Slow drivers on country lanes

[WD39]

kuro said:

Took my mx5 down to my local beach with my youngest daughter today. Looking forward to the drive as the weather is still good. Unfortunately on the way there and back I was stuck behind slower than a slow thing drivers.

Now I dont want to drive like an F1 driver but I do want to travel at a reasonable pace and enjoy the car, In the end I was nearly screaming. Do these people not realise the frustration they cause.

I live in a county with the highest death and serious injury RTA rate in the entire United Kingdom.

This is due to a greater degree by the many hundreds of miles of single track country lanes.

These lanes are often full of blind right angle bends,heavy tree and hedge foliage which seriously restrict forward vision.

You can also encounter,unexpectedly, farm traffic,herds of cows and flocks of sheep,horse riders and pedestrians.

These country lanes need to be driven with the upmost caution.On many occasions I have been forced onto the verge by oncoming traffic going much too fast for this type of road.

The speed limit for most of these roads,apart from a 30/40mph through villages, is 60mph.

Having learnt the hard way,my own max speed is 40mph,or less

This may frustrate many drivers,but experience has taught me that this is the right speed to travel.

Never a week goes by,in the local and county newspapers, without a village or two campaigning for a speed limit through their patch,so it is a constant problem.


So,the next time you are stuck behind a slower driver on a single track country lane, think about all that I've said in this post and hopefully you will understand why.

[saaby93]

Agree with your sentiments but can you go into more detail about the figures

WD39 said:

I live in a county with the highest death and serious injury RTA rate in the entire United Kingdom.
This is due to a greater degree by the many hundreds of miles of single track country lanes.

These lanes are often full of blind right angle bends,heavy tree and hedge foliage which seriously restrict forward vision.

You can also encounter,unexpectedly, farm traffic,herds of cows and flocks of sheep,horse riders and pedestrians.

These country lanes need to be driven with the upmost caution.

Accepting that, are they driven by most people with more or less caution than these

WD39 said:

The speed limit for most of these roads is 60mph ,apart from a 30/40mph through villages.

If you were to stick crash pins in the map where would they cluster?

[Riley Blue]

saaby93 said:

Agree with your sentiments but can you go into more detail about the figures

WD39 said:

I live in a county with the highest death and serious injury RTA rate in the entire United Kingdom.
This is due to a greater degree by the many hundreds of miles of single track country lanes.

These lanes are often full of blind right angle bends,heavy tree and hedge foliage which seriously restrict forward vision.

You can also encounter,unexpectedly, farm traffic,herds of cows and flocks of sheep,horse riders and pedestrians.

These country lanes need to be driven with the upmost caution.

Accepting that, are they driven by most people with more or less caution than these

WD39 said:

The speed limit for most of these roads is 60mph ,apart from a 30/40mph through villages.

If you were to stick crash pins in the map where would they cluster?

Good question - http://www.crashmap.co.uk/

[boxedin]

re: HGVs overtaking. Its time to have the same bans on HGVs in L2 on D/Cs as they have on some 2 lane M-Ways in Belgium and France ( on the toll-free roads, not the PAYG ones ) between 0600 and 1900, the timings seem to vary by the odd hour, but the HGVs are banned.

[Pan Pan]

The rule I was taught, was never go faster than the distance you can see is clear and in which you can stop in. So regardless of limits if a tight bend requires a speed of a couple of miles per hour
to be safe, then a couple of miles an hour it must be. But the main point of using a motor vehicle
of any kind of motor vehicle is to get somewhere faster and easier than you can by using other methods of getting around. To deliberately go slower than road conditions or posted limits permit seems to be perverse, but we must accept that some people are not as quick or alert than others, and this must impact the way the drive.

[TwigtheWonderkid]

FiF said:

Then people wonder why most collisions happen within a few miles from the driver's home.

When I heard about this I moved.

[CBR JGWRR]

I have an little baby "Sports" 125 - (total misnomer) and I am forever overtaking stuff. I was out for a Sunday ride a few days back and overtook 5 cars in about 3 miles of NSL A/B road.

