Aggressive van drivers

[Davew]

Now before I rant, I'd like to point out that I own and drive a van as my other transport and have nothing against people who drive them apart from..,,,

In the last 2 weeks I've had works van drivers almost pull out on me making me brake suddenly as I'm not psychic and don't know "they've seen me". Both have then immediately started a tirade of abuse at me and one got out of his van to start on me. If if have stuck around I'm sure we would've had a full on fist fight. Now I may have missed something and perhaps the Highway Code has been changed since I last looked, but I'm pretty sure riding in a straight line along a road is normal and legal motorcycle behaviour. I'm just shocked at how easily both these blokes have got so aggressive instantly when I've not stopped in the middleof the road to let them get on with whatever the hell they were doing.

In short, what the hell is the problem with van driving morons at the moment?!! 

[Grahamm]

I can't answer your question, but I can make a few suggestions:

1) When you're coming up to a situation like that, always assume that they *haven't* seen you and adjust your speed so that, if they do pull out, you're not going to be in the same place that they want to be.

2) Ride with your headlight on and add a deliberate "weave" to your line as you approach them to make yourself more visible.

3) Get a helmet camera, record them and report them to the Police if it's really bad/ dangerous/ threatening.

4) Try not to let it get to you

[Davew]

I can't answer your question, but I can make a few suggestions:

1) When you're coming up to a situation like that, always assume that they *haven't* seen you and adjust your speed so that, if they do pull out, you're not going to be in the same place that they want to be.

2) Ride with your headlight on and add a deliberate "weave" to your line as you approach them to make yourself more visible.

3) Get a helmet camera, record them and report them to the Police if it's really bad/ dangerous/ threatening.

4) Try not to let it get to you

yep, I do all those things, apart from the gopro, and number 4 is proving the real tricky one first thing in the morning!

[stevierst]

In the heat of the moment the last thing you'll remember is their reg plate no. But if you can, then report them, there's no need for that kind of aggression on the roads.
Had it a few times recently myself, but in my personal rant in my helmet forgot to get the reg plate!>

[Frosties]

Now before I rant, I'd like to point out that I own and drive a van as my other transport and have nothing against people who drive them apart from..,,,

In the last 2 weeks I've had works van drivers almost pull out on me making me brake suddenly as I'm not psychic and don't know "they've seen me". Both have then immediately started a tirade of abuse at me and one got out of his van to start on me. If if have stuck around I'm sure we would've had a full on fist fight. Now I may have missed something and perhaps the Highway Code has been changed since I last looked, but I'm pretty sure riding in a straight line along a road is normal and legal motorcycle behaviour. I'm just shocked at how easily both these blokes have got so aggressive instantly when I've not stopped in the middleof the road to let them get on with whatever the hell they were doing.

In short, what the hell is the problem with van driving morons at the moment?!!

You're wearing a helmet and hard knuckle gloves - can't see the issue  :lol :lol

[darrsi]

There's always the chance they were just angry coke head wankers, who'll pick a row with anyone about anything!
There's certainly plenty of them out there!

[fazersharp]

If I see a van I expect them to do stupid stuff and tailgate me, if im in car or on bike and the same gos for all orange, gold, lime green coloured cars which im sure the van man must drive when they are not working.
And how come van man always drives like a tit and very fast yet if they are delivering stuff to you it will always be late.

[stevierst]

Completely different mentality when they're in the van for some reason, turns them into mindless morons who think they own the road!
I know they don't, because its my bloody road, and you can all get out of my way! ;D

[YamFazFan]

A lot of delivery drivers work on a 'job & finish' basis tho don't they? (the earlier you get done,the earlier you get off home).that could explain a lot

[frostman]

The worlds a changing place when I first started driving if you made a mistake you got beeped and you apologised and moved on doesn't matter now Van/car/truck/bike if someone does something wrong and you let them know you get the abuse and its you that's being a wanker. I miss the old world.

F

[lew600fazer]

Sadly it is just society today, I remember a post on here or another forum were the biker got chased by white van man. It ended up in court and white van man got a suspended sentence 2 year ban and something else.
When they were leaving the court white van man told the biker he had ruined his life. The prick was found guilty of dangerous driving and still fails to see the error of his ways.

I blame the TV and other media sources, not that I watch them , wife does so it is there in your face so to speak (soaps) likes of Eastenders / Corrie etc! they spend all there time arguing and moaning, no one seems to be happy.

