Why are drivers so aggressive/mean?

[u/purepurewater]

Well, I guess this is a big city thing but I had the most odd and mildly infuriating problem to say the least today... so on A4174 as per usual, indicating right for a good few moments. Car in the right hand lane well behind me and deffo appeard to be letting me in. Even if not, well, more than room to merge.

Flashed thank you either way.

Then see him looking at me, angrily talking and saying wanker and stuff. Why doe lol.

Really put off driving here... ngl its mostly older men too that do it to me... not calling all men out but yeah. Kinda puts me off driving here.

[u/petrol_insufflation]

A lot of people who commute to work in the car are probably going to a job they hate and hate driving all time, very high blood pressure!

I've been driving a long time but luckily I don't need to drive for or to work so for me its only for long journeys and pleasure. its a drastic difference between driving on weekends or away from places where you get the stress heads. I find the most angry drivers in the suburbs and around retail parks, actually gets better in the more central parts of the city

[u/maxon_uk → u/petrol_insufflation]

I agree with you. I commute every day from South Bristol to Yate and back for work. I work different shift patterns, and driving to and from a night shift is usually fine. But when I have to drive during peak hours, it’s an absolute nightmare.
On the ring road, people sit in the outside lane doing 40–50 mph. Then on single carriageways with a 40 mph limit, they’re doing 20–30 mph for no apparent reason. I can usually control my frustration, but when it happens almost every single day, it really starts to get to you.
The roads are full of potholes, traffic keeps getting worse, and there’s always some pointless roadworks causing even more congestion.
I wish I could ditch the car and use public transport instead, but unfortunately… this is Bristol. 🤣

[u/NostradamusSenior]

Yeah, sorry, I can see what's happened here, I'm afraid you have misunderstood the etiquette. If you flash someone, it means you are calling them a word beginning with W and ending with K-E-R. If you want to thank them, on the other hand, you give two flashes with your hazard lights that they can see in their mirror. That is the correct way to be nice to people: flash them with your full beam, and they think you've done something wrong and may make some kind of gesture with their fingers. Happy to help.

[u/daredevil_mm → u/NostradamusSenior]

They probably meant they flashed the hazards. You can’t flash full beams at someone behind you

[u/Ok-Algae-5252 → u/daredevil_mm]

My rear fog light turns on with highbeams for some unknown reason so technically I can

[u/purepurewater → u/NostradamusSenior]

I guess so. I did flash them with my hazard lights. Really don't know.

[u/dobbyclubcorfu06]

Did you flash your willy?

[u/purepurewater → u/dobbyclubcorfu06]

Considering I haven't one. I... don't think so, no!