Do You Think Bigger More Expensive Cars Pick on Smaller Cheaper Cars in School Traffic?

LSharon S on 23/01/2024 - 10:59
Last edited 23/01/2024 - 11:24 by 1 other user

I don't know if I am taking things too personally. School is back and traffic is horrendous.

Often you need to pick your lane early. Traffic is slow and banked up. I drive an old VW Jetta. I have on a few occasions in past years had a more expensive and bigger car (usually a SUV) signalling to turn (or cut/push) into my lane while I am waiting in banked up traffic. I don't know why they don't choose to cut in front of another car when there are many cars banked up there and I am not at the front of the banked up traffic. When I don't let them in (because I have spent the time in the line to be where I am), horn them as they push in, they get angry.

This morning a black BMW in the lane to my right would hold up all the cars behind him to push into my lane. I refused to let him in and horned but he pushed in anyway.

Can someone please enlighten me? Am I taking things too personally? Just let people walk over you? What should I do next time?

Automotive BMW Volkswagen Jetta

Comments

  • coxjon on 23/01/2024 - 11:04
    +28

    Don't let them in, they have more to lose :)

    • Jimothy Wongingtons on 23/01/2024 - 12:44
      +5

      exactly, also get a dash cam if not already have :)

    • Sharon S on 23/01/2024 - 13:02
      +3

      Yes my ego agrees but then I thought about being held up on the road when you have an accident, having to lodge claim forms with the insurer, having to take car to repairs etc, I very unwillingly swallowed my ego in the moment. :(

    • TEER3X on 23/01/2024 - 17:24

      Is that always possible though?

      Some people just assume you will brake and let them in, otherwise their will be damage.

      Isn't it just best to avoid getting your car all scraped up and dealing with the aftermath?

      • skullster704 on 23/01/2024 - 17:39
        +1

        Make your car look pre-scraped and expensive cars tend to avoid you in the first place…

        But also have a dash cam for the one time they don’t give way and you’re in the right.

        • TEER3X on 23/01/2024 - 18:00

          Thanks for the tip, at Bunnings buying a hammer right now.

  • Seraphin7 on 23/01/2024 - 11:05
    +10

    I don't know about school traffic, but there is definitely a different attitude generally displayed based on the car you drive.

    From time to time I have occasion to drive both a large SUV and a small hatchback. There is definitely a greater propensity from other drivers to "cut me off" when in the hatchback vs. the SUV.

  • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 23/01/2024 - 11:06
    +7

    You have the advantage. Don't let them in, they're not going to risk hitting their toorak tractor into your old car :P

  • MrThing on 23/01/2024 - 11:06
    +8

    buy the cheapest safest second hand piece of junk (Camry???) for the school pick ups. slap on some 3rd party property insurance

    and just see who wants to cut / push in front of your with their 100k+ flash SUVs, ill bet they try, but will be disappointed when you don't let them in / cave to their bullying

    • richadam on 23/01/2024 - 12:26

      And a front/rear dashcam for evidence.

  • Drakesy on 23/01/2024 - 11:15
    +7

    Do You Think Bigger More Expensive Cars Pick on Smaller Cheaper Cars in School Traffic?

    Nah they lack a thing called empathy, as long as it suits them then it's fine.
    Also not going to be sexist but it's more a demonstration of the demographic that drives their kids to school in a soccer mum car that may be the issue.

    There's a school near where i live where the police started breathalysing mums outside the (very prestigious) all-girls school because they kept getting into minor crashes in the kiss and ride bay.
    The number pinged at 3pm over the limit was pretty impressive - enough to get into the local paper.

    TBH though when i had my Audi Q7 the badge went to my head and i didn't give a fark about anyone else.

    • MrThing on 23/01/2024 - 12:41
      +5

      The number pinged at 3pm over the limit was pretty impressive - enough to get into the local paper

      probably time they all got a job, cant be pissed at 3pm if your employed

      • Drakesy on 23/01/2024 - 14:41
        +3

        Given their kids are at private school they'll most likely all be stay at home mums with millionaire husbands.