I think bikers should be allowed to carry arms and if white van man carves you up blow his fecking head off!!!!!!!!!!! they would soon learn to behave drop a few thats what I reckon, or is that a bit OTT.  :2guns

[Dave48]

The second sentence of your post is the crux of the matter: You dont know whether hes seen you or not-even though he may appear to be looking in your direction. So you have to assume he hasnt & prepare accordingly.
As an ex large van driver I can assure you that most vans have a good view of the road(apart from the "A" pillars on such as the Mercedes Sprinters which can obscure your view to the sides at junctions. Also I think the very size(& power) of most modern vans gives some drivers a sense of "invincibility"- along the lines of "Im bigger than you so get out my way".
Was watching a TV prog the other evening about the motorway maintenance guys & one of them made the point that they dont refer to RTAs(accidents) anymore but RTCs(collisions) since there is usually an element of human error in most incidents.
Also the sheer density/volume of modern traffic causes frustration/anger which often leads to poor or deliberately bad driving.
As a rider you have to take responsibility for your own behaviour/safety as far as poss & dont allow "them" to make you angry which I know is easier said than done but it doesnt matter who was at fault if you are lying in the road injured or worse and your pride & joy is damaged/wrecked.  :eek

[darrsi]

Sadly it is just society today, I remember a post on here or another forum were the biker got chased by white van man. It ended up in court and white van man got a suspended sentence 2 year ban and something else.
When they were leaving the court white van man told the biker he had ruined his life. The prick was found guilty of dangerous driving and still fails to see the error of his ways.

I blame the TV and other media sources, not that I watch them , wife does so it is there in your face so to speak (soaps) likes of Eastenders / Corrie etc! they spend all there time arguing and moaning, no one seems to be happy.

I think bikers should be allowed to carry arms and if white van man carves you up blow his fecking head off!!!!!!!!!!! they would soon learn to behave drop a few thats what I reckon, or is that a bit OTT.  :2guns

Maybe just a 40mm grenade machine gun somehow fitted to the bike, only used in emergencies obviously.  :evil

[lew600fazer]

[quote author=lew600fazer link=topic=14907.msg168940#msg168940 date=1412380349]
Sadly it is just society today, I remember a post on here or another forum were the biker got chased by white van man. It ended up in court and white van man got a suspended sentence 2 year ban and something else.
When they were leaving the court white van man told the biker he had ruined his life. The prick was found guilty of dangerous driving and still fails to see the error of his ways.

I blame the TV and other media sources, not that I watch them , wife does so it is there in your face so to speak (soaps) likes of Eastenders / Corrie etc! they spend all there time arguing and moaning, no one seems to be happy.

I think bikers should be allowed to carry arms and if white van man carves you up blow his fecking head off!!!!!!!!!!! they would soon learn to behave drop a few thats what I reckon, or is that a bit OTT.  :2guns

Maybe just a 40mm grenade machine gun somehow fitted to the bike, only used in emergencies obviously.  :evil
[/quote]

Yea that would work or just the grenade, play catch up tap the window at the lights , pull the pin and drop it in , leg it,  :lol

[robin78842]

Don't forget whatever you do make sure he is dead!  Otherwise he will find you again...






Cool down, Forget it, as Jamie Whitham said " there's another just coming up to concentrate on. "...

[NorthWestern]

On the way home from work last week a van pulled across into the third Lane as I was there.  I was about level with his window and just riding along, not filtering.  He saw me, I accelerated, he just kept coming, no corrective swerve or owt!  When I checked my mirrors he was right on my back tyre so had clearly just swooped across...

[fireblake]

The camera is the best way. Film them, report them, then put the footage on Facebook, share it on here and it'll go viral. We can then all share what a complete wank3r this person is. I wouldn't tell him he's being recorded either.


Mickey

[taylor]

now I drive a bike, car and van,  hows that. lol about two years ago in Exeter city centre a truck pulled out in front of me??? I did jump out and climb up his steps to pull him out, but he was having none of it, even locked his cab, :eek, so had to jump off, lol.

[YamFazFan]

I think too many car & van drivers are now completely disassociated from motorcycling and have no empathy with bikers.In the past lots of them would have at least had a moped/scooter/small bike for getting to work cheaply on,or rode for a couple of years before moving on to a car,even if they didn't go on to take the test.I reckon anyone that's ever been on 2 wheels for any length of time is going to have an understanding of it that will never leave them even if they spend the rest of their life on 4.

[Dinger1962]

had trouble with same driver for couple of weeks big foccer he was when he had his work buddies with him he seemed to be baiting me-he was sitting in a local pub having a meal with his wife when i spotted him -instead of makin a scene i whispered in his ear so his wife couldnt hear and told him i wouldnt humilliate him by smashing him all over till he pissed blood if he would just take a bit more care whilst driving his van--funnily he shook my hand with a pleading look on his face and ive had no bother since--although i dont condone violence it is a means to an end--ride safe dont be a victim--------