More Driver Bastardry on the GDE

Holden Caulfield said :

Jim Jones said :

Holden Caulfield said :

Sounds like clever lateral thinking to me.

Sounds like a selfish asshole to me — someone is getting to their destination (marginally) quicker by being tricky and making others wait longer as a result.

How is that not queue-jumping?

I would have assumed that most people would be in favour of altering Canberra’s road culture for the better: to be more considerate, courteous, and aware of others; by making people more aware that the people in other cars aren’t ‘the enemy’, but actual human beings, instead of the same old selfish bollocks that is so common on the roads.

Seems to me that by calling someone a selfish asshole it is you considering the other road user the enemy, rather than the other way around. I get your point, in this particular instance at Deakin, but really, you go on about not being in a rush and calming down and it doesn’t matter if you get to your destination a bit later. Well, practice what you preach, and so long as the other motorist isn’t breaking any laws, what do you care? Does it really matter if you don’t take the opportunity to get on your soapbox?

Maybe they’re running late for a doctor’s appointment, maybe they want to get a better car parking space, maybe it just doesn’t matter.

So you think it’s okay for people to queue-jump.

With respect, I disagree.

Jim Jones said :

Holden Caulfield said :

Sounds like clever lateral thinking to me.

Sounds like a selfish asshole to me — someone is getting to their destination (marginally) quicker by being tricky and making others wait longer as a result.

How is that not queue-jumping?

I would have assumed that most people would be in favour of altering Canberra’s road culture for the better: to be more considerate, courteous, and aware of others; by making people more aware that the people in other cars aren’t ‘the enemy’, but actual human beings, instead of the same old selfish bollocks that is so common on the roads.

Seems to me that by calling someone a selfish asshole it is you considering the other road user the enemy, rather than the other way around. I get your point, in this particular instance at Deakin, but really, you go on about not being in a rush and calming down and it doesn’t matter if you get to your destination a bit later. Well, practice what you preach, and so long as the other motorist isn’t breaking any laws, what do you care? Does it really matter if you don’t take the opportunity to get on your soapbox?

Maybe they’re running late for a doctor’s appointment, maybe they want to get a better car parking space, maybe it just doesn’t matter.

The_Bulldog said :

I also hate the adversarial nature of driving in Canberra – and I used to carry on like a pork-chop when I saw this kind of thing. Then I realised that by tailgating these clowns and hurling abuse at them I had become part of the problem and not the solution. My advice – take a deep breath and consider whether getting to your destination a minute or two later is worth the added stress before you decide the person who pushed in is really your mortal enemy.

That being said these people still deserve to be lined up and shot with a ball of their own excrement.

I like the deep breath part of this. I mean does it matter that you will get to the next red light a few seconds before the car in front of you?

Jim Jones said :

This morning, there was a big line leading to the coffee machine in my local cafe. I noticed that there was room to the left of the line, so I walked ahead that way and merged into the front of the line. Someone got snippy and accused me of jumping the queue. I just told them that it was ‘incorrect to call it a queue’, it’s actually ‘a line of traffic’.

Good analogy. I think that, anyone who is failing to “get” it, is simply determined to keep pushing ahead in such situations if they think they can get away with it.

There’s no other way to cut it, they think they are more entitled, cleverer, more important than anyone else.

Holden Caulfield said :

Sounds like clever lateral thinking to me.

Sounds like a selfish asshole to me — someone is getting to their destination (marginally) quicker by being tricky and making others wait longer as a result.

How is that not queue-jumping?

I would have assumed that most people would be in favour of altering Canberra’s road culture for the better: to be more considerate, courteous, and aware of others; by making people more aware that the people in other cars aren’t ‘the enemy’, but actual human beings, instead of the same old selfish bollocks that is so common on the roads.

Jim Jones said :

georgesgenitals said :

Good luck with cutting others off, then

+1

This morning, there was a big line leading to the coffee machine in my local cafe. I noticed that there was room to the left of the line, so I walked ahead that way and merged into the front of the line. Someone got snippy and accused me of jumping the queue. I just told them that it was ‘incorrect to call it a queue’, it’s actually ‘a line of traffic’.

