Who really has the right of way??

[kitty-kat]

Not sure is any of you are familiar with the small village of Bray in Berkshire, but there is portion of the road through the village that literally has room for one car at a time. So those travelling southbound have the priority over those travelling northbound. (with one of those large white arrow/small red arrow signs at both ends.) This is my question: do those without priority have to wait when they see oncoming cars, or can they still enter and then expect the oncoming traffic to wait for them? Like, if it's obvious that you're not going to clear the way before the oncoming (priority) traffic gets there, can you still go ahead?

[ilyusha]

I'm sure that you can, but you are not supposed to 

[kitty-kat]

That's what I thought!! In case you were wondering, I was the one who had the priority, it was the other person who entered when she clearly 1) saw me and 2) would not get through in time. Her rational as we met near the middle of the lane was that I should've waited because she arrived marginally earlier than me.

[steveg]

That's what I thought!! In case you were wondering, I was the one who had the priority, it was the other person who entered when she clearly 1) saw me and 2) would not get through in time. Her rational as we met near the middle of the lane was that I should've waited because she arrived marginally earlier than me.

She is wrong - if this had been a normal road without any priority, then her reasoning would be correct, but it isn't. It would be her responsibility to see that the road is clear before entering the narrow section, and, even if she had already entered, she should give way to yourself.

Of course common sense should also come into play and if she has gone through and is nearly out of it by the time you arrive (or when you can be seen) then she should of course carry on.

OTOH - if you had decided to be bull headed and career on through and the vehicles collided, then she would find she had little or no defence and would likely lose a battle of words between the respective insurance companies (presuming she had insurance).

Steve

[Lotus Freak]

what Steve said

I take it there was no collision but words were exchanged...

[kitty-kat]

No, no collision! And really, had she already been midway through when I got there, I would've waited for her to pass- I guess the thing that made me mad (and I'm totally bullheaded to be fair) was that she and I were approaching at nearly the same time- she definitely saw me well before entering!

[AllenRH]

She may have been in Pennsylvania on Township Line road the other day.

[steveg]

No, no collision! And really, had she already been midway through when I got there, I would've waited for her to pass- I guess the thing that made me mad (and I'm totally bullheaded to be fair) was that she and I were approaching at nearly the same time- she definitely saw me well before entering!

Then, not only was she wrong but had a sadly common attitude amongst certain drivers of "F*** you, I'm going anyway" - personally I would have gone into the road and blocked it until she backed up - I hate with a vengence selfish bad mannered driving and the attitude that some have of being more important than anyone else on the road - you know the sort of thing.... a long line of traffic to go straight ahead at the roundabout and virtually nothing to turn right, so they cruise up the right hand side with right indicator going, but as soon as they are on the roundabout they cut in and go straight ahead anyway  Grrrr   

Steve

[kitty-kat]

This was exactly what happened! That's why I continued until we met in the middle. We actually sat there for a good few minutes with her making all these hand motions like I should back up- meanwhile lots of cars were backing up both in front and behind. She got out of her car and basically said why am I sitting here, I should've waited for her, blah blah. To which I said, I have priority and that I didn't have to wait for her, she should've waited for me. I did end up backing down in the end (and backing up) because it just wasn't fair to all the other people waiting- but I'm glad that we sat there long enough that the 20 seconds she thought she'd gain by bulldozing through were multiplied by 5! Stupid b**** !!!

[kitty-kat]

There is so totally a difference to making an honest mistake, and just being a greedy bad driver! I make it a point to not take advantage of other drivers: cutting in, passing on the left, etc and hold high standards for others to do the same! Likewise I make an effort to accomodate other cars when there's lots of traffic, letting them in etc- so it boils my blood when people blatantly disregard the rules and disrespect me!!!

[Lotus Freak]

bad mannered drivers is one of my major pet peeves. People trying to get ahead in a line just does my tree in. I'm one of those who see signs saying to merge because a lane is closed way before it merges. Then you have those who do bulldoze through thinking they can get ahead...infuriating.

[Molly Mockford]

There are a lot of bad-mannered drivers out there, and even more who are selfish and pig-ignorant;  but it's not worth getting upset over them.  Why let them spoil your day, by letting them make you angry, raising your blood pressure?  That way lies road rage - and never forget that when you are driving, you have a lethal weapon in your hands, just as much as if you were walking around with an AK47.   Much more sensible to shrug off the idiocy of others and carry on with your own life, feeling smugly superior to them if you prefer (although better not to!).  You'll live longer, and very much more happily!

[Lotus Freak]

I'm slowly getting there Molly, I suffered from really bad road rage when I lived in the US but it's really calmed down a lot. I think for the most part there's a higher percentage of UK drivers who are very kind and courteous. When I first started driving over here I couldn't get over how nice people were in letting you out of a busy junction or shock horror, letting people cross the road. I know you're right but there are just days when it's hard to shrug off and I get steamed...it doesn't happen often as I drive country lanes for the most part and there's hardly any traffic there

[kitty-kat]

100% was she said!
For the most part, I think drivers here are way more courteous, and driving is much less stressful! It's just every now and again when there is a situation I really get mad about- but you're right- in the end getting upset over the bad drivers is just not worth it!

[AllenRH]

The best is when someone cuts you off, then dilly dallies just under the speed limit because now they are doing something other than driving. One thought comes to my mind - typical; or typical moron if I am under the gun with time.