Slowsters -- the fastest growing danger?
Discussion
There are a few people who believe that speed kills. No really there are. And the trouble is they are joining the ranks of 40mph HGVs* on our s/c roads causing often tens of nose to tail followers.
When you get a few tailgaters in the line who don't want to leave enough space for those with ambition to thread their way past, you get frustration related dangerous overtaking.
Are there any studies being made into the impact of this behaviour into the number of people being killed on our roads? I believe this is another of the ways the "speed kills" mantra is sending more of us to the morgue.
SM
*Yes I know it's the speed limit.
When you get a few tailgaters in the line who don't want to leave enough space for those with ambition to thread their way past, you get frustration related dangerous overtaking.
Are there any studies being made into the impact of this behaviour into the number of people being killed on our roads? I believe this is another of the ways the "speed kills" mantra is sending more of us to the morgue.
SM
*Yes I know it's the speed limit.
Maybe doing something about the HGV's hoggin up a lot of our roads might be a step in the right direction. After all its much easier to overtake a small corsa doing 30 than overtake a huge 40ft HGV on the same country b-road.
I figure this comes back to our railway system being naff.
I figure this comes back to our railway system being naff.
Indeed. But it's just as hard to overtake the 45 nose-to-tail cars following that Corsa as it is when they're behind the HGV.
Fact is, the Corsa just like the nutter in his rocketship shouldn't be on the road unless he can drive at an appropriate speed. And I'm reckoning there are far more of those 30mph Corsas than nutters from what I'm seeing on the roads, and the numbers are growing.
SM
Fact is, the Corsa just like the nutter in his rocketship shouldn't be on the road unless he can drive at an appropriate speed. And I'm reckoning there are far more of those 30mph Corsas than nutters from what I'm seeing on the roads, and the numbers are growing.
SM
supermono said:
Indeed. But it's just as hard to overtake the 45 nose-to-tail cars following that Corsa as it is when they're behind the HGV.
Fact is, the Corsa just like the nutter in his rocketship shouldn't be on the road unless he can drive at an appropriate speed. And I'm reckoning there are far more of those 30mph Corsas than nutters from what I'm seeing on the roads, and the numbers are growing.
SM
I don't think there is anything wrong with driving slow, only yesterday my wife had her first car, and she was happily driving around between 20-30mph in 40mph zones, it would have been dangerous to force her to speed up (especially with children in car).
Quite unusual to see a convoy of people who all drive offensively slow though.
Driving slowly is not the problem, it's the inconsiderate or clueless people who think that because they won't or can't go faster that no one else should.
If you are in a vehicle that acts like a rolling road block then be aware if you are holding someone up and let them by. Tractor drivers do this regularly, but unfortunately there is a large number of drivers who seem to believe that they are somehow contributing to road safety by preventing people overtaking.
If you are in a vehicle that acts like a rolling road block then be aware if you are holding someone up and let them by. Tractor drivers do this regularly, but unfortunately there is a large number of drivers who seem to believe that they are somehow contributing to road safety by preventing people overtaking.
Tank Slapper said:
Driving slowly is not the problem, it's the inconsiderate or clueless people who think that because they won't or can't go faster that no one else should.
If you are in a vehicle that acts like a rolling road block then be aware if you are holding someone up and let them by. Tractor drivers do this regularly, but unfortunately there is a large number of drivers who seem to believe that they are somehow contributing to road safety by preventing people overtaking.
Totally agree with that, its worse on motorways when you get fast-lane idiots who drive at 70mph to stop others from 'breaking the law'.
I haven't seen many people complain about lorries that overtake while both doing 39.9 and 40.0 MPH respectively. The A1 in West->South yorkshire is terrible for this in parts.
>> Edited by scorp on Wednesday 27th July 12:59
Don't have a problem with HGVs they generally go as fast as they can given load/engine limits. I also don't mind our roads being clogged up with HGVs they are doing something useful (unlike empty buses) and pay thousands of £ in road tax every year. What annoys me is the holier than thou 10mph under the seed limit tossposts and the tosspots who follow them not daring to overtake! Slow drivers are a bloody menace, virtually every car made in the last 30 years can keep up with traffic. If you don't feel comfortable with the prevailing speed of the traffic then take a bus (there's plenty of room on them!)