Here I was thinking, as individuals, we just wanted to get from A to B in the most convenient and timely manner using a network of roads that are available to us all. If only someone told me that “B” was actually JJ’s precious coffee machine then it would have been much clearer we were all going to the same place and then, yes, it might be more appropriate to form an orderly queue as most would in any other similar context.

Maybe JJ and his ilk, to ease their pointless frustration, can instigate some sort of ticket system for road users, like you might see in a bakery. That way, not only will each road user know when JJ has approved their progression in the queue, but he also has the added fun of telling us all where to go.

I suspect JJ would enjoy that.

Mothy said :

I know this is an old thread but I remembered it yesterday when I saw a stunt on the off ramp from Adelaide Avenue to the Kent Street overpass. For those who don’t use it, the off ramp is wide enough to allow left hand turning drivers in what is often a long queue pull over to the left and allow right hand turning drivers lane split and go up the right hand side.

Although not strictly legal to lane split I have always appreciated the courtesy of most drivers in allowing this. However, yesterday I again saw someone who thought they were clever by turning right, going over the bridge, turning right around at the roundabout (forcing traffic from weston creek to give way) and then travelling back over the bridge forcing those still in the queue to turn left off the off ramp to give way to them also. They obviously thought that no-one realised that they were so smart and will be puzzled or may be even irritated when drivers on the off ramp legally move in to the middle of the lane stopping all right hand turning traffic from lane splitting.

Yep, know the spot. Bastardry at play there is similar – legal, but mean spirited and impolite.

Sounds like clever lateral thinking to me. But what would I know, I’m just a road user too.

lobster nailed this whole storm in a tea cup perfectly with post #39.

If only these single laners back at the original roundabout at hand would actually understand it would be quicker if everyone used the two lanes and merged properly, as the road is designed to be used, rather than forming a queue and leaving a perfectly useable lane empty then we wouldn’t need these silly discussions. It’s really quite comical how absurd this notion is. That so many seemingly mature adults cannot grasp the concept is astounding.

Worse is the assumption that merging is somehow discourteous to other road users. Surely, forming a line of traffic that makes it take longer to get form A to B is more discourteous, haha!

C’est la vie.

georgesgenitals said :

Good luck with cutting others off, then

+1

This morning, there was a big line leading to the coffee machine in my local cafe. I noticed that there was room to the left of the line, so I walked ahead that way and merged into the front of the line. Someone got snippy and accused me of jumping the queue. I just told them that it was ‘incorrect to call it a queue’, it’s actually ‘a line of traffic’.

Br1anL said :

georgesgenitals said :

I don’t think it’s stressful at all. But some people get quite worked up when others tear down a lane and then cut in further up.

If you know that everyone has to merge, it’s generally easier just to drive along in line and let it happen gracefully, rather than fighting for you extra 3 metres. Hence the comment about driving courtesy.

I dont agree that we need to demonstrate behavior which encourages people to get what they want just because (in your words) ” some people get quite worked up “. Because someone gets worked up is not my issue – this is their inability to mange their on emotions.

And as for waiting in the line of traffic (because calling it a queue is incorrect) “rather than fighting for you (sic) extra 3 metres” the traffic queue along the Barton under the GDE work is easily over 500 metres, often closer to 1km – well off the 3 metres you are estimating.

Good luck with cutting others off, then

I know this is an old thread but I remembered it yesterday when I saw a stunt on the off ramp from Adelaide Avenue to the Kent Street overpass. For those who don’t use it, the off ramp is wide enough to allow left hand turning drivers in what is often a long queue pull over to the left and allow right hand turning drivers lane split and go up the right hand side.

Although not strictly legal to lane split I have always appreciated the courtesy of most drivers in allowing this. However, yesterday I again saw someone who thought they were clever by turning right, going over the bridge, turning right around at the roundabout (forcing traffic from weston creek to give way) and then travelling back over the bridge forcing those still in the queue to turn left off the off ramp to give way to them also. They obviously thought that no-one realised that they were so smart and will be puzzled or may be even irritated when drivers on the off ramp legally move in to the middle of the lane stopping all right hand turning traffic from lane splitting.

