How to apologise from your car

[Kaine]

Just wondered how you can apologise to another driver from your car.

On Friday, I 'accidentally' pulled out in front of a car while coming onto the M4. I was completely in the wrong, however honestly did not see the car in the slow lane. I proceeded to put my hand up to apologise, but it seemed to just infuriate the driver into flashing his lights continously for about 2 miles. I couldn't get away due to the heavy traffic, and when he finally went past me I put my hand up again to say sorry, but had to brake as he tried to remove the front end of my car, followed by many hand jestures.

I think we really need some universal apology signal for driving, as sometimes we make honest mistakes and very sorry. I almost flashed my hazards, but thought it may look like I was intentionally winding him up.

sigh[16]

Kaine

 

[runboy]

And had you let a shop door go in his face, then apologised, I bet nothing else would have been said and he would have accepted your apology. Face to face and people are different...get into your little metal boxes and no apology will be accepted by some people! Must be an age-old thing of eye contact and facial expression which is removed when driving.

I do find it annoying when someone pulls out in front of you, but at least if they wave you appreciate it....but when they ignore you then that really winds me up. However some people will never accept an apology and there isn't much you can do apart from get out of there way as soon as possible-a bit difficult on the M4!

There are a number of ways of thanking people-wave, flash, hazards but I don't know how a 'sorry' acknowledgement would work...thumbs down maybe to indicate your poor driving....

Chuck them a box of Roses!

Steve - 2002 1.4SE petrol, Silver, black/black interior, Then an identical replacement 2003 A2. Now a Toyota Corolla 1.6 T-Spirit

 

[hollyrescue]

A few weeks ago I was approaching a cross roads, I was on the main road with right of way, when a car appeared from the right, stopped looked at me, then drove straight at me as I went past. Using my lightning reflexes(!)I steered violently to the left and braked, just touching the kerb with my front wheels. I gave him a withering look and carried on my journey. At the next set of lights he pulled alongside me and wound his window down. I thought "here's trouble", he said "I'm ever so sorry it's the most stupid thing I've ever done in a car, and I sincerely apologise".... I said "well as long as you've learnt something I'm happy and accept your apology"
The only other time a similar incident occured I was driving my motor bike and was driven at in the same manner as above. I got off the bike to discuss the ancestry of the driver, and similar interesting topics, when I looked inside there were 4 nuns. So I apologised for falling off- and that's true!

I was going to say what's the most stupid thing you've done in a car. But I don't think it's wise to go there!!!

 

[runboy]

hr-could have been fancy dress....
Did they have tatoos on their arms, beards and gruff voices? That may have given them away!

Steve - 2002 1.4SE petrol, Silver, black/black interior, Then an identical replacement 2003 A2. Now a Toyota Corolla 1.6 T-Spirit