Ok, I may only ride it because you can ride it on the ragged edge of its ability perfectly safely and basically legally in normal road conditions and returns 130+ mpg when you can't, but even so, if someone is going so slowly they can be passed by something that if it got a speeding ticket in an NSL would increase its value they are too slow.

[saaby93]

Are we missing the point here somewhere
You dont have to use the roads to go as quick as you can from A to B. If you have the time it's ok to go out for a nice drive enjoying the differing scenery that the road passes through.
If someone comes up behind wanting to make progress, just let them by and all will be well with the world

[trashbat]

WD39 said:

Having learnt the hard way,my own max speed is 40mph,or less

This may frustrate many drivers,but experience has taught me that this is the right speed to travel.

The 'right speed to travel' is context-sensitive.

I'd suggest to you that whilst your '40mph max' rule might be better than the default carefree zooming, relying on it is also a long way short of optimal, which would be to continuously make assessments for the changing situation. 60mph+ might be perfectly fine in parts, but there might also be sections where 10mph is too much.

The book Roadcraft, the basis for advanced driving, teaches you a fair bit about making judgements. It also includes something called the Limit Point technique, which is about altering your speed to the view.

That said, I've used exactly this stuff and everything else I know about advanced driving to make what was to me optimal progress along various Welsh B-roads, and quite frequently found myself holding up some local farmer or similar. It's easier to follow than it is to lead, and it's easier to compromise safety than to put that much effort into maintaining it.

[Foppo]

saaby93 said:

Are we missing the point here somewhere
You dont have to use the roads to go as quick as you can from A to B. If you have the time it's ok to go out for a nice drive enjoying the differing scenery that the road passes through.
If someone comes up behind wanting to make progress, just let them by and all will be well with the world

Therein lies the problem often you can't get by and you are behind these mimsers for a long time.

On coming traffic stops you making progress.>

[p1doc]

mwstewart said:

Different strokes...

I have fantastic memories from childhood of being strapped up in the passenger seat whilst Dad was doing just so. I absolutely loved it. When the time comes I won't wrap my kids up in cotton wool.

exactly what i do in my kit cars with my kids on private roads lol
martin

[Pan Pan]

saaby93 said:

Are we missing the point here somewhere
You dont have to use the roads to go as quick as you can from A to B. If you have the time it's ok to go out for a nice drive enjoying the differing scenery that the road passes through.
If someone comes up behind wanting to make progress, just let them by and all will be well with the world

Looking at the scenery is Ok for passengers, but not so welcome on the part of the driver, who should be focusing on the road. I like being a passenger at times, as it is only then that I get the chance to look at the scenery.

[FiF]

Pan Pan said:

saaby93 said:

Are we missing the point here somewhere
You dont have to use the roads to go as quick as you can from A to B. If you have the time it's ok to go out for a nice drive enjoying the differing scenery that the road passes through.
If someone comes up behind wanting to make progress, just let them by and all will be well with the world

Looking at the scenery is Ok for passengers, but not so welcome on the part of the driver, who should be focusing on the road. I like being a passenger at times, as it is only then that I get the chance to look at the scenery.

However the point is still valid when slightly modified.

It's not all about getting down a road as fast as possible. Different people may wish to travel at different paces.

As long as each party recognises this and those who are slower than others assist an overtake when possible and those who are quicker are patient and adopt a proper following position and contact position only when a genuine overtaking opportunity is likely.

Too often we see the the follower adopting a bullying position and the followee drifting past many opportunities to pull in.

That's before we get to those who drive on the basis of knowing the road and at best only account for their own braking distance and nothing for any opposing traffic.

The sort that says I'll really slow down for this unsighted bend as I know it's a square 90 right, but this next unsighted bend I'll keep my foot in the bucket as it's only a 30 left opens.

These people, to put it bluntly, are aholes.

[Pan Pan]

FiF said:

Pan Pan said:

saaby93 said:

Are we missing the point here somewhere
You dont have to use the roads to go as quick as you can from A to B. If you have the time it's ok to go out for a nice drive enjoying the differing scenery that the road passes through.
If someone comes up behind wanting to make progress, just let them by and all will be well with the world

Looking at the scenery is Ok for passengers, but not so welcome on the part of the driver, who should be focusing on the road. I like being a passenger at times, as it is only then that I get the chance to look at the scenery.

