[DCEite]

Notice the emphasis on "you" in the thread topic. This is to say what is Your individual reaction to bullying by bigger vehicles on road (example, butch looking SUVs, trucks,buses, tempo travellers and so on) on the road. The topic is not on what the general perception is.

How does it affect you ?

Do you give way to a honking larger vehicle in the rear view mirror even if you are on the fastest lane and driving in the upper band of speed limit ?

Do you feel threatned and move leftwards when you see a vehicle larger than your's approaching head on on an undivided road (sometimes, crossing the marked barrier) ?

Do you feel that a larger vehicle(mostly white or black color SUVs) is/must be driven by a Local politician/Gunda/Overnight rich urban villager and you must treat him with certain respect on the road ?

Do you feel you are bullied on the road if you are driving a small car and people "judge" you even on the roads ?


Well, from my personal viewpoint, when I am at the receiving end (driving a small car and a bigger car tries to bully me), I am unaffected for large part, unless its an ambulance or unless there is apparent emergency. I generally do not give way to rowdy SUVs on the rightmost lane, no matter what car I am driving, if I am within the upper band of the speed limit.

Truth be told, the whole concept of "Road presence" and thus, "I am holier than thou" is as much a topic of personal perception, rather than reality.

How do you react as a person to bullying by larger vehicles (compared to yours) on Indian roads ?

[ashis89]

When I am walking or cycling, the delivery guy on a scooter pushes me off the road.

When I driving my hatchback, the person on scooter waits for me to pass through the narrow lane.

When I am driving my crossover, the hatchbacks allow me to move ahead on the highway. They also give more space while crossing narrow streets. But the faster or bigger vehicles demand the same treatment from me. At the same time, the fellow with his black shades and a loud Bullet could block my path and yet, won't tolerate my protest.

The equation changes on the mode of transport or the situation on the road. As long as I know which side of the coin I am, I can adjust and move on.


I gave a very generic response but truth is, we learn to adjust and adapt as per the situation. The 'local' guy could be on his Alto or his bike too and would demand same respect. To confront or to allow is on us and can vary from situation to situation. These days, ordinary guys on Activa also glare and react if you honk at them for blocking the road.

[deathwalkr]

Originally Posted by DCEite

Do you give way to a honking larger vehicle in the rear view mirror even if you are on the fastest lane and driving in the upper band of speed limit ?

Do you feel threatned and move leftwards when you see a vehicle larger than your's approaching head on on an undivided road (sometimes, crossing the marked barrier) ?

Do you feel that a larger vehicle(mostly white or black color SUVs) is/must be driven by a Local politician/Gunda/Overnight rich urban villager and you must treat him with certain respect on the road ?

Do you feel you are bullied on the road if you are driving a small car and people "judge" you even on the roads ?

Yes. It does not matter if I am driving in the upper band of speed limit. Assuming we are talking about highways, I generally drive on the middle lane and let speeders speed on.

Yes. For the sake of my safety I do it. Common sense I would assume.

No. Unless it's a marked Police/Ministerial car.

No.

[Nav-i-gator]

I don't. It's not the size of vehicle that intimidates me, it's the way it is driven that does. Over aggressive and reckless drivers, even if on vehicles smaller than me, make me fearful. I give them way as soon as possible, so that I can continue with my peaceful enjoyable drive thereafter.

[SmartCat]

Similar thread regarding SUVs and bullying/intimidation effect:
https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/stree...h-reality.html (SUVs & the Bullying effect: Myth or Reality?)

[Chetan_Rao]

I do what I was taught to do: always pick the safest available option for me.

If that means I move, I do. If that means I hold my lane, I do.

[Eddy]

Originally Posted by Chetan_Rao

I do what I was taught to do: always pick the safest available option for me.

If that means I move, I do. If that means I hold my lane, I do.

+1.

Always err on the side of caution. No ego in play whatsoever - whether it is a vehicle bigger than mine or a recklessly driven two wheeler.

[rajivr1612]

I give way to following vehicles at the earliest and safest way:
a) Larger or smaller if it's - flashing, honking.
b) All luxury brands.
I drive a humble Etios Liva, I am no match for the above group.

[NomadSK]

Originally Posted by DCEite

Notice the emphasis on "you" in the thread topic. This is to say what is Your individual reaction to bullying by bigger vehicles on road (example, butch looking SUVs, trucks,buses, tempo travellers and so on) on the road. The topic is not on what the general perception is.

How does it affect you ?


How do you react as a person to bullying by larger vehicles (compared to yours) on Indian roads ?

