A motorist yelled at me today. I was crossing a street illegally against a flashing red man. However, it should have been quite safe to do so as turns from the cross street are banned, with flashing no left turn and no right turn lights. I hesitated as I was half way across as from the corner of my eye I saw a threat. A car was illegally turning right. I turned around to him and held the palm of my hand upright, to suggest what was he doing? The left hand passenger window came down and I received a mouthful of abuse.
It's funny how people react when they are challenged over something they are doing wrong. They abuse the accuser when the person himself or herself have done the wrong thing. My illegal crossing inconvenienced no one and was quite safe. He had traffic banked up behind him as he waited to make the illegal turn.
Does abusing an accuser mean anything to you? It can often be political tactic.
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Ugh...
ReplyDeleteDarla, it was such vitriol from the driver for something so minor.
DeleteIt is indeed often a political tactic. And sets my hackles up. How did you react to the abuse?
ReplyDeleteI ignored it EC. I made my point. Nothing more to add.
DeleteIt is quite disconcerting sometimes, to be on the receiving end of that "lash out to avoid admitting guilt" response. A bullying tactic I feel.
ReplyDeleteJayCee, very much bullying.
DeleteI am grateful that our politicians would never stoop to such tactics. There was a time when I would have stopped dead in the middle of the street and given him an earful right back. I just don't have the heart for it anymore. I just am tired of all the mad in this world.
ReplyDeleteDebby, yes, quite so about your ever so decent politicians. I don't normally do things like that.....ah, well, I do actually.
DeleteIf I scream loud enough and angrily enough it means I did nothing wrong and the fault is all yours; or so they think.
ReplyDeleteYes Bob, like if you sound your car horn long enough at someone, they are the guilty person.
DeleteCars should always give way to pedestrians full stop. All the road rules are out of windows these days.
ReplyDeleteIn nsw it is actually the law to give way to pedestrians. We usually only give way on crossings but we are lawfully obliged to give way at any time or place
DeleteI agree with Bob. Anger control is harder to achieve for some men than is avoiding illegal turns.
ReplyDeleteHels, there are some stereotypes about angry men perhaps under 35, and in my opinion, they do kind of fit the stereotype.
DeleteI would have just finished crossing a bit faster and hoped a traffic camera caught him making the illegal turn.
ReplyDeleteI wish River. The illegal turning used to be policed. I haven't seen anyone pulled up for years. It's at our local shops where I am two or three times a week.
DeleteQuite a lot of that around at present as a political tactic.
ReplyDeleteIn this case you were in the wrong too, though he wasn't entitled to complain about it. But I suppose if he was turning illegally he already felt pretty entitled.
Oh dear, that comes right back to the political tactic. Say no more here.
MC, I was being sensible, even though crossing illegally. His illegal act delayed cars and caused me concern. I would hope Your Honour would take a common sense view.
DeleteSo you met a Karen then. I would just ignore them, they were doing the wrong thing and pity a law enforcer hadn't been there right at that time.
ReplyDeleteMargaret, haha, yes I did. Police are 'directing resources to where they are most needed for the safety of road users'.
DeleteWhat do they say about ‘two wrongs not making a right’! Sounds like both of you were as bad as each other…..no matter how each of you felt😊
ReplyDeleteCathy, I was not bad at all. I affected no one aside from the illegal turner. He affected maybe five drivers, and me.
DeleteMost unpleasant and leaves a nasty taste in the mouth.
ReplyDeleteJB, as I am still writing about it, it isn't something I've forgotten but it was no big deal to me. Probably not for him either, but he may have a second thought before he makes his next illegal turn.
DeleteTry not to get run over.
ReplyDeleteI do, frequently and often.
DeleteWas he in a SUV? Or maybe a Tesla?
ReplyDeleteIf you already mentioned the vehicle, I'm sorry. I'm "multitasking"
Yes Kylie, a black SUV. He had a coarse new Australian Middle Eastern accent.
DeleteHe probably knew he was doing the wrong thing and was trying to cover his butt by making everything YOUR fault.
ReplyDeleteFor sure Steve.
DeleteIn this country you probably would have been shot, Andrew. There are so many road rage incidents.
ReplyDeleteYes Strayer, I believe jaywalking is quite heavily policed in your country.
DeleteOdd that. As these eejits usually just hurl abuse at women as they're basically cowards.. I've called out men for terrible behaviour and have had my life threatened.
ReplyDeleteThe entitlement of these a-holes is breathtaking and I am so glad he don't mow you down in a fit of rage.
XO
WWW
WWW, I made sure I was past the point where he could do that. Those exerting power over who they see as lesser or weaker is something I've really been noticing of late.
DeleteI tend to lose my temper and give it back to them. Not always a good thing to do.
ReplyDeletePat, that is not my style. I just throw a grenade and run away.
DeleteInteresting thoughts Andrew which are applicable to politics are they?
ReplyDeleteAn age old political tactic, Cloudia.
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