I think the biggest problem here aren't the numpties who drive too slowly, or even the lemmings that follow them blindly, flatly refusing to overtake. No, the biggest problem is when the aforementioned lemmings deliberately close up the gap between them and the car in front to make life difficult for anyone having the temerity to attempt to overtake. This is extremely dangerous, and when you do manage to squeeze your way back in front of them, you are invariably subjected to a barrage of flashing lights, honking horns and waved fists. These dispicable wastes of oxygen really need slapping around the face with a wet kipper!
Yup, all it takes is one numpty going slow, and then two more people who don't care how fas they go or are too scared to overtake, and you suddenly have 3-4 cars going 40mph in a national.
Add a few normal drivers in 1.6 Foci or whatever, and can't overtake safely then you have a rolling road block.
All it takes is for the lead car to slow down and stop to let the pack past, but no they carry on, and the several numpties behind continue on their way!
This kinda thing happens LOTS from Settle to Kirby Lonsdale during summer at weekends. Like a guy with a caravan going 30-40mph with about 50 cars following. PULL OVER FOR 5 MINS YOU TW4T!
Yes they are a danger, especially when you go to take 4 or 5 out of the queue and the people see fit to block you off, acting about 1000 times more dangerously than your otherwise safe manouvre!
Dave
Add a few normal drivers in 1.6 Foci or whatever, and can't overtake safely then you have a rolling road block.
All it takes is for the lead car to slow down and stop to let the pack past, but no they carry on, and the several numpties behind continue on their way!
This kinda thing happens LOTS from Settle to Kirby Lonsdale during summer at weekends. Like a guy with a caravan going 30-40mph with about 50 cars following. PULL OVER FOR 5 MINS YOU TW4T!
Yes they are a danger, especially when you go to take 4 or 5 out of the queue and the people see fit to block you off, acting about 1000 times more dangerously than your otherwise safe manouvre!
Dave
Totally agree with Mr soprendo above - its particularly a problem up here where most roads are single-lane A-roads and queues of multiple nose-to-tail morons build up well into double figures, not one leaving a gap to pull in. It was this which FORCED me to buy a car capable of ridiculous acceleration (up to 60 m'laud) so I can overtake 17 of them in one go.
Funny thing I notice is that once I do it, others start overtaking as well, makes them realise there is life outside that queue.
Funny thing I notice is that once I do it, others start overtaking as well, makes them realise there is life outside that queue.
scorp said:
...only yesterday my wife had her first car, and she was happily driving around between 20-30mph in 40mph zones, it would have been dangerous to force her to speed up....
If this is true then - no offence intended - she should not be driving at all. If you are not confident / able enough to flow with the rest of the traffic then you are a danger to yourself and others; this is fundamentally the point thats being made.
trackdemon said:
scorp said:
...only yesterday my wife had her first car, and she was happily driving around between 20-30mph in 40mph zones, it would have been dangerous to force her to speed up....
If this is true then - no offence intended - she should not be driving at all. If you are not confident / able enough to flow with the rest of the traffic then you are a danger to yourself and others; this is fundamentally the point thats being made.
She wasn't holding up traffic, as cars were able to overtake easily (im talking suburban areas here, not the M1, or some snaking B-road).
Were is the danger in driving 20-30mph in a 40mph zone ?
Also another factor was the fact she has no sense of direction on our local roads at all, and thus, she has to familiarise herself with the layout.
I have yet to see a just passed driver who drives with the confidence and control of say a driver who has been driving for more than two years (like me
). I remember when i first passed my test, and i was too scared to attempt to light a cigarette since all my concentration was on driving the car. After a few months, i was able to multitask as good as the next man.
Exactly how are drivers supposed to get experience if they are not allowed on the roads in the first place to gain said experience ?
>> Edited by scorp on Wednesday 27th July 15:52
danohagan said:
Agree with the last post - if a driver is unable to keep pace with the rest of the traffic, they're a danger and a liability on the roads.
That is a ridiculous statement. If you find it such a problem to deal with people driving slower than you, then maybe the problem doesn't lie with them!
It might be frustrating, but it isn't dangerous.
Just wonder if this 'problem' is linked to other discussions regarding lack of posting of the speed limits signs. Also I reckon drivers on 9 points following being gatso'ed are shi**ing themselves in the Q thinking is that a police car in plain colthes in front? Dunno just a thought.
