White Van Man

Subject: White Van Man(BS)
From: Roger the zimmer
Date: 09 Aug 99 - 09:30 AM

We've mentioned these on various threads to the mystification of those outside UK. One of today's papers lists them as the number one road user's pet hate and says:
White Van Man's crimes and misdemeanors include driving within a few millimetres of the car in front, honking at the sight of bare legs (particularly female ones) and not waiting before turnig right at traffic lights.
Psychological assessment: Tend to be young, male, self-emloyed and subject to time pressures."
So now you know, back to the red/grey Cortinas![any songs for blue rusting Metros?]

Subject: RE: White Van Man
From: bbc
Date: 09 Aug 99 - 09:51 AM

Thanks, Roger. I didn't realize the significance of white vans in the UK until I mentioned the naming a group of white vans thread to Bill Sables. Here in the US, a pet peeve is SUV's (sport utility vehicles). They tend to be bullies on the road & drive over the lines, thoroughly intimidating (&, thereby, enraging) those of us driving small, fuel-efficient vehicles. Oh for a time & place when all would be safe & considerate on the roads!

bbc (venting)

Subject: RE: White Van Man
From: bbc
Date: 09 Aug 99 - 09:52 AM

P.S.--Red cars have a reputation for driving too fast & recklessly (though most drivers seem to be doing that, lately!).

Subject: RE: White Van Man
From: Jeri
Date: 09 Aug 99 - 10:42 AM

HEY! I drive a red car, and I don't drive like that. I think a lot of red car drivers are extra careful because there's this opinion that cops are just waiting to pop us.

I've been aggressivley tailgated by drivers only to finally meet them in a parking lot or store. Sweet, gentle folks who smile a lot.

Subject: RE: White Van Man
From: bbc
Date: 09 Aug 99 - 11:59 AM

Exceptions to every stereotype. No offence intended, as you know!

bbc

Subject: RE: White Van Man
From: Jeri
Date: 09 Aug 99 - 01:04 PM

No offence taken :-) I don't drive agressively, but I'm not always very nice to listen to. Every now and then I forget when the windows are rolled down...

Subject: RE: White Van Man
From: katlaughing
Date: 09 Aug 99 - 01:47 PM

I've heard red car owners pay higher insurance rates because red cars are involved in a higher rate of accidents. Maybe it's like a bull...when we all see "red" that causes their involvement?**BG**

Can't say I've ever seen a red/grey Cortina, but I owned a green one. Loved it but it never ran very well.

Out here it's either the SUVs, bbc mentioned, and/or pickup trucks> Damn they DO tailgate, intimidate, etc. I always help them on their way by going the slow speed limit and inviting them to go around me. They are really obnoxious!

kat

Subject: RE: White Van Man
From: bbc
Date: 09 Aug 99 - 02:30 PM

Duane has a terrible time around here. He feels a moral/spiritual commitment to drive within the speed limit & that enrages many people. He tries to stay out of their way, but is a regular recipient of wild gestures & colorful language, as well as being practically driven off the road. It's a sad commentary on society.

Subject: RE: White Van Man
From: annamill
Date: 09 Aug 99 - 03:00 PM

Jeri, I had an old busdriver friend of mine tell me that the most dangerous driver on the road was a little girl in a small red sports car. ;-) He was always extra careful in his 40 ft bus when he saw one. **BG** NOI

Love, annap

Subject: RE: White Van Man
From: CarlZen
Date: 09 Aug 99 - 03:52 PM

Except for the white van part, they sound like half the drivers in Southern California.

Subject: RE: White Van Man
From: katlaughing
Date: 09 Aug 99 - 06:14 PM

And I thought half the drivers in Southern California were HERE (WY)!!!(tongue firmly in cheek!)

Subject: RE: White Van Man
From: CarlZen
Date: 10 Aug 99 - 01:10 AM

No, 3/4 of the drivers in SoCal wish they were tHERE (WY) (cheeks firmly planted on the driver's seat in the freeway traffic.)

Subject: RE: White Van Man
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 10 Aug 99 - 08:39 PM

They say your true personality comes out when you're behind the steering wheel. Check out whether you sit upright and alert or slumped apathetically over the wheel, drive aggressively or follow the rules and the signs, notice the things you pass or arrive at the destination by surprise!

I don't know about those SUV/pickup truck generalizations. We went from a Bronco to a Ford pickup, and don't intimidate too many people. And my last car was a small red thing, altho that is now driven by my teenage son, and we all KNOW how they drive...

Around Connecticut, we complain about the "crazy Rhode Island drivers who must have gotten their license by mail-order." When I lived in Colorado, we used to bash the Texans who "owned the roads." Maybe it's always the other guy.

Subject: RE: White Van Man
From: katlaughing
Date: 11 Aug 99 - 07:27 PM

BarbaraS: when we lived in Mystic, it was the New Yorkers we complained about!

While growing up in Colorado, we used to tell the Texans who vacationed there, that if we flattened out Colorado, it would be bigger than Texas! Kinda took the wind out of their sails.

kat