The grumpy thread

[DodgeRover]

Driving grump from me.

Came home from work this afternoon on A3 in my works van which is limited to 70 and says as much on a sticker on the back.

Anyway, looked in the mirror, nothing there but a red car some distance back so I indicate and pull out into lane 2 to overtake two HGV's and a Transit tipper in lane 1. So I pass the two HGV's and carry on in lane lane 2 to pass the Transit. By now the little red car that was miles back (literally) is now right on my back bumper! It must have been doing three figure speeds to get so close in that time frame.

Next thing I know it's swerving around behind me flashing it's lights! I'm not one to be bullied by such cunts so carried on with my overtake. Then this car swerves across to lane 1, attempts an undertake on me as I'm about to start passing the Transit and squeezes through the gap in between me and the Transit!! It was so unbelievably close I don't know how this stupid cow missed my front wing or the back of the Transit. It was seriously close and was dangerous. So I gave her the horn, flashing lights and some foul language and hand gestures.

She then cuts back across into lane 1 right in front of the Transit and takes the slip road we were all about to pass!

Fucking impatient bitch. Why do people have this mindset these days where being behind someone else, waiting or being patient is completely unacceptable to them? Why would it even enter your fucking thick skull to attempt that sort of stunt just to get ahead by one car length only to immediately take the exit? It's me first me first and that's it.

I was absolutely furious when it happened. It was very nearly a 70 mph crash which would probably of caused me to roll my van if she'd hit me. The Transit driver shit himself when she did it too.

Have you got a dashcam? If so I guess you could send the footage through to the polis? Otherwise post it to as many groups as you can, send it to the daily mail or whatever. Failling that hire the same car and put those plates on it, spend a pleasant day speeding through cameras..

[danthecapriman]

Who knows?! All I know is that I wasn't holding him up and he took umbrage at me complaining about his close pass and first swerve into me to avoid the traffic light island. Car also had a loose and taped up n/s wing mirror, so possibly he has hit something / someone before.

Capriman Dan seems to have had a similar experience in his car. What's the world coming to!

As I said to the PC who phoned, most of the time you just shrug off the idiot passes and close left hook turns. But this was deliberate and dangerous intimidation.

Grumpy grump today is that I cycled in at 5.30am ( wearing my new fetching 3/4 length fluoescent yellow and black shorts) then found out at 4pm when coming home that I'd forgotten the baggy shorts I normally wear in daylight! Anyway, off to the lakes tomorrow with the whole family and get to drive my dad's new DS4- not a grump!

I also try now to not get wound up by stuff like this, you'd be pissed off all day otherwise. And it completely accept that everyone makes mistakes, I'm not perfect either but it's the people who deliberately do things because of a self righteous attitude, and it's dangerous! I was thinking afterwards if that would of hit me she could easily of killed me, Transit man, or herself and it's just not on! Especially if it's just because you don't want to slow down or are being impatient. Why should someone almost be able to kill someone else for the sake of waiting or slowing down.

I do tend to let it go now. I was very hot headed when I was a bit younger but I've decided it's not worth it anymore so make every effort to leave it alone but when it's that dangerous and pointless it's natural to go a bit mad. I just wish people would chill out and be a bit more courteous.

[danthecapriman]

Have you got a dashcam? If so I guess you could send the footage through to the polis? Otherwise post it to as many groups as you can, send it to the daily mail or whatever. Failling that hire the same car and put those plates on it, spend a pleasant day speeding through cameras..

Sadly not. It's a company vehicle (Merc Sprinter) but I'm seriously considering getting one out of my own money for my own peace of mind. The amount of driving I do it's probably worth it as it could put me in the clear with my employer if it came to anything.

Anyone got any recommendations for good cameras that I won't have to modify the vehicle in any way to fit?

[richardmorris]

I also try now to not get wound up by stuff like this, you'd be pissed off all day otherwise. And it completely accept that everyone makes mistakes, I'm not perfect either but it's the people who deliberately do things because of a self righteous attitude, and it's dangerous! I was thinking afterwards if that would of hit me she could easily of killed me, Transit man, or herself and it's just not on! Especially if it's just because you don't want to slow down or are being impatient. Why should someone almost be able to kill someone else for the sake of waiting or slowing down.