I've been posting on here for some time, but I don't think I've ever seen such a load of selfish codswallop before.
The posters here seem to feel it their right to drive at 20 mph (say) over the posted limit at all times, but if someone who is not in a hurry chooses to drive at 20 mph below the limit then they are deemed a a 'numpty', or worse.
For goodness sake, let's show a bit of tolerance here and stop this attitude that if you don't want to drive very quickly and have the ability to do so then you have no rights to be on the road. Go quickly when you can, go slowly when you can't, and show tolerance to others. Everyone has the right to the use of the roads. If others should not be selfish and self-centered, then nor should you or I. This 'King-of-the-Road' attitude is not good for anyone.
The posters here seem to feel it their right to drive at 20 mph (say) over the posted limit at all times, but if someone who is not in a hurry chooses to drive at 20 mph below the limit then they are deemed a a 'numpty', or worse.
For goodness sake, let's show a bit of tolerance here and stop this attitude that if you don't want to drive very quickly and have the ability to do so then you have no rights to be on the road. Go quickly when you can, go slowly when you can't, and show tolerance to others. Everyone has the right to the use of the roads. If others should not be selfish and self-centered, then nor should you or I. This 'King-of-the-Road' attitude is not good for anyone.
cooperman said:
I've been posting on here for some time, but I don't think I've ever seen such a load of selfish codswallop before.
The posters here seem to feel it their right to drive at 20 mph (say) over the posted limit at all times, but if someone who is not in a hurry chooses to drive at 20 mph below the limit then they are deemed a a 'numpty', or worse.
For goodness sake, let's show a bit of tolerance here and stop this attitude that if you don't want to drive very quickly and have the ability to do so then you have no rights to be on the road. Go quickly when you can, go slowly when you can't, and show tolerance to others. Everyone has the right to the use of the roads. If others should not be selfish and self-centered, then nor should you or I. This 'King-of-the-Road' attitude is not good for anyone.
So I've decided it's my right to drive at 25mph on a derestricted A road. I always have a string of cars behind me and I see all kinds of desperate overtaking and the occasional head on. But that's just because they're intolerant isn't it?
I absolutely agree that we have drivers of all abilities and ambition on the roads and we must make allowances, however I cannot for the life of me see somebody's point of view who decides it's ok to drive at 40mph or sometimes less on a derestricted trunk road when there are sometimes miles of frustrated drivers swarming behind like angry bees.
They should recognise that everybody in that queue behind them wants to go faster (after all they caught up with the end of the queue) and that a small percentage of these people will raise their risk threshold to try and get past.
And if they (for some reason) must cause congestion the Highway Code says they should pull over, but they never do.
The numbers of these people are increasing. I often have the misfortune of being amongst them driving about Norfolk and Suffolk and it seems to be getting worse.
If there was a study finding people were getting involved in frustration related accidents (as I suspect they are), then it would be to everyone's benefit to highlight this -- firstly to make people consider being more patient, and secondly to make people realise that they might be causing a danger by driving too slowly and they could consider going faster or planning their pedestrian sight seeing trips at less busy times.
SM
>> Edited by supermono on Wednesday 27th July 16:36
I absolutely agree that we have drivers of all abilities and ambition on the roads and we must make allowances, however I cannot for the life of me see somebody's point of view who decides it's ok to drive at 40mph or sometimes less on a derestricted trunk road when there are sometimes miles of frustrated drivers swarming behind like angry bees.
They should recognise that everybody in that queue behind them wants to go faster (after all they caught up with the end of the queue) and that a small percentage of these people will raise their risk threshold to try and get past.
And if they (for some reason) must cause congestion the Highway Code says they should pull over, but they never do.
The numbers of these people are increasing. I often have the misfortune of being amongst them driving about Norfolk and Suffolk and it seems to be getting worse.
If there was a study finding people were getting involved in frustration related accidents (as I suspect they are), then it would be to everyone's benefit to highlight this -- firstly to make people consider being more patient, and secondly to make people realise that they might be causing a danger by driving too slowly and they could consider going faster or planning their pedestrian sight seeing trips at less busy times.
SM
>> Edited by supermono on Wednesday 27th July 16:36
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