Yep, know the spot. Bastardry at play there is similar – legal, but mean spirited and impolite.

I decided the woes of the GDE and decided to us William Hovell instead. Sitting on 95 kph in the 90 zone I was abused and flashed for not going fast enough. What the??

Canberra Drivers suck.

I just wish they would make every road everywhere single lane.
Nothing makes me RAGE like getting overtaken by anyone.
I mean FFS I am the best driver in the world – why would anyone need to go faster than me.

I am sick of people going faster than me and not waiting in the exact same line as me.

You would be suprised the amount of people try doing this.

I was driving down Northbourne ave the other day and a bus in front of me stopped to let passengers on/off and the car in front of me simply changed lanes and went around it! I was flabbergasted and consdiered writing a harsh letter to my local member of parliament.
So I did what other people on here do before a form one lane point and parked my car accross all three lanes so that no other cars could go past without waiting in the queue that I was in. Other drivers were swearing at me and honking their horns and one driver even flashed his headlights at me!
My pomeranian named Gweneth that was sitting on my lap at the time was most scared adn I had to drop in to James Court McDoanlds to buy her a Chicken Ceasar wrap to calm her stomach down after the ordeal that others had put her through.

All of this just because people felt it was OK to just “go around” something that was slowing them down.

Gen Y people these days!

georgesgenitals said :

I don’t think it’s stressful at all. But some people get quite worked up when others tear down a lane and then cut in further up.

If you know that everyone has to merge, it’s generally easier just to drive along in line and let it happen gracefully, rather than fighting for you extra 3 metres. Hence the comment about driving courtesy.

I dont agree that we need to demonstrate behavior which encourages people to get what they want just because (in your words) ” some people get quite worked up “. Because someone gets worked up is not my issue – this is their inability to mange their on emotions.

And as for waiting in the line of traffic (because calling it a queue is incorrect) “rather than fighting for you (sic) extra 3 metres” the traffic queue along the Barton under the GDE work is easily over 500 metres, often closer to 1km – well off the 3 metres you are estimating.

Br1anL said :

I don’t know why you think that merging with other traffic is so stressful?

Because its not a simple merge and continue on as you were;

GDE From Palmerston to Mitchell = 80kmph.
GDE from Barton Highway bridge to bridge over Ellenborough Street = 20kmph, or slower.

I do the same thing whenever I have to head down Athllon Drive past Sulwood Drive. As for some weird reason every slow car sits in the right lane of Athllon Drive & always go straight ahead at the Sulwood Drive roundabout. While just about every car in the left lane turn left onto Sulwood Drive. So I exercise the “Keep Left Unless Overtaking” courtesy/law & overtake 10-20 cars at the roundabout.

Br1anL said :

georgesgenitals said :

We know there’s nothing illegal about it. The comment is about exhibiting courteous driving behaviour to make driving in traffic quicker and less stressful for everyone.

I don’t know why you think that merging with other traffic is so stressful?

I don’t think it’s stressful at all. But some people get quite worked up when others tear down a lane and then cut in further up.

If you know that everyone has to merge, it’s generally easier just to drive along in line and let it happen gracefully, rather than fighting for you extra 3 metres. Hence the comment about driving courtesy.

georgesgenitals said :

We know there’s nothing illegal about it. The comment is about exhibiting courteous driving behaviour to make driving in traffic quicker and less stressful for everyone.

I don’t know why you think that merging with other traffic is so stressful?

How’d you go this morning queue’ers?

I suggest you get more violent with your lane defensiveness. Perhaps spontaneously pull out of the left without indicating and cutting off that vile queue jumper or fitting a large spike to the side of your car to ram queue jumpers with.

