Safe Speed Forums

I was turning right, from stationary out of a hotel onto a fast straight NSL single carriageway. This would not be an easy turn at the best of times, but my view to the left was obscured by a breakdown van.

It was relatively quiet but this is a fast straight section of road. Looked to my right - clear for a good 10-15 seconds. *Looked* clear to my left from what I could see, so started to head across and turn, ready to stop should I need to. All still seemed OK so I moved a bit faster, when a Volvo Estate appears from behind the breakdown van. If I'd stopped then I would have been horizontally across a lane of oncoming traffic. So thought best option was just to floor it, knowing that the Volvo would have to brake a bit but hopefully as little as possible.

All focus for a few seconds was on accelerating up to free-flow speed as quickly as possible. However, I then saw the Volvo instead of braking was trying to overtake me (but I'd unwittingly out-accelerated him and he dropped back in behind me).

So he follows me for a couple of miles until we stop at some traffic lights - where he stops next to me obviously preparing for a "chat". At this point I was all ready to apologise. However his opening line was "Have you been drinking?", (needless to say I hadn't touched a drop).
I kept calm and replied with a civil "No I haven't. Sorry mate, my vision was obscured, my fault". He didn't seem to be listening though and mumbled something about lunatic driving. Again I apologised, but he still didn't seem in the mood for a civilised conversation.
He then passed another insult, as the lights changed to green and this time I did briefly lose it with a much sharper "I said I apologise, now piss off". Now I am only human but I'm really really not proud with myself at all for that and regretted it 5 seconds later. But I'd tried to admit my mistake and apologise yet all he wanted to do was have a go. Fortunately we turned in separate directions.

So, my fault I can't deny it - but with the breakdown van positioning I really did not have much choice. In hindsight, maybe I could have slowed down and let him overtake - however, he only had the front of his car level with my rear-screen. And if I'd decided to slow at the same time as he decided to back out of the manouvre it could have been quite dangerous. What else can one do in these situations though, (apart from trying to keep a bit cooler in the face of insults )?

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Why can't we just use Common Sense?

The odd time I've found myself in near identical situations, the secret is to keep as much eye on the aggrieved as you do on the road ahead for the next 200 yards, being prepared to defer to an overtake at any time.