I made a mistake last week on a roundabout, misjudged the speed of a Renaultsport Megane and pulled out in front of it, forcing it to slow down, I was immediately greeted with hand signals, headlight flashing and general road rage.. I held my hand up to apologise for what was quite obviously my mistake, and the guy acknowledged the apology with a polite hand gesture and then backed right off as if nothing had ever happened.

Nice to know that there are still some semi-sensible drivers out there who are capable of understanding that all of us make mistakes sometimes

We all make mistakes and those that say they dont are lying!!

I do try to apologise where I can so that my kids (if in the car) can maybe learn from it too for when they are driving.

Steve

Agreed, it does work wonders, as does thanking people.

It's an interesting psychology. If someone pulls out in front of you and then apologises, you feel inclined to 'oh well, that's all right then' and are immediately placated.

Nice to know that there are still some semi-sensible drivers out there who are capable of understanding that all of us make mistakes sometimes

Imho, these make up the majority of drivers but all too often in situations people find it hard to admit to making a mistake and things escalate out of control very quickly. Much easier to diffuse the situation from the outset (even if you're not in the wrong) and get on with a nice pleasant drive.

I also agree with Gilly about thanking people.

Chris

Thanks guys - and Chris, I will be in touch with the IAM guy you recommended to me (still haven't done it yet! how awful..), I just need to find a spare day where I can go and do some driving with him!

We all make mistakes and those that say they dont are lying!!

I do try to apologise where I can so that my kids (if in the car) can maybe learn from it too for when they are driving.

:+1: Thats just what I do

Pah I never make mistakes and I'm always right etc etc etc........

Back in the real world I've got to second this, I've always been amazed at the positive impact it has when apologising.

Only once did it not work, at a roundabout in Coventry when I did pull out and cut this bloke up, he followed me and at the next set of lights got out to have a "serious" debate out it. Strangely he ran out of bravery face when I squeezed my prop forward's frame from behind the drivers wheel of my aging polo, and my 6'5'' second row unfolded himself from the passenger seat. Priceless.

There's nothing worse than someone totally screwing you up and then totally ignoring you and not even offering an apology or thanks.

In truth when I let people out of junctions and they don't thank me I get a touch annoyed.

When I'm pulling on to the M4 from the A48 (where it is quite often stationary) I make every effort to make my gratitude to the lorry driver/car driver that let me on to the motorway as clear as possible. There is so much bullying going on at that junction that I think it's a breath of fresh air when people are courteous enough to let you out .

It probably helps that where everyone else goes right to the end of the sliproad as quickly as possible and then bullys their way in, I hang back and go a constant 20mph and filter in where there's a gap, or where a gap appears...

The psychology is quite clear to me; If you apologise, you're saying that you realise that you did make a mistake, and actually care about it.

I`v been driving for a living now for nearly 2 years, and my mrs said a few days ago how much calmer i am now when someone pulls out in front of me or something, part of it is probebly age too, im 20 now. I cant see the point in losing my temper if someone makes a mistake, however, its much nicer when someone does apologise and put their hand up to a mistake, after all, we all do it from time to time.

Matt

Recently an old fella pulled out of a side street in front of me, I don't think he even looked! Got on the horn to make him aware of his mistake and he waved a sorry. He might remember next time to have a better look.

A Vectra full of Jews pulled out in front of me on a round a bout the other day, again with the horn so he sees the error of his ways, he starts making the you're mad hand signal (point at temple then make circles) i'm not sure if he meant he was mad or I was!

If I let someone out and they don't thank me I give them exagerated waves, it's only worked once though when a BMW driver (of all people) waved after I let him in and he hadn't acknowleged me.

I never flick the Vs or mouth obscenities, I find a look of disapointment, maybe a small shake of the head usually works, maybe what your dad might do when he finds out you've failed your exams.

A Vectra full of Jews pulled out in front of me on a round a bout the other day.

Not sure how PC that is (not that I care about being PC) but it just reminds me of something Borat would say!

Not sure how PC that is (not that I care about being PC) but it just reminds me of something Borat would say!

Maybe, someone may come out with "you wouldn't have said a Vectra full of christians" but they had full curly side burns, hats, boring suits, the lot! You don't often see that where I live.

I always thank people and get upset if I don't get thanked. I also go with shaking the head if people are stupid. Better than shouting and swearing IMO.

Also, there seems to be karma from letting people out at junctions, turnings etc. 90% of the time when I let someone out they seem to turn off at the next junction and so are out of my way again and we're both happier people!

Maybe, someone may come out with "you wouldn't have said a Vectra full of christians" but they had full curly side burns, hats, boring suits, the lot! You don't often see that where I live.

He he what is with the curly dangling bits. I just don't get it? Can anyone on here actually explain the real reason for them :confused:

A Vectra full of Jews pulled out in front of me on a round a bout the other day,

Brilliant!

Prince Philip? on Briskoda?

i thank people all the time, even the ones that i let through who dont thank me. if the window is open i let out a cheery "THANK YOU" and they quickly look round as if im mad, my daughter finds it amusing and on one occasion as the car has gone by and ive done it he has put his hand up to say thanks.

Courtesy doesnt cost anything and if more drivers used it then there would be less road rage and stress on the road.