Br1anL said :

spinact said :

“if you have two lanes merging into one, are you really jumping the queue if use a lane that’s empty? There should really be no difference to the traffic flow if you merge where the lanes actually merge rather than 10, 20 or 30 metres earlier. Actually if everyone did it and everyone merged using a one for one method then traffic flow would improve. But seriously, let some more merge? Guess that’s not going to happen.”

+1 – there is nothing illegal regarding this action! Using the ‘you must queue’ logic this means that all “form one lane” merge intersections we must queue to the left hand side. I cant wait for all you queuers to begin doing this as I will be able to get home so much quicker.

We know there’s nothing illegal about it. The comment is about exhibiting courteous driving behaviour to make driving in traffic quicker and less stressful for everyone.

spinact said :

“if you have two lanes merging into one, are you really jumping the queue if use a lane that’s empty? There should really be no difference to the traffic flow if you merge where the lanes actually merge rather than 10, 20 or 30 metres earlier. Actually if everyone did it and everyone merged using a one for one method then traffic flow would improve. But seriously, let some more merge? Guess that’s not going to happen.”

+1 – there is nothing illegal regarding this action! Using the ‘you must queue’ logic this means that all “form one lane” merge intersections we must queue to the left hand side. I cant wait for all you queuers to begin doing this as I will be able to get home so much quicker.

Mothy said :

With the GDE, we’re talking a queue of cars hundreds of meters long, that’s there every morning. Merging 10, 20, or 30 meters earlier is still queue jumping. Get in the right hand lane, take your place in the queue, and leave the left for those going to Civic via the Barton Highway.

What are you? Crazy? You must be lost!

(The comment above sounded like courteous driving).

JC said :

Now saw something similar to this yesterday at the Kings Ave underpass road works. Everyone had managed to form an orderly polite single line of cars in anticipation, but a Mazda 3 decided he was more important and moved from the line to overtake everyone. A work van futher down saw this and moved into the centre of the lane to stop the car, but alas the Mazda driver was even smarter and decided to put two wheels off the road to go round and get, oh 2 cars further ahead. Just plain stupidity.

When I did my advanced motorcyle riding course, the instructors really hammered home the idea of ‘owning’ your lane and having road presence. Their arguement — and one with which I wholeheartedly concur — is that sitting meekly off to the left on a two lane road will get you simply mushed by imbeclies ‘squeezing’ past you.

That’s why, anywhere that these ‘form one lane’ points occur, I take every opportunity to make sure that an orderly merging occurs well before the squeeze point proper. Occupying the middle ‘lane’ and blocking early is the safest approach to this. If also that means I have to make life difficult / risky for muppets like Mr (or Ms) Mazda 3 by placing my vehicle as our tradie mate in the above example did, then I will happily, safely and assertively do so. The motorcycling philosophy of lane ownership and road presence applies equally if you’re in a car and my motorsport experience can make even my smallest car really, um, ‘wide’ and presenting as a challenge / ‘risk’ to get past.

The_Bulldog said :

I also hate the adversarial nature of driving in Canberra – and I used to carry on like a pork-chop when I saw this kind of thing. Then I realised that by tailgating these clowns and hurling abuse at them I had become part of the problem and not the solution. My advice – take a deep breath and consider whether getting to your destination a minute or two later is worth the added stress before you decide the person who pushed in is really your mortal enemy.

That being said these people still deserve to be lined up and shot with a ball of their own excrement.

Same. While I always notice it, I simply can’t be bothered getting pissed off about dangerous and selfish behaviour in most cases.

Although I take great delight in pointing out when this type of thing fails. Like when people cut through the tennis centre carpark on Ellenborough Street. Not only is it rude, dangerous and illegal to speed through a carpark – I think the success rate is only about 50%, giving you plenty of time to slow down and offer a piece of your mind as they are forced to wait to get back on to the main road.

Davo111 said :

map location correct?

Yep, its the GDE off Ramp, southbound, at Gininderra Drive that people were driving straight over.

Bluey said :

If I was at Woolies and in a queue, and the checkout next to me opened why would I stay in the queue I am in? Theres a faster way thats not breaking any rules.

