White Van Drivers

Noel PT
Noel PT Posts: 627
edited August 2007 in Commuting chat
Not a long rant, I just dont have the energy and you've heard it all before, but white van drivers are the biggest @ssh*les. I just had my life flash before my eyes thanks to a Berkleys Construction van.... what a dick!

Great I feel better now.
www.ttspersonaltraining.co.uk

Comments

  • NickATRvtec
    NickATRvtec Posts: 26
    What about taxis?

    Nearly got killed by two of the c***s today even with really, really obvious use of signalling :x
  • BentMikey
    BentMikey Posts: 4,895
    Shame, poor you. If it's a liveried company vehicle, your best ploy is to remain calm, get reg details and photo/video of the driver, and then write the company a calm and conservatively written letter of complaint. Que driver in manager's office to explain his side of the story. Best punishment you can issue, IMO, particularly if you didn't lose your rag and shout/swear/thump his vehicle.

    OTOH, I've had some extremely courteous driving from WVM, to a higher proportion than from the general driving population. Dunno why though!
  • Noel PT
    Noel PT Posts: 627
    Well I wish I could say that I didn't verbally abuse him, but that would be a lie.

    Just gotta avoid traffic circles from now on.
    www.ttspersonaltraining.co.uk
  • CarKiller
    CarKiller Posts: 60
    "traffic circles"?

    Been in country long?
  • fidbod
    fidbod Posts: 317
    Gotta say whit van man is generally a pretty considerate driver round london, the worst are the people driving buses, they are liability to everyone.

    Bent Mikey has got it right though - try and remember location time and reg plate and then complain.
  • driverpm
    driverpm Posts: 65
    Got to say that in the country, my experience is that whenever anyone gets too close, going too fast it is a white van or BMWX5 (or similar) :(

    as a slight aside on the X5 topic, i know that the footpaths and bus services for schools in my area are poor, but it seems as though it is always the yummy mummy in the X5 (sorry for generalisations - just personal experience) that drives inconsiderately, while they are getting Rupert and Pandora to the school and Montessori nursery . However, if you drove in that way when it was their precious popette cycling, it'd be the most heinous crime in history - I'M SOMONE'S PRECIOUS POPETTE TOO Y'KNOW! :lol::wink:
    Facts are stubborn things, but statistics are more pliable
  • graham_g
    graham_g Posts: 652
    I get no more close calls from vans than any other vehicle - however every 4x4 on my way home always gives me loads of room; three or four 'regulars' I think.
  • driverpm
    driverpm Posts: 65
    Graham G wrote:
    I get no more close calls from vans than any other vehicle - however every 4x4 on my way home always gives me loads of room; three or four 'regulars' I think.

    wow lucky you, where do you live? I agree that the majority of drivers (of which i am also one BTW, in both name and activity, so can be a Driver and a cyclist at the same time!) are great and really considerate. So i really only notice the poor driving and it always seem to be as above :(

    Phil
    Facts are stubborn things, but statistics are more pliable
  • driverpm
    driverpm Posts: 65
    Sorry Graham, Just noticed you're in Brum. Lived there for a while too ('98 - '03) and cycled between Bearwood and the Uni - thinking back i don't remember to many near misses - so maybe it is a regional or road-type thing?
    Facts are stubborn things, but statistics are more pliable
  • Hairy Jock
    Hairy Jock Posts: 558
    White van drivers, ther's one born every minutes, idiots the lot of them...
    **************
    Best advice I ever got was "better get a bike then"
    Cycle commuting since 1994. Blog with cycle bits.
    Also with the old C+ crowd at Cycle Chat.
  • BentMikey
    BentMikey Posts: 4,895
    Nah, I had another brilliant interaction with one yesterday, going to work. Really nice guys, we were joking from Peckham to Vauxhall on each respective overtake, considerate driving. Got more considerate driving from another couple of vans on the way home.

    But not from some tosser in a Merc, who overtook me closely and fast and irritated. Didn't like a bike coming past him, so I told him to get out and milk it on the third one, and left him sitting in a monster traffic queue.
  • trafficdodger
    trafficdodger Posts: 24
    Quick story: I was travelling along 'a road' in London. I noticed a white van was matching my speed strange. I turned to my right to see 3 lads in there 20's staring at me. The one nearest me said "how would you like it if we ran you off the road you useless C**T?!" :evil: I was approaching a busy junction with traffic lights, I looked up, they were turning to red. I happened upon an idea :idea: . I slammed on my brakes and dropped into the blind spot on the other side of the van. I hung there until the van became stationary. I took out a small Allen key I use to adjust my look pedals and rammed it into the exposed valve of the rear right tyre.

    They were onto me pretty quick but not quick enough as the tyre was now flat as a pancake and they were going nowhere! I ducked into the lane for tuning right, lights went green and I sidled off 8) to a cacophony of car horns and a flick of the middle finger.

    Writing to the company and complaining is all well and good but I can tell you that abuse like that deserves swift retribution.
  • Gilbs
    Gilbs Posts: 6
    I find WVM generally are more considerate than car drivers, again generally, and so are buses, lorries, and motorbikes. At least here in Exeter. Funny, these groups (and us cyclists) are forever the subject of rants by car drivers in local papers and phone in programmes on radio all over the country!

Categories