Interesting theory eTim. I drive a car, ride a motorbike (summer only) and cycle, and have noticed a huge difference in other road users attitudes depending what I am on/in.
On my road motorbike people nearly always move over without me having to do anything, which always amazes me, I almost feel guilty.
Thankyou very much!
ON my cycle though, its a whole other story. I have had people actually pull over deliberately to block my path. Sometimes ending in verbal disagreements of which the usual defense is " get in the queue". Amazing as if I was riding my motorbike they would more than likely move over. And for the record I am a confident cyclist and nearly always use lanes as if I was on my motorbike ie down the middle of traffic.
When in the car it is dependant on my vehicle. I once had an Omega estate, which was hilarious as everyone moved over when in lane 2/3 of a motorway instantly as they assumed I was plod. BUT when driving down a normal road people were forever pulling out in front of me, I assume because they associate that type of car with being slow and not wanting to be stuck behind it?
Put me in the van though and it's a different story. Rarely are you cut up and people generally let you in gaps in traffic. There is always the exception to the rule, like mrs 206 driving up the M1 with no eyes yesterday, but hey ho
I did a little experiment too, as I noticed years ago that more people are courteous and aware of me on the road on the motorbike than the car, and on the motorbike I always had my headlights on in daylight. So I started driving with my headlights on in the car/van. Hey presto worked a treat. I now always drive with my lights on in the day.