Trouble is Bluey, the checkout is the end point of that queuing experience. Once you’re through, its done, and all shoppers move independently. The GDE presents a different story – at the end point of the bastard act, you rejoin the “queue” on a slow moving road. Imagine a (ridiculous) scene where two checkouts passed the groceries along to one guy doing the job of bagging them up.

Besides, agree with those who point out that in the checkout scenario, it’s still polite to offer those in front at the initial checkout to move across in front of you first.

spinact said :

………..if you have two lanes merging into one, are you really jumping the queue if use a lane that’s empty? There should really be no difference to the traffic flow if you merge where the lanes actually merge rather than 10, 20 or 30 metres earlier.

With the GDE, we’re talking a queue of cars hundreds of meters long, that’s there every morning. Merging 10, 20, or 30 meters earlier is still queue jumping. Get in the right hand lane, take your place in the queue, and leave the left for those going to Civic via the Barton Highway.

spinact said :

Actually if everyone did it and everyone merged using a one for one method then traffic flow would improve.

Nope, it wouldn’t.

First, the left hand lane would queue for no reason, holding up people going to Civic via Barton Highway.

Second, the GDE is single lane from that point forward, and the traffic coming onto that single, solid line (particularly at the on-ramp southbound for traffic from the Barton Highway, where politeness does reign and one-for-one merging does take place) means it is already traveling at 20-40kmph, if not stop/start.

It is the same from the south going up toward the Belco/ Aranda off ramp. Two lanes merge into one, I fail to see where “queue jumping” comes into the equation. Where exactly should we the merge? If everyone should select the right lane, there will be a queue as far back as Casey, or Tuggers.

arescarti42 said :

I’ve always wondered about those people that race from the back of the queue at woolies to a new checkout to beat the others in the queue.

I’ve had people do this to me twice. On both occasions, a tap on the shoulder and a “hey mate, we were waiting before you” caused both offenders to just about shit themselves and scurry off to the back of the line.” Whilst that sort of douchbaggery might work when you’re safe in the anonymity of your car, it’s not so easy when people can actually see and talk to you.

As for people cutting in line on the road, my advice is to just forget about it. The reality is a lot of people are total assholes, there’s nothing you can do about it, so it’s not worth stressing over. When the traffic is moving that slowly, you’d be lucky to shave off 30 seconds from your commute by jumping the queue anyway.

Just turn on the radio and try to not let it bother you.

+1

Is it really worth the hassle of raising the blood pressure for a number deadsh!?s who think they’re cooler than the next bloke by doing this? Take a deep breath, hit the volume on the wireless and belt out your fav lyrics. Forgotten.

They have been doing this for years on the off ramp of Tuggeranong Pwky onto Hindmarsh Drive toward Woden Plaza at the lights at the bottom of off ramp. The cops patrolled randomlly for a while but gave up years ago. Unless you can convince the uniform to get down there and police it, you are better off keeping your calm, and laughing them (qeue jumpers) off when you catch up at the next lights.

“shot with a ball of their own excrement.”

That’s mental image that will stay with me for a while.

I dislike queue jumpers………….but………..if you have two lanes merging into one, are you really jumping the queue if use a lane that’s empty? There should really be no difference to the traffic flow if you merge where the lanes actually merge rather than 10, 20 or 30 metres earlier. Actually if everyone did it and everyone merged using a one for one method then traffic flow would improve. But seriously, let some more merge? Guess that’s not going to happen.

There are 2 equal lanes just before the “merge lane” sign. If you can clearly see a lane with no cars and decide to stick to the lane with 100 cars lined up I’d call you stupid.

Speaking of Merge Lanes, Canberra is bloody big enough for NO SUCH MERGES to exist. Every single thoroughfare should be 2 lanes either way, and since nobody can drive in roundabouts around here, install some traffic lights!

during peak hour, I counted the cars going South over Barton Hwy, on the GDE. 12 cars per minute.

I’ve always wondered about those people that race from the back of the queue at woolies to a new checkout to beat the others in the queue.