However the point is still valid when slightly modified.

It's not all about getting down a road as fast as possible. Different people may wish to travel at different paces.

As long as each party recognises this and those who are slower than others assist an overtake when possible and those who are quicker are patient and adopt a proper following position and contact position only when a genuine overtaking opportunity is likely.

Too often we see the the follower adopting a bullying position and the followee drifting past many opportunities to pull in.

That's before we get to those who drive on the basis of knowing the road and at best only account for their own braking distance and nothing for any opposing traffic.

The sort that says I'll really slow down for this unsighted bend as I know it's a square 90 right, but this next unsighted bend I'll keep my foot in the bucket as it's only a 30 left opens.

These people, to put it bluntly, are aholes.

Being considerate to other road users is important, but I would contend that those who drive down certain roads at speeds well below the posted limit, with a huge queue of frustrated motorists (some of whom may have many miles to do to get to their destination) behind them are also a*seholes. If someone is doing the (set low) speed limit, and also travelling a a reasonable speed for the road conditions, there really is not much point in overtaking, but if they are dawdling, and with no cars in sight in front of them, and a large queue built up behind them, they constitute the dangerous driver on that section of road, not those who legitimately want to travel at the posted limit.

[FiF]

Pan Pan said:

FiF said:

Pan Pan said:

saaby93 said:

Are we missing the point here somewhere
You dont have to use the roads to go as quick as you can from A to B. If you have the time it's ok to go out for a nice drive enjoying the differing scenery that the road passes through.
If someone comes up behind wanting to make progress, just let them by and all will be well with the world

Looking at the scenery is Ok for passengers, but not so welcome on the part of the driver, who should be focusing on the road. I like being a passenger at times, as it is only then that I get the chance to look at the scenery.

However the point is still valid when slightly modified.

It's not all about getting down a road as fast as possible. Different people may wish to travel at different paces.

As long as each party recognises this and those who are slower than others assist an overtake when possible and those who are quicker are patient and adopt a proper following position and contact position only when a genuine overtaking opportunity is likely.

Too often we see the the follower adopting a bullying position and the followee drifting past many opportunities to pull in.

That's before we get to those who drive on the basis of knowing the road and at best only account for their own braking distance and nothing for any opposing traffic.

The sort that says I'll really slow down for this unsighted bend as I know it's a square 90 right, but this next unsighted bend I'll keep my foot in the bucket as it's only a 30 left opens.

These people, to put it bluntly, are aholes.

Being considerate to other road users is important, but I would contend that those who drive down certain roads at speeds well below the posted limit, with a huge queue of frustrated motorists (some of whom may have many miles to do to get to their destination) behind them are also a*seholes. If someone is doing the (set low) speed limit, and also travelling a a reasonable speed for the road conditions, there really is not much point in overtaking, but if they are dawdling, and with no cars in sight in front of them, and a large queue built up behind them, they constitute the dangerous driver on that section of road, not those who legitimately want to travel at the posted limit.

Possibly agree.

If it's a road where overtaking is not possible and they refuse to assist then yes.

If overtaking is possible and the queue is caused by someone who fails to do so when it's perfectly possible but by their positioning they prevent someone getting past them and on past the leader then who's the bigger ahole?

Then what about someone who is sticking to an unreasonable limit. Say a 40 where 50 or even 60 would be acceptable? They aren't aholes in my book but it doesn't stop people adopting positions to try and bully them into going faster or to try and let them past.

[Morningside]

Come to Suffolk - the bds can barely manage to go over 35 and brake on every corner or any car coming the other way. Why do these old duffers buy the biggest car they can afford and then drive around in what seems 3rd gear?

Until they hit the town and then speed UP to 40. Tossers!!

[wombat172a]

kuro said:

local beach

+

kuro said:

today (saturday)

+

kuro said:

weather is still good

+

kuro said:

Devon

=

kuro said:

stuck behind slower than a slow thing drivers.

