How to communicate displeasure to drivers?

metalmare

metalmare

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I am very diligent when thanking good drivers, but when exasperated I do sometimes try to show it, usually with a big Italian style shrug, if you know what I mean, plus a shake of the head and mouthing, 'what on earth...'

However, the drivers that speed past tend to be the ones in their own world and rather than looking carefully at my gesture they misread it for thanks and wave back...

Short of flipping fingers, or carrying a placard with 'thank you' on one side and 'what a jerk' on the other, how on earth can one communicate with these people?
 
You can't. They have no idea that they're doing anything wrong. For dangerous drivers, report them to the Police.
 
I go for lots of large gesticulation to get their attention, then either for the two finger salute, or a good dollop of the 'anchor sign - works for me :)
 
A friend of mine (categorically not me :)) has been know to carry small stones in her pocket to launch at particually pig ignorant drivers. Very uncouth if you ask me and as i said ... not me...ho hum.
 
PapaFrita said:
Here in Argentina it is customary to swear loudly and gesticulate wildly.
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I am with this!!! My 10yr old thanked me for the lesson in swearing from which he said he learnt some new words and gesticulations after an impatient adult driver hooted my 17 yr old learner driver son who was just driving cautiously ooooo I went mad :( It made me feel better venting :)
 
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Don't get drawn in. They wont think they are in the wrong & it will only anger them which in some people will make them seek revenge for you questioning their driving ability. Take number plate & report to Police. Nothing will get done, but if there are multiple reports into a single car they may look into it.
 
For me it depends on what type of tw*tish driving they are doing.

I have a lil 125cc scooter so they all assume I can't go anywhere at any speed and tailgate me. I had one guy squirrel behind me :o I calmly Flash my break lights on. If they still don't back off I slow right down and go into the middle of the road flashing my break lights. I REFUSE to be intimidated.

Overtakers who try to shove me into the ditch, I have been known to wallop windscreens and doors on their way past, including a police car who overtook me with less than a foot of room to spare :o

Perhaps I am mental but all the locals now know not to mess with me ;) Swearing loudly also helps!
 
I thank every vehicle that goes past 'cos I think we should thank the ones that do slow down to encourage them to keep doing it, and the ones that don't will hopefully think I'm being sarcastic and be shamed into slowing down next time! :D
 
I might swear to myself about bad drivers verbally but if they pass too close I will try to signal with my arm that they should have given more room with a thank you at the end.

I don't tend to make rude gestures because quite frankley on a horse we are vulnerable enough as it is without upsetting someone who could take it out on another rider or even do myself and my horse some damage. I normally throw my right arm up in a "what was that" kind of way to show displeasure to really bad drivers.

In the same token I take great offence to drivers who swear or shout at me when I am riding on the road.
 
A friend of mine pulled out in front of someone and got beeped. She was in the wrong so was sheepish but her young son said "I did the sign mummy" :eek::eek:
 
If riding and you want to show displeasure try an outreached arm and use the thumbs down jesture - that stands out a mile - even in a mirror

And its not considered rude
 
ROG said:
If riding and you want to show displeasure try an outreached arm and use the thumbs down jesture - that stands out a mile - even in a mirror

And its not considered rude
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Good idea.

I just thank the drivers that have slowed down and ignore the ones that don't. The occasions when someone has done something really stupid I've normally been looking at them or facing them so plenty of time to show my displeasure. Case in example, when me and my friend were indicating to turn right into our field, could hear a car roaring up behind us, despite it being obvious we were turning (arms outstretched, cars opposite slowing to let us cross, already veering to the middle of the road), this car decided he was going to overtake us anyway. I did a big shrug and shouted "what are you doing?!". Was absolutely gobsmacked. Would you overtake a car or bike about to turn? He probably would!
 
I like the thumbs down (in my mind there's also a gameshow wrong answer buzzer) and also like the image of 'italian style shrug' it made me think you would also stick cotton wool in your cheeks and do a godfather impression, maybe find out where they live and leave a horse's head in their bed (a fake one, its not like they insulted your family).
 
I wave my fully outstretched arm up and down - the signal for "slow down" - and yes, they do see it in their rear view mirror, as you often then see the brakes go on (after they've passed me).
 
Simple - if you're a carriage driver, whip their car. Works every time. & when you get them try road rage on you after, just report them to police for dangerous driving & deny everything.
 
Sorry nicnac, I meant when riding :-)


I like the thumbs down and the arm to slow down ideas. I normally just talk to my pony and use a few choice words, but he never replies or ventures his opinion.


It's not unusual around here for people to pass at 40-50 mph (infamous Lincolnshire roads). It's hard to communicate much in that timescale.

I should say, however, that I am very lenient and I always thank drivers if they think they're slowing down, even if it's not enough, because if they think they're being helpful I like to encourage. I worry that not thanking will make them not bother next time. I hate it when riders don't thank me!
 
My horse doesn't need a whip, but I carry it for obnoxious car drivers! I have it upside down so the rubber handle is at the bottom. Any cars that get so close that my whip can touch the roof of their cars get a "donk" (it's not a schooling whip, though it is a touch longer than a jumping whip). It's rubber handled and I never use any force so it doesn't do damage. Just makes enough noise to worry them.
I never take my hand off the reins to do it (or reach out) so it does show how close they got. If they stop of yell at me I explain my whip must have got caught on their car BECAUSE THEY WERE SO CLOSE. Although I do stay calm, and smile and ask them next time to pass wider as most horses aren't so well behaved.
Obviously you need to be on a horse that doesn't react to the noise!

Those that speed past get the highway code SLOW DOWN arm movement. Those that pass slow and wide get a lovely big grin and a wave of thanks :D
 
Assuming it's when riding - I don't do anything if a "bad" driver goes past me as although it's stupid and dangerous for them to rush past at a million miles an hour, I feel as riders we're vulnerable enough as it is and I would never forgive myself if someone slammed their car in to reverse and came at us - I've read stories of this happening and it's just awful.
I always thank anyone who slows down, even if it's just slightly.
 
I have on two occasions reported dangerous people to the police (who did take action) and one occasion had quite an argument with a duty Traffic Sgt., who eventually apologised.

New Year's day in Scotland and riding out at 9.00am with my husband a novice rider on a deserted road, until ahead we saw a white vehicle approaching flat out with lights on. "Who is this b***** Fool said my husband. It was a Police car.

Our two horses were bomb proof but the driver had no way of knowing that. I rang the police and the Duty Sgt proceeded to argue with me, how fast did I think they were going, they were attending an emergency etc, etc. I pointed out that having a bolting horse through the windscreen would have resulted in a much more serious emergency.

So they checked the on-board video, saw we were both wearing hi-viz, no doubt were shocked at the speed of the police car and apologised.

Another incident involved a car with two bikes on the roof rack. I knew they were off to enjoy cycling off-road in our National Park. After I had put my horse away I went in search of their car, which was parked in our local town. I left a message on their windscreen which said

"I hope you have enjoyed your off-road cycling, safe from speeding and irresponsible motorists. Next time you are safe in your own car, please remember cylclists are not the only vulnerable road users."

I found this particularly annoying as millions of pounds from the public purse was put into the National Cycle Network but on a warm sunny Sunday in the Trossachs, hundreds of selfish cyclists pour into the NP with their bikes on their cars and with no care for other road users.
 
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