I’ve had people do this to me twice. On both occasions, a tap on the shoulder and a “hey mate, we were waiting before you” caused both offenders to just about shit themselves and scurry off to the back of the line.” Whilst that sort of douchbaggery might work when you’re safe in the anonymity of your car, it’s not so easy when people can actually see and talk to you.

As for people cutting in line on the road, my advice is to just forget about it. The reality is a lot of people are total assholes, there’s nothing you can do about it, so it’s not worth stressing over. When the traffic is moving that slowly, you’d be lucky to shave off 30 seconds from your commute by jumping the queue anyway.

Just turn on the radio and try to not let it bother you.

Mothy, this exactly is a big frustration of mine too…. they always seem to think they’re just being really smart and no one else has thought of it! It’s not only very rude, but often blocks off the traffic taking the Barton Drive exit, so it’s just making this worse for everyone.

I try really hard just to focus on how courteous everyone in the right lane is being so I don’t go completely crazy!

My other bug-bear leaving from Gungahlin is heading onto Northbourne Ave / Federal Highway from Flemington Road; where the left lane is strictly only for taxis and buses. There’s always a few who zoom up the left lane and then try to get back in the right lane at the top to turn at the traffic lights. I find this even worse than the GDE issue, because not only are they being really rude, they are also completely disregarding the law because of their own percieved self-importance.

housebound said :

One day, the people on the other end will work it out and not let you in. And then what?

They’ll run into my wife who has been sitting in the right lane for 30 minutes.

The last lassie which did that got a two minute tirade in Scots and fist waving.

Bluey said :

GBT said :

Bluey, I think you just proved EvanJames’ point.

Not only do you think you’re more important, you think you’re smarter and it just hasn’t occurred to everyone else to use both lanes.

No I dont think im smarter. I just question why no one else does it when its legal and faster?

If I was at Woolies and in a queue, and the checkout next to me opened why would I stay in the queue I am in? Theres a faster way thats not breaking any rules.

I wont have the opportunity to try out sitting in a massive queue for no reason. Ive bought a push bike it gets me to Civic from my home 20 mins (there it is again) faster than driving either GDE or Flemington road. Enjoy being polite in your queue on gungahlin drive 🙂

Actually this behaviour at roadworks slows everyone else down and contrinutes to the problem. If you can see a lane is closed then move the hell across in a good safe time. Hurling past and then barging in just causes everyone you have barged past to slow down.

As for the wollies analogy your one of the people that I hate there too. New lane opens so you run to get their first. Wheras someone with some common courtosey may well ask those that are in front to go first as they have been waiting longer.

Actually guess that’s what it gets back to, not if it’s right or wrong according to the law, but curtosey to all the others that are in the exact SAME situation.

Now saw something similar to this yesterday at the Kings Ave underpass road works. Everyone had managed to form an orderly polite single line of cars in anticipation, but a Mazda 3 decided he was more important and moved from the line to overtake everyone. A work van futher down saw this and moved into the centre of the lane to stop the car, but alas the Mazda driver was even smarter and decided to put two wheels off the road to go round and get, oh 2 cars further ahead. Just plain stupidity.

One day, the people on the other end will work it out and not let you in. And then what?

GBT said :

Bluey, I think you just proved EvanJames’ point.

Not only do you think you’re more important, you think you’re smarter and it just hasn’t occurred to everyone else to use both lanes.

No I dont think im smarter. I just question why no one else does it when its legal and faster?

If I was at Woolies and in a queue, and the checkout next to me opened why would I stay in the queue I am in? Theres a faster way thats not breaking any rules.

I wont have the opportunity to try out sitting in a massive queue for no reason. Ive bought a push bike it gets me to Civic from my home 20 mins (there it is again) faster than driving either GDE or Flemington road. Enjoy being polite in your queue on gungahlin drive 🙂

Bluey – I’m guessing you’re being sarcastic but I’ll bite just in case you’re not. As far as I can tell, Kel is not doing anything wrong. She/he is not speeding and it is their choice to drive slower than the speed limit, particularly since they are driving defensively in preparation for what’s ahead on the road. And I can’t believe that this particular “stunt” saves you 20 minutes (or do you pull other similar capers on your journey). Perhaps one day you should actually drive like all of the “sheep” and “brainless” souls and compare your travel time.