It should be expected I'm afraid. I was on dartmoor on sunday, and it's a similar story.

[oyster]

kuro said:

Took my mx5 down to my local beach with my youngest daughter today. Looking forward to the drive as the weather is still good. Unfortunately on the way there and back I was stuck behind slower than a slow thing drivers.

Now I dont want to drive like an F1 driver but I do want to travel at a reasonable pace and enjoy the car, In the end I was nearly screaming. Do these people not realise the frustration they cause.

They have as much right to use the road as you do.

My solution to your issue is to stop and let them pull away, find a gap to leave some clear road ahead and resume your journey. At least then you might find a few minutes of empty lane to drive on.

And you'll then catch them again, so repeat as necessary.

You'll still get to destination no later. But much more invigorated and less stressed.

[Pan Pan]

FiF said:

Pan Pan said:

FiF said:

Pan Pan said:

saaby93 said:

Are we missing the point here somewhere
You dont have to use the roads to go as quick as you can from A to B. If you have the time it's ok to go out for a nice drive enjoying the differing scenery that the road passes through.
If someone comes up behind wanting to make progress, just let them by and all will be well with the world

Looking at the scenery is Ok for passengers, but not so welcome on the part of the driver, who should be focusing on the road. I like being a passenger at times, as it is only then that I get the chance to look at the scenery.

However the point is still valid when slightly modified.

It's not all about getting down a road as fast as possible. Different people may wish to travel at different paces.

As long as each party recognises this and those who are slower than others assist an overtake when possible and those who are quicker are patient and adopt a proper following position and contact position only when a genuine overtaking opportunity is likely.

Too often we see the the follower adopting a bullying position and the followee drifting past many opportunities to pull in.

That's before we get to those who drive on the basis of knowing the road and at best only account for their own braking distance and nothing for any opposing traffic.

The sort that says I'll really slow down for this unsighted bend as I know it's a square 90 right, but this next unsighted bend I'll keep my foot in the bucket as it's only a 30 left opens.

These people, to put it bluntly, are aholes.

Being considerate to other road users is important, but I would contend that those who drive down certain roads at speeds well below the posted limit, with a huge queue of frustrated motorists (some of whom may have many miles to do to get to their destination) behind them are also a*seholes. If someone is doing the (set low) speed limit, and also travelling a a reasonable speed for the road conditions, there really is not much point in overtaking, but if they are dawdling, and with no cars in sight in front of them, and a large queue built up behind them, they constitute the dangerous driver on that section of road, not those who legitimately want to travel at the posted limit.

Possibly agree.

If it's a road where overtaking is not possible and they refuse to assist then yes.

If overtaking is possible and the queue is caused by someone who fails to do so when it's perfectly possible but by their positioning they prevent someone getting past them and on past the leader then who's the bigger ahole?

Then what about someone who is sticking to an unreasonable limit. Say a 40 where 50 or even 60 would be acceptable? They aren't aholes in my book but it doesn't stop people adopting positions to try and bully them into going faster or to try and let them past.

For a person to go onto roads with the intention of holding up other road users, who legitimately want to travel at the posted limit, simply because, they fancy a nice drive, and want to look at the scenery is not on.
Many drivers may have huge distances to to cover, or may need to be at a destination point at a specific time. If a driver for whatever reason is not able to cope with travelling at the (set low) posted limit/s, or at the best speed dictated by road conditions, they should really think hard about whether they should be on the roads (in a vehicle they are driving themselves) at all.
limit

[Bonefish Blues]

Pan Pan said:

For a person to go onto roads with the intention of holding up other road users, who legitimately want to travel at the posted limit, simply because, they fancy a nice drive, and want to look at the scenery is not on.
Many drivers may have huge distances to to cover, or may need to be at a destination point at a specific time. If a driver for whatever reason is not able to cope with travelling at the (set low) posted limit/s, or at the best speed dictated by road conditions, they should really think hard about whether they should be on the roads (in a vehicle they are driving themselves) at all.
limit

Clearly they don't set out to do that.

Clearly they have the right to use the road for their purposes, too.