        You have to give them some leeway, in between their morning pilates, getting their au pair to take the kids to school because it clashes with coffee with the girls at the tennis club, and thinking about how best to spend your other half's salary their day is quite stressful.

        • MrThing on 23/01/2024 - 15:11

          have to splurge on the spirits then, not much time in the day to get pissed if youre only drinking wine

          thats alright, their kids will grow up to be little entitled shits, spend all the money on blow and the cycle will reverse

          • Drakesy on 23/01/2024 - 16:09

            @MrThing: 1pm-3pm would still be long enough to down a bottle for meeee

  • Caped Baldy on 23/01/2024 - 11:23
    +8

    They're just terrible drivers and as Drakesy wrote they lack a lot of empathy. They buy bigger cars because it's safer for them. They don't care too much about anyone (aka mobile speedhumps) outside.

  • Ryanek on 23/01/2024 - 11:25
    +1

    Yes, because getting into an accident with an expensive car is more expensive.

  • Muzeeb on 23/01/2024 - 11:28

    TIL that school has started for 2024.

    • mapax on 23/01/2024 - 11:32

      Doesn’t start until next week in Victoria

      • Muzeeb on 23/01/2024 - 11:34
        +1

        That makes sense. Cheers

  • tsunamisurfer on 23/01/2024 - 11:42
    +4

    Its the driver not the car.

  • jv on 23/01/2024 - 11:45
    -1

    BMWs always have the right of way.

    Learn the road rules.

    • payless69 on 23/01/2024 - 12:25
      -1

      Thant brand has a dual function:
      Lengthens and tightens……

      • jv on 23/01/2024 - 12:27
        -1

        Who is Thant ?

        • DashCam AKA Rolts on 23/01/2024 - 13:25
          +3

          Thanos' cousin?

        • payless69 on 23/01/2024 - 17:27

          I prefer gap exposing cars from the cave rescue commenter.

    • nahkk on 23/01/2024 - 12:29

      I don't know who down-voted your comment. I had a chuckle. +1

      • payless69 on 23/01/2024 - 17:25
        +1

        Of course Bimmer owners after they have paid insane moneys for what they believe would lengthen their most important part. Now they look into a mirror and found out it was a scam. So downvote the exposer!

  • Porker on 23/01/2024 - 11:48
    +4

    Perhaps they're used to a certain level of entitlement…

  • 87percent on 23/01/2024 - 11:49
    +2

    its Hunger Games when it comes to school drop off/pick up.. its ridiculous. There was multiple notices sent out to parents at my kids school last year because of verbal incidents in the school car park! I've witnessed a couple of them, its pretty funny people get so upset infront of their kids AND friends!

  • sien on 23/01/2024 - 11:55
    +4

    Which car gets more expensive damage when there is an accident ?

    Drive a beater and be fearless.

  • ihfree on 23/01/2024 - 12:02
    +8

    There are plenty of articles on the psychology of SUV ownership - feeling superior as higher up, increased feeling of safety, etc. I've noticed the same thing riding a motorbike or in a smaller car.

    PS: Hopefully, your scenario doesn't apply to merges - zipper merges are most effective as they allow the most road to be used.

    • Gdsamp on 23/01/2024 - 12:09
      +4

      yes and they are bought by people to compensate for driving ability

      • netjock on 23/01/2024 - 12:14
        +1

        and size of appendages

        • mapax on 23/01/2024 - 12:17

          You’re thinking of sports car drivers.

        • Gdsamp on 23/01/2024 - 12:18

          that but also to attenuate impacts from driver stereotypes (e.g. hitting curbs etc)

        • Ghost47 on 23/01/2024 - 17:20
          +1

          I would say bigger car = bigger ego.

          • Speckled Jim on 24/01/2024 - 09:29
            +3

            @Ghost47: Bigger car = bigger deficit. Cognitive, personality / confidence and downstairs.
            If it was 100K+? Add mug punter.

            Choose to drive an SUV in an urban environment, and you proudly advertise your failure as a human being to me and everybody else in the know.

    • netjock on 23/01/2024 - 12:14
      +1

      That is why sports cars are more exciting.

