As most of you might know, I have a 1991 Liteace (i.e. the slightly smaller model, compared to a Townace).
I don't know what it is but ever since I've had this vehicle, I have experienced an increased number of incidents, which I can only describe as "not being taken seriously on the road".
Just two examples:
Quite often, other drivers decide to do risky overtaking maneuvres. The most stunning ones are those where cars pull up on my right-hand side at junctions, then race past me in order to take a left turn! If this happens to you once or twice, you may think this is a madman, but to me (here in Bristol) this happens at least once a month (not counting the numerous situations where somebody just cuts into my safety distance and then hits the brakes, I've got used to that by now.)
Second situation:
I am living in an area with narrow streets, where it requires some courtesy for cars to pass each other. You all know the situation
Either you step aside if you see another car coming towards you or you can expect him to do the same if he has a space for passing close by. But not so with me and my Liteace. More than once I have been bullied into reversing dozens if not hundreds of yards. By bullying I mean the other driver pulled right up right in front of my nose shrugging his shoulders as if to say
"Now come on, make some room, do something, I want to get through here."
I am certainly not an aggresive driver, but not an overcautious one either. We all know that our Toyos are not made for racing, but can keep very well with the average flow of traffic. What is it about my car? Does it look too small (perhaps being mistaken for a Bedford Rascal or something similar)? Is it the curtains in my Windows that make me look like a Sunday driver? The colour (silvery gold)? Or the slightly oldfashioned shape of the Liteace's rear end?
You may say I am paranoid and am only imagining this, but I do have witnesses and I have extensive driving experience with other vehicles, among which were:
Ford Fiesta, Nissan Micra, Chysler Voyager - I drove those only for short peroids. Observed nothing unusual.
Morris Minor 1000 - Our second car. A rusty old lady, breaking down every couple of weeks. Still, I feel like a normal road user.
Commer Camper Van - Now this was a big and clunky piece of metal. It felt like driving a city bus, but the amazing thing was, most other drivers treated me like I was driving one! They seemed to be extremely respectful.
Trabant - Yes, my good old Trabbi from East Germany. At one time in the early 90s, these were considered the lowest pieces of junk on Germany's roads (and German drivers can be pretty aggressive). Here in Britain, on the other hand, it is quite a head turner.
Of all these cars, the Liteace is by far the worst when it comes to courtesy from other drivers, although in personal conversations, I often get compliments for the nice car.
Any opinions?
Holger - (#1925) Holger Laux, 21 Jan 02
I concur!! Mine is silver over grey, and is apparently invisible!
People
a. don't see it
b. if they do see it, reckon it's going 20mph slower than it actually is... - (#1926) david miller, 21 Jan 02
The one that gets me every time is, on our road you've got 2 stretches of about 200 yds with residents parked each side so only room for one car through at a time. In the middle is a little junction with about 20 yds of double yellows. When you're at one end and some twat's at the other, it's a real race for the gap - most of the time it ends in a standoff like you describe as both people seem to think they got through the gap first!
I have to say, the Townie is not particularly a victim of this, but a London taxi does make people think twice, specially if you drive it at them like you can't see them.
The other problem is when you want to park in the half-a-car size space outside your house, requiring delicate parallel park manouevre - there's always some teenage crackhead right up your bumper, losing it because he's now got to reverse himself . I generally make sure I've got me indicator on about 500 miles before I want to park, then swing right across the road to make sure he can't squeeze past, then take 10 mins to park like I'm on my first lesson! If he beeps, I then pretend I've stalled and beep back.
All very childish, but satisfying. Perhaps you need a bit of assertiveness coaching (meant kindly - don't come down to Kent and beat me up please).
BTW I learnt to drive in Bristol (took my test on the St Georges circuit, managed to avoid Clifton!), and I think Bristol drivers are possibly the most aggressive and discourteous anywhere except Banbury. London's a piece of cake by comparison. - (#1927) SteveFE, 21 Jan 02
David & Holger,
You have got it absolutely right, these dopey twats seem to sit at a T juction for half a lifetime, then just as you get close to the junction they pull out in front of you, causing you to jump on the brakes, I have now put high power headlamp bulbs, with driving lamps on our Townie, when these buggers do this to me, I virtually climb inside their boot & put the retina burning lamps on.