I do tend to let it go now. I was very hot headed when I was a bit younger but I've decided it's not worth it anymore so make every effort to leave it alone but when it's that dangerous and pointless it's natural to go a bit mad. I just wish people would chill out and be a bit more courteous.

 

EXACTLY!

[Timewaster]

Sadly not. It's a company vehicle (Merc Sprinter) but I'm seriously considering getting one out of my own money for my own peace of mind. The amount of driving I do it's probably worth it as it could put me in the clear with my employer if it came to anything.

Anyone got any recommendations for good cameras that I won't have to modify the vehicle in any way to fit?

Remember to throw the SD card in the skip if you have been a twat. You wouldn't want to incriminate yourself uunnecessarily.

[danthecapriman]

Remember to throw the SD card in the skip if you have been a twat. You wouldn't want to incriminate yourself uunnecessarily.

I can't drive this van like a twat really, it in full company livery with a phone number on it. It's also got a GPS device that measures speed, braking force, cornering, and exact location. It's so accurate I've had a bollocking before for going over the 30mph limit on a 30 road in town! It knows exactly where you are and what the roads speed limit is! I do make the effort to drive properly in this thing!

[HillmanImp]

I have been starting my new job, which is good but I am working in Redhill, which is a long way from Yorkshire.

 

Currently sat in an Ask Italian on mi lonsome surrounded by cheery people enjoying their night out whilst i sit here looking at my phone.

 

To make matters worse Imp Jr. is poorly and I am miles away and can't look after him.

 

Sucks.

 

However, i shouldn't have to come down to Redhill too much after this, hopefully.

[DodgeRover]

Sadly not. It's a company vehicle (Merc Sprinter) but I'm seriously considering getting one out of my own money for my own peace of mind. The amount of driving I do it's probably worth it as it could put me in the clear with my employer if it came to anything.

Anyone got any recommendations for good cameras that I won't have to modify the vehicle in any way to fit?

I bought one as my van is painted 'stealth' blue and is practically invisible on roundabouts and at junctions......

 

I've got one off ebay that cost £12 + a microSD card, stuck it on the window months ago and it's not moved since, runs from the fag lighter socket. I did have it recording continuously but it seemed to have a wobbly after a week or so and need the cars reformatting so now is wired via ignition controlled live. Picture quality is good enough to make out reg numbers and what people are doing. Does a continous recording loop once the card is full it over writes the oldest files first.

[DodgeRover]

I have been starting my new job, which is good but I am working in Redhill, which is a long way from Yorkshire.

 

.

Redhill Surrey?

[danthecapriman]

I bought one as my van is painted 'stealth' blue and is practically invisible on roundabouts and at junctions......

I've got one off ebay that cost £12 + a microSD card, stuck it on the window months ago and it's not moved since, runs from the fag lighter socket. I did have it recording continuously but it seemed to have a wobbly after a week or so and need the cars reformatting so now is wired via ignition controlled live. Picture quality is good enough to make out reg numbers and what people are doing. Does a continous recording loop once the card is full it over writes the oldest files first.

I might look into getting one I think. The trouble is with my employer, if things do happen on the road it's immediately their own staff who are treated with suspicion regardless of what actually happened. If nothing else it might just put me in the clear should anything happen.

I might ask my boss if they will at least consider letting me get one for my van, they might see it as a great idea and buy one for me.

My van is due for replacement very soon too so I might try getting one for the new van.

[richardmorris]

I used to think it was driving an old car that made people pull out on me at junctions and roundabouts, but it happens when I'm in a new car or on my bike too. Back in 1994 I bought a set of triple tone air horns for the 2cv after a bus pulled out in front of me across two lanes on the coast road nr Holywell to turn right and then stopped blocking th two lanes. It's not easy to lock four wheels in a 2cv from 60mph!

 

I occasionally think I must have pressed the Klingon cloaking device button by mistake in the merc! If it wasn't increasing in value I'd be very tempted to accelerate instead of braking some times. Let's see how two tones of German engineering does against your poxy Vauxhall (* other cars are available, and don't indemnify our client against other modes of road rage).