+1

No laws are being broken, what’s the problem? If you can’t beat them…. join them

Bluey, I think you just proved EvanJames’ point.

Not only do you think you’re more important, you think you’re smarter and it just hasn’t occurred to everyone else to use both lanes.

kel said :

I tend to pull into the other lane when I see these people coming and stay in line with the cars I was in front and behind previously. I don’t suppose you could really use this technique with merge lanes and people skipping through the exit/entry lanes though…

So youre one of THOSE people… Far out get a clue. People like you cause accidents because of your self righteous “I was here first” mentality. Theres two lanes. Use them! its not pre-school where lining up in order will get you a pat on the head. There is a FORM ONE LANE its perfectly acceptable to use both of them. Shock horror! you use the… left lane…O_o

Continue to line up with the rest of the sheep. I will enjoy cutting 60 or so cars and about 20 minutes off my drive by using the whole road.

EvanJames said :

I hate this kind of behaviour with a passion. The scum who do it feel they are more important than other people.

No. We dont, but we’re not sheep who think its ‘rude’ to use two lanes of a two lane road.

If canberrans actually had a brain when it came to merging it wouldnt be an issue… but I digress. The daily shmozzle that is the GDE continues to undermine my faith in our driver training system.

I also hate the adversarial nature of driving in Canberra – and I used to carry on like a pork-chop when I saw this kind of thing. Then I realised that by tailgating these clowns and hurling abuse at them I had become part of the problem and not the solution. My advice – take a deep breath and consider whether getting to your destination a minute or two later is worth the added stress before you decide the person who pushed in is really your mortal enemy.

That being said these people still deserve to be lined up and shot with a ball of their own excrement.

map location correct?

I continue to enjoy the people coming back from the coast on a busy holiday who, being in a line of about 50 cars, insist on overtaking one car at a time until after an hour of intense driving they manage to be 25 cars ahead of where they would otherwise have been (ie about 150m).

Then they get stuck in the traffic jam entering Braidwood just like everyone else (appropos – why does Braidwood create such a hold up when Bungendore doesnt?)

I hate this kind of behaviour with a passion. The scum who do it feel they are more important than other people.

In Queanbeyan on Yass Road of a morning, you see it as the huge line of cars approaches the overhead railway bridge (we’d love to be doing 20km/hr, usually the whole line is stationary, right through to Fairbairn). There’s a left lane that terminates at the Gazebo-style hotel. but you see cars leaping into it, so they can move ahead of the people in the permanent lane on the right, and then forcing their way back into the line when the left lane terminates.

This of course leads to all the traffic having to stop rather than flowing along slowly.

What goes on in the mind of someone who does rat-like acts such as this? Do they think that all the other people are stupid and they are smarter?

Personally I think it’s ridiculous. Who are these people that they think they’re so much better than everyone else who waits in line? If you know there’s going to be traffic delays then LEAVE THAT MUCH EARLIER. If you were caught unawares, then thems the breaks sometimes. I see it every morning and afternoon on Majura Road at the two roundabouts where the road splits into two lanes before each roundabout and then merges back into one lane on the other side. Most people stick to the inside lane southbound and the outside lane northbound, but you always get the people who try to overtake as many cars as possible and then push in further ahead. I tend to pull into the other lane when I see these people coming and stay in line with the cars I was in front and behind previously. I don’t suppose you could really use this technique with merge lanes and people skipping through the exit/entry lanes though…

The same thing happens on the Barton highway heading out of town when the right lane is closed at the GDE bridge. I saw this a few times and now I do it every day on my way home. I skip heaps of cars it’s great!! I get the odd dirty look or flash of head lights but I don’t really care. Just as long as I get home that precious 30 seconds earlier :o)

Oh and thanks to your other post, I live in Palmerston and now cut through Crace every morning too. That’s a great little trick :o)

Now let the flaming begin. lol

Hate queue jumpers………………………….period!