To think some drivers are totally selfish

Mmm, I don't think drivers are always selfish, just thoughtless. That could be because they have something else on their mind or are totally focused on getting to where they are going. That said, there is some atrocious, entitled and arrogant drivers out there and it does seem to be getting worse.
As a driver, since the new hierarchy driving laws, I am astounded by what pedestrians will do. They seem to think that having the right of way will somehow magic them out of getting hit or killed. There seems to be a greater arrogance with pedestrians too. We all need to balanced about how we use the road whether we are pedestrians, cyclists, on mobility scooters, electric scooters or in cars.

Imo many people behave in a way once they’re behind the wheel of a car in a way that they never would if they met someone face to face.

In the latest edition of the Highway Code pedestrians have priority in these situations, plus the fact the driver is crossing a footpath to get from private ground to the road. Generally a combination of ignorance (they don't know the rules of the road) or arrogance - they do know, but choose to ignore them!

There are patient, courteous drivers just as there are pedestrians. The big nuisance where I am is electric scooters (all illegal on public areas). They have total disregard for drivers and pedestrians. Saw a regular one today when out shopping, zooming up behind pedestrians, cutting inbetween to get to the nearby pedestrian crossing where traffic was just setting off. Whizzed on and one driver had to brake to avoid hitting her. The irresponsible drivers are everywhere.

I had an odd experience a few days ago.

I was crossing the road at the same time as a young man, a car stopped and the driver waved. The young man darted across the road and I started to shamble across but had to stop as the car had started moving, the driver seemingly unaware that I was there.

I have often read that women above a certain age are invisible.

It was daylight and I was wearing a bright red coat.

Maybe the driver was just focussed on the young man? I’ll never forget stopping at some traffic lights at which a mother and her child crossed. As they reached the pavement and the lights changed the child suddenly ran back into the road for no reason. Thankfully I always hesitate slightly before I do anything when I’m driving and always double check but I’m sure some people would have just driven forwards as soon as the lights changed. If I see someone on the pavement with a dog on an extending lead I always assume the dog is going to run into the road…and they sometimes do even though their owners seem to be oblivious to it.

…I always think I’m invisible if I’m not wearing make up. At one time I would never leave the house without wearing make up and was always surprised if someone recognised me. These days I’m make up less 99.9% if the time so assume I’m invisible to most people! It’s quite liberating.

Lack of use of indicators is my biggest bugbear. Even when used, it is sometimes too late. I can’t understand why many drivers don’t realise that indicating as they are turning is a little bit too late, as the signal is meant to be used to warn other drivers, and pedestrians, of their intentions - sooner rather than later. I swear that the next time I have an opportunity to speak to a driving instructor, I will beg them to instil to learners the importance of signalling when appropriate, and timely. Not that I’m blaming young drivers, but it’s a starting point. Rant over.

If anyone wants to see selfishness road users both vehicular and pedestrian try going through a town which operates a shared space policy ie no rights of way at junctions. Our town has this policy and despite protests from locals they still went ahead after a trial. They took away pedestrian crossings with the raised slabs, which help blind people know where the pavement dips and it’s safe for their dogs to guide them across the road. There are sections of the road which have different surfaces, the thinking is that drivers will allow pedestrians to cross. Drivers enter a junction with no right of way so it’s a free for all who gets to go. I refuse to go into town unless absolutely necessary.

i generally find that women are the most unlikely to give way to women with prams & pushchairs. I began to notice that over 20 years ago and nothing has changed.
In general most drivers are totally unaware of the highway code which has provisions to give way to buses and pedestrians.

Once a week I volunteer making bacon rolls, hot chocolate and hot pain au chocolat which we serve to kids who are bussed out of our area every day as we don't have a non-selective secondary school. We set up in a gazebo on a bit of land near a mini roundabout having prepared everything in a church nearby. Every week we witness the selfishness of drivers and typically at least one near miss, sometimes more! Most drivers in the rush-hour have absolutely no patience. If queues build up they start beeping their horns and don't seem to realise that it will not speed up their journey at all! As others have said, no-one's time is more precious than anyone else's. We all need to show patience and courtesy when we drive!

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Cateq

If anyone wants to see selfishness road users both vehicular and pedestrian try going through a town which operates a shared space policy ie no rights of way at junctions. Our town has this policy and despite protests from locals they still went ahead after a trial. They took away pedestrian crossings with the raised slabs, which help blind people know where the pavement dips and it’s safe for their dogs to guide them across the road. There are sections of the road which have different surfaces, the thinking is that drivers will allow pedestrians to cross. Drivers enter a junction with no right of way so it’s a free for all who gets to go. I refuse to go into town unless absolutely necessary.

When I visited my DD in Dubai there were a number of junctions like that in the area she lived. I found it terrifying being driven through them.

I hear today that our Lincolnshire road deaths have exceeded last years. Can't say I'm surprised, and saddened,by this.
Many of the drivers I pass out in the countryside, think half empty roads are an excuse to speed, ignoring the fact they are not all straight Roman roads, some sharp bends.Going out to visit family, one road has a bad double bend, as I came towards it a large suv on its side in a ditch. You have to treat roads and other road users with care,
As I drive through town, can't count how many drivers, men and women, go through red lights. One old boy tried to force his way in front of a large van, ended up losing his front wing, but was swearing at the other driver as if it was their fault. As for indicating, they must all be broken.
Mums with kiddies won't walk a few yards down the road to a pelican crossing for safe passage, too many jaywalkers who think it's OK to jump in front of a car without warning, perhaps they should carry a red flag for danger!! So six of one half dozen of the other, if all who used roads were more aware, courteous, and knew the HC, including pedestrians and cyclists, it would make using them easier and safer for all.

I have long since come to the conclusion that drivers should have to do a refresher course every ten years, and get a certain number of points to be allowed to continue driving, and that all cyclists should have to pass a test as well, and go on refresher courses, as should motor cyclists and scooter owners.

The longer a person has a licence the more they seem to forget of the Highway Code.

I read a good book once on how we perceive and experience our environment and it differs for car drivers and pedestrians; we see things differently, obviously.
As said above, a lot of peds. just go their own breezy way and hope the drivers spot them.
I now have to be doubly careful of peds. as I drive a silent electric car. People do not hear me and twice have cruised up to a walker - to be fair in the middle of a long drive up to the gym I go too - ambling in the middle of the road. I got within a metre before stopping and shouting through the open window. They both jumped a mile and I had to apologise to keep the peace. Yes, I could sound the horn but that can give an worse shock to the system.

I hate cyclists on the pavement.
They silently whoosh across my gateway just as I'm creeping forward out of my drive towards the kerb.

Pedestrians can see me and (as I'm looking and not moving quickly,) I can see them.

Cyclists however see no pedestrians on the pavement - and then assume the pavement is all for them.
They just don't look.

But cyclists have the right of way over you if your pavement is one they can ride on NotSpaghetti. Although our pavement doesn't have any signage, it is a designated cycle path according to the cyclists who have whooshed across my driveway as I am leaving it!

Ours is NOT a cycle way.
It is super dangerous even creeping out.

The OP could just as easily have walked around the back of the car and been able to continue with their day.

Every ordinary street pavement is now a potential hazard for pedestrians. Glad we are on a cul-de-sac.
…and footpaths! Well around here they would do well to bring in new signage such as beware of the many speeding e bikes/scooters and the odd dirt bike illegally using this path with impunity

Has anybody seen the Disney cartoon short "Motor Mania"?

It was released in 1950 but is still very true.