      People and their boring SUVs. They are just Camrys in drag except they cost a lot more (upfront and in fuel)

      • Ultimate Gattai on 25/01/2024 - 18:25

        Given the choice between an SUV and a sports car, I'd rather have the sports car, I don't get why so many prefer the SUV if money wasn't the issue.

        • netjock on 27/01/2024 - 14:14

          Sports Utility Vehicles = SUV

          People will believe anything you tell them if you tell them often enough and have stunt drivers in exotic locations using real 4WD rather than the FWD versions under controlled condition.

          But you know the saying. If everyone knew everything that is good for them and acted accordingly society would collapse.

    • jv on 23/01/2024 - 12:28

      There are plenty of articles on the psychology of motorbike and smaller car ownership

      • ihfree on 23/01/2024 - 12:30
        -1

        How's your BMW going?

        • jv on 23/01/2024 - 12:31

          I don't have one.

  • shaybisc on 23/01/2024 - 12:16
    +7

    I still can't get my head around the concept of kids getting driven to school. Who picks them up from school when both parents work?

    • nahkk on 23/01/2024 - 12:28
      +2

      One parent can be working from home. Or both parents alternate working from home. Or both parents may not be working full-time.

      In my kids' school, BigCare runs an after-school care program where children enrolled in care program stay in school premises until 5pm/6pm. Certain school rooms/areas are used by BigCare. They also have a before-school care program as well. I believe that many schools in VIC have similar programs.

    • Jimothy Wongingtons on 23/01/2024 - 12:46
      +1

      maid? butler?

    • TheBilly on 23/01/2024 - 13:36
      +1

      Stay at home mum, maybe the dad works? Or vice versa, stay at home dad?

    • Brick Tamland on 23/01/2024 - 15:38
      +2

      Yeah, we never got personally chauffeured to school, it was on the bus.

    • Ghost47 on 23/01/2024 - 17:18
      +1

      "I'm leaving now, going to pick up the kids I'll be back online around 4:30 pm." is what I see in the workplace.

    • netjock on 27/01/2024 - 14:16

      parents work?

      That is why there is so many jobs. People just pretend to work. Look at how many family friendly part time jobs (10 - 3pm, 25hrs per week) jobs there are floating around and you'd know that people either have to have expensive after school care / one parent stay at home / find a sub optimal job to make everything fit together.

  • JimmyF on 23/01/2024 - 12:25
    +2

    This morning a black BMW in the lane to my right would hold up all the cars behind him to push into my lane. I refused to let him in and horned but he pushed in anyway.

    Not picking on smaller cars, just BWM drivers in general.

    Generally the one with the more fancy/costly car gives ways in fear of being damaged.

    • afoveht on 23/01/2024 - 17:13
      +1

      My own default policy for letting people in front of me is based on a sliding scale from "welcome in" to GFY: bomb, common hatch / sedan / wagon, expensive car, SUV, big SUV, expensive SUV. Exceptions apply according to the situation.

  • cashless on 23/01/2024 - 12:26

    My favourite is parents stopping to drop their kids in the "no stopping" zone.

    • jv on 23/01/2024 - 12:30

      Why is that your favourite?

    • Porker on 23/01/2024 - 13:57
      +3

      I had a parent complain to me about how traffic was so busy around X school and that the Government really needs to step in to fix it because it's causing morning and afternoon traffic delays around that area.

      The parent went on to also state that as a result of that congestion, their kid was late to Y school (down the road).

      I asked, 'Aren't you causing the issue you're upset about?' Reply 'I don't see how I'm causing the school congestion'.

      School congestion and being 'forced' to park in a No Stopping zone is never the parents' fault…. :\

    • Speckled Jim on 24/01/2024 - 09:37

      With the outrageous cost of education at a decent school, they should have offered a teleport option by now.
      Shuttling kids around — poor parents!

    • Ultimate Gattai on 25/01/2024 - 18:29

      Are school buses not a thing any more? This was pretty much my school life in the 90's/00's, I think that would be better than everyone dropping off/picking up their kids everyday, unless they're too young and no one is home.

