I reverse for you. I can sit here all day - how about you?"
   
   Would probably be unreasonable to add "cowbag" at the end, I suppose.

[Pesha]

'industrial shed full of cunts'

Sounds like my local Lidl!

[ExitPursuedByALamb]

DarkSkies Don't worry, no one would get between and my my mare

[moomaa]

Now I realise why so many horse riders and people coming the other way look so grateful when I get out the way, mostly I am not in a hurry so am happy to pull over or go very slowly.

I would wait mean woman out OP. I bet she is actually a crap driver and scared of reversing and is aggressive to get her own way. In which case she shouldn't drive down those roads.

[ChippingInMistressSteamMop]

Don't do the sign. Just stop and wait for her to reverse (pick a day where being late wont be too much of a problem) - I'll even send you some home made biscuts to enjoy

[Quenelle]

Borrow extremely battered car, stop dead in middle of road in front of her silently waiting in manner of truck driver in 'Dune'.

[QuintessentialShad0ws]

Just park there and go for a walk.

I once did that. Somebody refused to move an inch for me so I could pass them and pick up my child. (they could not go forward with their van, as the road narrowed.) They were grinning and having a fab time making a point that they enjoyed being in my way. So I left my car RIGHT there in the road. So they could not get out. Then I walked slowly past them, said cheerily "just picking up my child from school, will be about 10 minutes" They were gobsmacked.

I was 10-15 minutes (cars behind me had somewhere to go). They were furious.
I just said "well, let it be a lesson to you, next time you move your van so it is possible to pass"

I was cheered by the crowd that had gathered.

[MichaelaS]

at horse comments. dont' drivers realise that driving close to a horse or revving the engine or shouting is likely (with some horses) to result in a trampled car?

I'd say no sign but do stop and wait it out. Try to be very calm and polite. If you get into a conversation perhaps mention that you see her every day and believe it is best if you take turns in reversing. If you're feeling mean, ask her if she is surgeon on her way to attend emergency surgery, or a if there is another similar reason why her time is more important than yours.

Love the comment about commiserating about driver's lack of reversing skills! :)

I don't think you can blame people for using a quicker more direct route, but you can blame people for not having a bit of common courtesy or for driving unsafely in a residential area.

[Tuggy]

Make the sign and do it :D and tea and biscuits - haha but you HAVE to report back or else YABU!!!

[FollowMe]

You are very restrained to ahve not done anything about her so far! That would infuriate me!

Can you do a very simple sign that just says 'YOUR turn to reverse' and hold it up with a big smile next time you come across her and then sit it out.

I'd LOVE to see her face

[jenga079]

I live in a city, but on a side street that people use as a cut through. This happens to me all the time. I reverse if it's easier for me to, if I'm running late or if the person coming towards me looks friendly, nervous or harassed, but I've been known to sit it out for over ten mins when a total cunt of a driver started shouting and gesturing at me. My response: it's my street mate, I don't have an alternative, you could sit it out on the main road if you'd prefer. Or reverse and let me out.

[TheMonster]

Just do it. Refuse to reverse and sit there staring at her.

With regard to blind bends, toot as you approach them.

[babybythesea]

Someone I know didn't even wait with her car -after waiting for someone else to reverse to the passing bay a foot or two behind him, she got out, locked the car and walked off - when she poked her head back round the corner he'd gone so he clearly could reverse when he wanted to....

[IHeartKingThistle]

Marking my place - I have got to hear how this turns out!

Good luck OP!

[Curiousmama]

loving this thread. Can't wait to hear how it goes?

[xstitch]

I used to be too scared but as I live in an area with lots of single track roads I have learnt to be stubborn. If the other person is nearer the passing place and is not going to find it more difficult to reverse (eg towing something) then I sit back and cross my arms and wait. Things came to a head once when some areshole expected myself and 3 other cars to reverse what was going to be half a mile because 4 cars couldn't fit in the passing place so he didn't have to reverse 2 ft. Having backup that day gave me the initial confidence to do and I have done ever since.

before I am flamed if I am the one at the passing place I always pull over or if I am at the crest of a hill and see them coming I will pull over and wait.

Also yy to tooting just before blind bends.

[lljkk]

We get this outside DC primary school, occasionally. It's an informal one-way system past the gate, which the regular drivers go along with, but you get the occasional plonker trying to face down a long line of cars approaching the school, expecting 5 or more vehicles to reverse. Makes me SO Glad I don't have to drive.

[lljkk]

FollowMe's suggestion is best :).

[xstitch]

This also reminds me of the time a guy was around here on holiday and had a fancy merc. He got into a confrontation with the farmer who owned stables who had a horse and cart out and was screaming at the farmer to reverse because he couldn't as his car was expensive. The farmer just stood there and said 'horses don't have a reverse gear but you have been diddled mate if you have spent that much and been sold a car without a reverse gear'

Caused a mini traffic jam but it was the best entertainment I have ever had during a commute.

[JenaiMarrHePlaysGuitar]

kungfu I can't recall why but I think you're local to me. Pleeeeaaaassse go to the paper, and make sure they take one of these photos

[JenaiMarrHePlaysGuitar]

Oh, and YANBU btw. I like the "Your turn to reverse" sign idea.

There are an awful lot of knobbers on the roads.

[cheesesarnie]

where i live,it tends to be law that locals do the reversing and passers through/holiday makers sit,wait and make faces.
i think if people come here(cornwall)they should learn to drive on the narrow windy roads.

[BaronessBomburst]

Not as much fun, but any point mentioning it to the local police? If she's driving dangerously they could give her a warning.

Disclaimer - I live abroad and our local police mend bicycle punctures for you. The fire brigade rescue stuck cows. Nothing much happens here.

[TandB]

So many good ideas - which to choose?! I do like the one that involves me getting homemade biscuits mind you!

I may rotate them on a weekly basis.

Shocked about the guy threatening to break the horse's legs - although he clearly doesn't know much about horses if he thinks he would manage it without getting a hoof though his head. I am always a little puzzled that some drivers don't seem to realise just how much damage and injury a frightened horse could cause to THEM, never mind to themselves and their rider. I once saw the result of a horse landing on a car bonnet - not pretty. Horse, incidentally, got off with cuts and bruises - not so the car.

[StayingDavidTennantsGirl]

YAsoNBU, kungfupannda! I look forward to the next installment of this story.

With regards to animals and cars - my dad was once following a chap who was driving with his lovely new shiny caravan on tow, along the country road near where my parents lived. Twat with caravan met a herd of cows who were ambling along the road, and rather than waiting patiently for them to amble past, he decided to put his hand on the horn, and try to force his way through the herd. He didn't know that this herd of cows had a bull with them, and the bull was very protective of the cows, and it took a swipe at the caravan as it barged past, opening the side of it up like a baked bean can! The driver was apoplectic, but my dad pointed out it was his own fault for being so impatient.

[JenaiMarrHePlaysGuitar]

Oh that's hilarious, Staying

What an idiot! And what the bloody hell did he expect to happen? Bizarre.