My wife mentioned this problem of people pulling out in front of her after the first time she drove the Townie, at first I didn't really think about it, but now I see it more & more.
We are in a fortunate position that our Townie accelerates, cruises & brakes really well, so people overtaking doesn't really present a problem, it's just the ones that pull out that wind us up, what do they think it is coming towards them, a plumber's van or something, you would think the skylight roofs would give it away that it is a luxury people mover, not a Bedford Midi van.
Remeber lots of light & a decent set of air horns normally get you noticed.
Regards Rob. - (#1929) Rob Drinkwater, 21 Jan 02
My Townie is dark grey, I have no problem around the village I live in as most people know me,( & what I use to drive like when I was "younger") so they tend to get out of my way,
As for in Town ...well I just get in there & cut them up...
Get your own back on the boring drivers who buy the run of the mill cars !!!
Paul - (#1931) Paul Morgan, 21 Jan 02
Amen, Rob. I've replaced the front fogs with white 35/4w volvo running light bulbs, and keep them on almost all the time. The standard (dual) horns don't do a bad job, unfortunately sounding like an early 70's Datsun Sunny though.
Dayglow stripes front and rear anyone? - (#1934) david miller, 22 Jan 02
I have to say, my experiences are more akin to your's Paul. Size plays an important psychological part on the road, so I tend to bully myself into and out of situations (I learned this years ago from kamikaze bus drivers). Having a higher driving position than cars and having virtually nothing between you and their bumper means you can sit right on top of dozy drivers in a menacing fashion and really put the shits up them until they get out of the way.
Ian - (#1937) Ian Dunse, 22 Jan 02
I can cure you overnight of any lingering doubts that your suffering from paranoia.
Ride a motorcycle for a couple of weeks !
On a bike, no one sees you, and everyone's out to kill or maim you...
After that, driving the Toyota will be a relief. Trust me, I'm a doctor.... - (#1947) Kevin Savage, 23 Jan 02
And I've been a motorcyclist for fifteen years... - (#1949) david miller, 23 Jan 02
I fully agree, as a motorcyclist for the past 17 years they don't see you, and carve you up something rotten, the only saving grace is that you have the power & manoeverability to get out of trouble, unfortunately neither asset is available on the Townace. In the same vein as my earlier post, I mounted a pair of the loudest air hoens you have ever heard on eother side of the radiator on my bike, one blast on those makes even the most dosey woman on the school run jump out of her skin as you give her the one fingered salute as you blast past on the bike. Anyway, we seem to be opening up a bikers forum here, not a Townies. Happy motoring/biking. Regards Rob. - (#1952) Rob Drinkwater, 23 Jan 02
While agressive driving or painstakingly slow reversing Etc; works, it does'nt give use Townie / Liteace drivers a good reputation even though it may work for a particular situation.
Better I think is David Millars idea --- drive with your lights on.
Give us all visibility in other drivers eyes.
We might even start a FAD.
It might make us unique in some respect.
So in future LIGHTS ON.
They might even think its a volvo coming towards them and S***!! I would'nt want to hit a volvo in a bog Std car!! - (#1961) stephen Judge, 25 Jan 02
Sorry Steve, will have to disagree with you on driving in Bristol! After 20 odd years working, driving and motorbiking in London, and then moving to Bristol area 2 yrs ago, the level of driving appears much more relaxed and it was a shock when people actually slowed down at amber lights instead of racing thru them.
But I do agree with the majority of townies not taken seriously on the roads. I have found if I get stuck behind a tractor/horse or funeral, I get overtaken at the earliest opportunity and as they pass get the one fingered salute as if it's my fault there's a 15 mile tail back. But I soon get my own back by sitting on their tailgate and reminding them I am bigger than them!!
By the way, does anyone get flashed or waved at by other townies? We did today at Asda, Longwell Grn, Bristol and wondered if it was anyone on this BoK????
Regards
Barry - (#1967) Barry Powell, 26 Jan 02