Today I was driving and I wanted to turn left out of a driveway in order to turn right at the light to go on the following street. There was a van further back, so I had the opportunity to turn, and try to get into the right lane. The light was green so everything was cool until the driver in the van behind me rudely honked the horn. Did I do something wrong? I was looking behind my shoulder to make sure I could get into the lane, so what was the problem? Sorry this is so tedious, but I want 2 know if it was my fault so I can prevent it in the future. I'm 17 yrs. old and consider myself a safe driver- never changing the music or doing anything that would distract me from the road. Thanks!
2006-09-02 12:14:56 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Well, your story sounds good, but, people's perceptions of the same event are often different. To you, you might have had ample room to safely make the maneuver you wanted, but to the van driver, who's vehicle can't stop or steer near as fast as yours might be able to, you might have been way too close for safety from his or her perception. And then, there's this thing called "attitude". Everybody's got it. It's just used at different times, and sometimes at the same time. When I'm driving my small car, people don't seem to see me, or don't care to. But when I'm in my one-ton, diesel powered pick-up truck, people seem so much more courteous. I bet the size of my truck, and it's diesel sound, gets them to think again about what they should or shouldn't do around me. And when I'm in my small car, I can whip in and around traffic with ease, and sometimes have, at a pace that will put gray hairs on many a poor driver. But when I'm in my diesel pickup truck, I know my size and sound are intimidating enough, so I can drive a whole lot more carefully, because I, too, know my big vehicle can't stop as quickly as my little one. So, I don't know that anyone here can tell you who's fault your incident with the van driver is. A police officer who measures exact footage in accidents would have a more objective viewpoint, but with the variables I've named above, vehicle size and attitude, I don't think anyone here can say who's fault it actually is. And then too, there is the variable of age. You, at age 17, clearly has a very different perception of things than say, me, who in his mid-50's, with at least a million miles and 38 years of driving experience will see things differently, and we'll have our "attitudes" about the other age driver to top that. So, I'm glad you asked your question, since it shows you're thinking about what you're doing out there on the road, but I surely couldn't tell you who's fault it was since I wasn't there. Just be more careful next time, not that it was your fault this time, but remember the variables that come into play, which may be a whole lot more than the simple ones I've talked about above. God Bless you.
2006-09-02 12:35:29 · answer #1 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When people are unhappy, impatient, or just rude, they take it out on the road in their cars. If he was speeding, you may have made him have to slow down a bit and he wants to blame you for him being late. unfotunately there will always be rude drivers. It shakes me up every time. I just play safe instead of sorry and try to avoid them.
2006-09-02 19:21:25 · answer #2 · answered by Jacqueline 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Either you were asleep (not paying attention) when the light first turned green, or possibly (if you are cute) the man was flirting with you in his own shy way? Just a guess!
2006-09-02 19:20:42 · answer #3 · answered by Big Cat 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The honk could have been an accident. i know I've hit my horn before on mistake.
It doesn't sound like you did anything wrong.
Stay a responsible driver!!! :)
2006-09-02 19:34:15 · answer #4 · answered by njyecats 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Nah, you did nothing wrong, the other guy was just in a hurry, which incidently(sp?) is probably the cause of most accidents not involving alcohol or drugs....
2006-09-02 19:19:43 · answer #5 · answered by r m 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
well he might have just been honking to let you know he was there. the horn is meant as a warning, not a way to tell people they pissed you off.
2006-09-02 19:17:48 · answer #6 · answered by redhawktotem 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
He thought you jumped in front of him.
2006-09-02 21:02:37 · answer #7 · answered by sheeny 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no,i dunt think so, must nice try HAHAHHA
2006-09-03 00:25:00 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