 

My mum always said to watch out for the idiots on the road - which I do, but it doesn't actually help when the idiots chase you down.

 

A boring story....

Monday night on the way back from our 2cv meeting in twickenham, a very large circus Lorry was turning right at the lights from my left. It was struggling and so I hung back and let it manoeuvre as my lights turned green. My lights went red and then green again whilst the rest of the bloody troup drove through oblivious as they wanted to stick together. Three sets of red, green etc I sat through, then stamped my foot down in annoyance at being taken for a mug and for the first time in my ownership the merc set off in 1st gear- wow does it move at 5000 rpm in 1st! Had an email later from my mehari driving friend behind asking if I'd meant to leave 20feet of tyre tread on the road!

 

Have I said I'm having a bad week?

I also have to pay for our weekend family holiday In the Lake District on Sunday ( a week before I get paid) which is ok, but not my idea -( my sister's idea for our parent's 50th wedding anniversary). I am not convinced that my 4yr old niece will be happy doing Catbells.

[Lankytim]

Alternator on the PT cruiser is making a whirring sound and the battery light is on. it's a ball AND cock ache on the 2.2 diesel too. Still starts and drives fine though. weird.

[Guest Hooli]

and for the first time in my ownership the merc set off in 1st gear- wow does it move at 5000 rpm in 1st! Had an email later from my mehari driving friend behind asking if I'd meant to leave 20feet of tyre tread on the road!

 

 

I used to love that trick of Merc autoboxes when I had a 260e. Pull away in the wet, just balancing grip with the throttle & at 20mph it'd shift down & go sideways

[Cavcraft]

I can't drive this van like a twat really, it in full company livery with a phone number on it. It's also got a GPS device that measures speed, braking force, cornering, and exact location. It's so accurate I've had a bollocking before for going over the 30mph limit on a 30 road in town! It knows exactly where you are and what the roads speed limit is! I do make the effort to drive properly in this thing!

 

I can't begin to imagine how shit it must be have a vehicle with a tracker like that. I'd have been sacked on my first day if we had them 20 odd years ago.

[DodgeRover]

One of the sparkies I worked with got pulled into the office as the tracker showed he had stopped off at the scrapyard in the way home

[andy18s]

The Father in law retired from the AA just as they were bringing in tracking for their vans

He was constantly getting pulled into the office to explain his "vigorous acceleration " and "fuel wastage" that was being logged....

[bub2006]

I've a tracker in my van. Moniters location and speed that I know of. I've not been pulled up for quick acceleration or going into corners too quick

[messerschmitt owner]

sounds to me like the kinds of over zealous bosses who need to get a life!

[chaseracer]

It's the 'McKinsey Maxim', so beloved of management consultants and unimaginative executives the world over: "what can be measured can be managed."

 

Whether it's important or not...

[Lankytim]

We have telematics measurement devices on the fleet of MAN trucks at work, they check for harsh braking, cruise control usage, harsh acceleration e.t.c. it's a right pain. The night drivers going long distance get 100% cruise usage and no harsh braking, the day drivers get pulled up for harsh braking and lack of cruise control usage caused by general rush hour traffic. My route is the same every day and features lots of town driving and A roads so cruise control is not used that much. The guy in charge of looking at the telematics told me to make a 30 min detour every day so I can use more motorway and improve the cruise % and fuel consumption. Crazy!

[bub2006]

I've not been pulled on cruise use or harsh braking. I do accelerate to limit of road hard sometimes especially if on a time limit and management "forget" ti tell me

[dollywobbler]

Mate of mine got pulled up when he was a Tesco driver for using excessive revs. This was despite him getting the best economy figures...

[Cavcraft]

I had one of your colleagues behind me in Stoke on Tuesday, Tim. If you can get pulled for driving like a complete back and front, he's going to be knackered. I know not all drivers are the same, most are great, but he was a bellend.

[danthecapriman]

In fairness I've not found our lot to be too bad with the trackers. My old van didn't have one and wasn't restricted either so when we found out these new Sprinters had all this we kicked off.

But they've been alright with it really. The speeding thing does come up from time to time, mostly if you break a 20 or 30 limit but generally it's not too bad.