  • apsilon on 23/01/2024 - 12:40
    +1

    Euro SUV in school zone during pick up or drop off times should trigger alarm bells. I usually don't like to generalise but in this case, shit, pushy, arrogant drivers every one of them.

  • Bid Sniper on 23/01/2024 - 13:28

    Just get a beater and prepare for ramming speed.

    Will show those Facebook mums whos da Alpha

  • TheBilly on 23/01/2024 - 13:35

    Do people cut in because they are obnoxious, yes.

    Do people cut in, because your car is smaller than theirs? This is a long stretch.

    I think you are probably more conscious of the size of your car than anybody else.

  • pao2x on 23/01/2024 - 13:50

    It's all attitude, aggression and skill. If you grew up driving in a developing nation those SUV bullies shouldnt stand a chance to a nimbler car.

  • Drpepper666 on 23/01/2024 - 13:52
    -3

    You could just let them in? Lol

  • Sammy2000 on 23/01/2024 - 14:17

    I see a difference in other's road behaviours depending on which car I am driving. Are we not all being biased against BMW SUV drivers?
    No, I do not drive a high yield investment car.

  • Garry044 on 23/01/2024 - 14:51

    It's a common theme I see more and more on the roads these days - the entitled drivers (of all vehicle types) driving like the rest of us don't matter and they can do what they like. An indicator (when it's used) doesn't guarantee it's safe to change lanes. A head-check is not optional. And having the temerity to block a lane of traffic while you wait for someone to let you into a queue to turn doesn't make you brave… it makes you an idiot. Whatever happened to going round the block?

    Having said that, my wife and I have frequently debated the merits of dashcams… she's concerned I would get into accidents because I've got proof the other party was in the wrong. So conversations in our car often now go along the lines of 'you can't merge where there isn't a space'…. 'it's also an offence not to avoid an accident when you could have'…

    There's no easy answer. But I'm retraining myself to remember when I was hit by a car when cycling during covid. While I'm lying in a hospital bed (or worse), the question of who was in the right or wrong becomes rather irrelevant!

  • Ghost47 on 23/01/2024 - 17:18

    I don't think you're taking it too personally, people will continue to act like jerks until they are put in their place (sadly this isn't 100% foolproof) so it's good that you tried to stand up to them. As time goes on I get the feeling that we're becoming more and more inconsiderate as a society (or maybe we always were this inconsiderate) from the behaviour that I witness in general. Maybe it's because people are becoming more and more stressed, like when you have a rat in a cage and decide to add another 10 rats to the same cage, either way that's no excuse to act like a jerk.

    I would say if the same person does it to you again use your horn a lot again to really get the message across, and if they do it again then get out of your car, walk to their window and give them an earful and the finger. There's too many bad drivers out there and they need to be told they're bad. The amount of nut jobs on our roads has seemingly increased exponentially the past few years.

    • m a c9 on 24/01/2024 - 09:01

      While I agree with your points, I doubt these people will acknowledge or admit that they are bad drivers in the slightest bit. I reckon chances are they'll play the victim and treat the OP like a Karen and try to make her out to be the bad driver. (Going off the given narrative of course)

  • Mechz on 23/01/2024 - 17:56
    +1

    Maybe just park a few blocks away and walk your child in.

    If it's not practical then adjust your schedule to suit.

  • JIMB0 on 23/01/2024 - 19:36
    -3

    Got any dashcam footage or is this just another troll post?

  • BrettSh on 24/01/2024 - 09:58
    +1

    Sometimes there is a gain of truth in stereotypes. My work commute involves cycling down Tooronga Rd in Melbourne. There are bike lanes on both sides of the road and a total of 4 schools, I always have my bike lights on.

    That sounds safe right? However, I've had so many close calls in the morning and in one incident suffered a cracked rib. In the majority of these cases, the culprit was driving a German SUV.

    OK, the vehicle in the "cracked rib" incident was a Renault… SUV, but you get the idea.

  • shaybisc on 27/01/2024 - 10:44

    'Charge 'em and they scatter.'

    JRR Tolkien

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