Time for introspection and I realized, I don’t get intimidated by the size of the vehicle, but I do get intimidated by the share recklessness of the drivers on the roads. Be it consistent honking, flashing lights, tailgaiting and simply any dangerous driving. Also, I avoid to have any verbal or non verbal communcaition with the ego-inflated arrogant drivers.

That’s the sole reason I don’t drive in the fast lane anymore, except for overtaking, when needed. This habit took some time to get reflected in my driving, but eventually it was inculcated after putting few years of conscious efforts. Anyway, Most of the high adrenaline action is happening in the fast lane.

I hardly drive in India these days. Hence my perspective is based on driving abroad.

[DicKy]

To preserve myself and my car, I get intimidated even by a small autorickshaw or 2 wheeler if I get a sense that they don't care about a small fender bender. Ofcourse, would give a wide berth to siren/beacon loaded vehicles whatever the case and those with Army plates.

All the above are for self preservation or respect.
But

But there is one that gives me chills and intimidates me, a mere mortal, whenever I see it in my ORVM or see it hurtling at me from the opposite side.

This one!!!

[Oppanna]

I have become Mr.Cool since last couple of years. No matter what, those who want to drive/ride rashly will continue to do so.

Its our responsibility to drive safe not only for us but safe for other road users too..

The moment i see someone fast approaching me on the RVM, i make it a point to make way for them. Never get into any kind of road rage.

By doing this i am less stressed.

[shankar.balan]

When Im in my Cooper I always get bullied by everyone around me. Buses, Lorries, delivery trucks and vans, Autos, Bikes, Cyclists, Pedestrians etc.

Even the otherwise friendly stray dogs go woof at the exhaust note even if Im just burbling along peacefully at low speeds in HSR like Noddy does in Toyland.

Our Bangalore Brothers of Policeman Plod generally stop and ask ‘Saar Maadify Shuft Gaadi Aa Saar?’ And I smile and show them the RC that it is an imported S with a natural growl.

When Im in my Thar people automatically halt or give way. And they are very surprised indeed when I halt and allow them to pass. They look at me in a deeply bewildered manner and keep going, shaking their heads in confusion.

When Im in my Gypsy, they think Im an Officer of the Government and generally have no truck with me at all.

But the stray dogs, they come and mill around, eat the biscuits which I give them and wag their tails.

In India as Ive said before this whole buzz about ‘Road Presence’ is an euphemism for ‘Might is Right’.

[Auto spawn]

Interesting thread!

Coming to the intimidation part, yes it does get intimidating when I’m on the road driving my low-slung sedan. It feels like almost every 4th vehicle is trying to cut me off badly, especially the autorickshaws. They probably think that he’s driving a sedan, it’ll be easier to go ahead of this car and overtake without any effort.
No, I don’t feel bullied by any other bigger White/Black SUV as long as I’m not driving slow in the right lane (which I never do).

When I drive my C-SUV I notice the difference. Auto rickshaws hesitate slightly before making rash cuts, bigger SUV’s don’t bully.

The real bully irrespective of what I’m driving has to be our local buses

[Kosfactor]

Originally Posted by DCEite

Truth be told, the whole concept of "Road presence" and thus, "I am holier than thou" is as much a topic of personal perception, rather than reality.

How do you react as a person to bullying by larger vehicles (compared to yours) on Indian roads ?

Keep your eye on the prize of that travel, perhaps its for a meeting, going on a vacation, taking someone safely somewhere. AC on, Music on, keep a fast pace and enjoy having a silent conversation with your machine.

I`m mostly in a hurry to reach somewhere most of the time, my fight is always with the clock.

[DarthGrrGrr]

Originally Posted by DCEite

How do you react as a person to bullying by larger vehicles (compared to yours) on Indian roads ?

Getting intimidated on Indian roads is becoming an increasingly common scenario. The worsening traffic can easily overwhelm a driver's mind. Few things to remember while dealing with such traffic are:
1. Let them pass if you don't wish to overtake. Such vehicles clear out some clutter and make driving easier for small section of traffic.
2. Use indicators for lane change when dealing with any vehicle. Keep the indicator on until you have successfully steered onto the adjacent lane.
3. Reserve long honking (more than 3 secs) only for unruly drivers who either stall traffic, attempt to cut in your lane without any signal or tend to pick petty fights amidst heavy traffic trailing behind you.
4. Use headlight blinking manoeuvre for traffic from opposite direction attempting to encroach on your lane if you have no space, most won't respond to horns.

Hopw this helps, safe travels