They don't seem bothered about where you are at what time etc but it will and does come into the equation if your in trouble. For example, a former colleague got in bother for fiddling his time sheet but he then lied about what he was doing on the days in question. They pulled up his tracker info and proved him to be lying. Unfortunately that was him done!

 

It can work in your favour though.

I was once pulled in for a bollocking as some complete twat phoned in and accused me of cutting up the bus they were on causing people to fall of seats and almost cause an accident.

It turned out the bus was a bus service layed on for my employers staff to/from our main call centre! The woman who complained was the PA to one of the big wigs there!

I contested it and requested an investigation be done and freely offered the examination of my vans tracker info. When they looked it revealed me to be in the right location but the speeds, acceleration etc didn't match the description of what I'd allegedly done. They then found the bus driver and asked him what happened and he didn't have a clue what was going on!

It turned out the PA woman had done this to make a name for herself at my expense and was dealt with for it. I was in the clear.

 

It does mean you've got to behave yourself in the van though, you can't drive around like I would in my own car.

[Kiltox]

GPS jammers are a thing.

 

Just saying.

[dollywobbler]

In fairness I've not found our lot to be too bad with the trackers. My old van didn't have one and wasn't restricted either so when we found out these new Sprinters had all this we kicked off.

But they've been alright with it really. The speeding thing does come up from time to time, mostly if you break a 20 or 30 limit but generally it's not too bad.

They don't seem bothered about where you are at what time etc but it will and does come into the equation if your in trouble. For example, a former colleague got in bother for fiddling his time sheet but he then lied about what he was doing on the days in question. They pulled up his tracker info and proved him to be lying. Unfortunately that was him done!

 

It can work in your favour though.

I was once pulled in for a bollocking as some complete twat phoned in and accused me of cutting up the bus they were on causing people to fall of seats and almost cause an accident.

It turned out the bus was a bus service layed on for my employers staff to/from our main call centre! The woman who complained was the PA to one of the big wigs there!

I contested it and requested an investigation be done and freely offered the examination of my vans tracker info. When they looked it revealed me to be in the right location but the speeds, acceleration etc didn't match the description of what I'd allegedly done. They then found the bus driver and asked him what happened and he didn't have a clue what was going on!

It turned out the PA woman had done this to make a name for herself at my expense and was dealt with for it. I was in the clear.

 

It does mean you've got to behave yourself in the van though, you can't drive around like I would in my own car.

 

Admirable by your company, if certainly not that PA woman. I agree that it can be a good thing in such circumstances. It's just annoying when the data is used as another tool by clueless managers to berate their staff.

[Jazoli]

GPS jammers are a thing.

 

Just saying.

Gps jammer use is gross misconduct, 2 engineers at my old company got fired for using them, they would drive to site, turn jammer on then drive home for the day, go back to site and turn jammer off at 4pm and go home.

 

What they forgot that the tracker records every mile travelled and you had to submit your van mileage for your fuel claim every month, coupled with regular van inspections, things weren't adding up!!

 

It's best to play by their rules unless you like job hunting

[RoadworkUK]

I remember seeing something when trackers first came on the go about a company owner saying that the month after the trackers went in their fuel bill went down by 15%.

There's a lot of people out there who take the piss.

 

Not just vans. I don't imagine that many diesel 3 Series are driven in such a way that they achieve anything like their transport-manager friendly fuel efficiency figures.

[chaseracer]

I don't imagine that many diesel 3 Series are driven in such a way that they achieve anything like their transport-manager friendly fuel efficiency figures.

 

Pillock...?

 

[Cavcraft]

I remember seeing something when trackers first came on the go about a company owner saying that the month after the trackers went in their fuel bill went down by 15%.

There's a lot of people out there who take the piss.

 

I always took the piss, to be honest. Route wise we could pretty much do what we wanted on our own 'patch' but if someone (not me, of course) decided to erm 'earn some extra income' it wasn't difficult. As for driving, it was basically as fast as you could, as often as you could, which you had to do most days to do what they expected. If anyone drove between Chester and Newtown on a regular basis between about 1994-2001 I'd have been the one in the yellow Cargo on the wrong side of the road, flat out.