Damn lunatics on the roads!!

[Ex-RoNiN]

So I was coming back from work, minding my own business, when I come to a cross-roads of sorts near my town centre. I stopped at the red light, and I waited for the people to cross and for the lights to turn green. An idyllic little scene, which looked like the picture below:

So after a while, the lights turn yellow, in preparation for green. I put in 1st gear, and with the clutch dipped, did my 6 point check. It was all clear, clutch up to biting point, whilst simultaneously releasing footbrake and starting to apply the accelerator a bit. However, as usual, somebody had to take their chances and the following situation developed:

Yes, as I was moving away, some silly fool ran across the crossing, which was red. As I was starting to rapidly pick up speed, I saw him, got scared, slammed brakes and clutch on, and as the car stopped, I gave him a honk, 3 to 5 seconds long. I had almost killed him!

So what do you expect people in that situation to do? Hands on heart, I have done the same once, jump in front of a car moving off - I ran away embarrassed. I can see how someone would get annoyed, and give me an angry look, or swear a bit at me.

Did any of that happen?

Nope.

This guy, he turned around, screamed on top of his lungs "You ******* ******", gave me a middle finger with his left arm, he was going bright red as if his head was going to explode, and kept on screaming, kept showing the finger, and started approaching my car rapidly Then he raised his right arm, as if he wanted to hit the car, or tear the door open. I totally panicked, and just floored the accelerator, trying to get away from him. I almost ran him over as I was driving away (irony, hey? ) and I was staring through the side window at him, watching him narrowly miss hitting the car (or opening the door, not sure which!) - either way, I was bricking it, and I was not paying attention to the road, so as I was speeding away, my right front wheel mounted the kerb that you can see extending on the right, which is quite tall, about half-way of a 15" wheel? I mounted that, and stayed on it for a bit before coming down again after realising what had happened.

The car now feels weird, I think the tracking is knocked off, dunno what it is exactly, but its definitely gone weird. It can still steer properly, but it feels like there's extra force on the wheel.

Bloody scary that was, has anyone ever encountered anything similarly crazy? I was completely bricking it, still shaking half an hour later. Why are some of these people even allowed outside I guess the cops won't be bothered to look him up on CCTV and stuff, will they?

 

[Ex-RoNiN]

Sounds like a bit of a nightmare

I've had similar responses from people crossing the road without looking and then having the cheek to start having a go at me for driving on the road I usually just tell them where to go and drive off.

Extra force on the steering wheel? The wheel might be knocked out of / off balance, if the tracking was out then surely it would pull in one direction.

Yeah tell me about it Well, the car always had slightly wobbly tracking, but the force would usually be to the left, but now its like the force is to the right, but it is a different type of force, if you know what I mean? It definitely feels weird, its a different type of pulling (the old way felt like something was hitting the wheels, the new is feels like something inside the engine wants to make it go right).

Also, the steering wheel is now definitely off centre, it was straight before.

You could have said, you were pulling away...it would have been so much quicker.

P.s, thanks for the diagram, could never have pictured that scene of you in your car sat at a traffic light.

Yes, I am slightly sarcastic.

How long have you been driving? I come across at least one twonk everyday.

Been driving about a month now, give or take. Twonks or not, surely its not an everyday occurrence that you get chased down by some lunatic, who looks like he wants to rip your head off??

 

[Ex-RoNiN]

Yep people have been fined for doing that. The OP learned a lesson there I hope - if you horn someone whether they are on foot or in another vehicle, be prepared for an angry or violent response.

Don't be ridiculous, I have the right to use the horn when I think it needs using within the confines of the Highway Act, I will not modify my behaviour to accommodate some low-life scum that was brought up in a ghetto. I have my rights, and I shall exercise them to the right.

Next guy that goes psycho will get psycho back. I won't cave in to the cave people.

 

[Ex-RoNiN]

I'm looking forward to seeing how far you get with driving with that attitude.

What attitude I have the right to use the roads within the confines of the law, which I do. Unlike some other people here I don't brag about breaking speed limits, what about their attitude?

Driving sensibly but making full use of my rights are not mutually exclusive.

 

[Ex-RoNiN]

92: The horn. Use only while your vehicle is moving and you need to warn other road users of your presence. Never sound your horn aggressively. You MUST NOT use your horn
while stationary on the road
when driving in a built up area between the hours of 11.30 pm and 7.00 am
except when another vehicle poses a danger.

I was on the move, I was not sure I could stop in time, the way he jumped on the road indicated to me he was not aware of my presence. I did not sit there honking like a madman.