Question: I overtake, car matches my speed and I have to
Discussion
hora said:
Hypothetical question really.
At the weekend I was behind an Audi TT that was sat at an indicated 45 for a couple of miles in a NSL. As soon as we got to a straight with good visibility I indicated and started to overtake, I soon became aware that although I was overtaking the Audi was side by side- in effect matching my speed. I kept a look for any oncoming and noticed a car in the distance closing now. So with our speeds at 80 I had to start thinking about what I was going to do
1. Start anchoring on (at 80) and attempt to get back in behind
2. Have a head on collision
3. Tank slap the car on my left
I decided to indicate/hit the horn and start to move over - it worked. He lifted off and let me back in.
What/who etc is to blame in this situations? If I had to do point 3 I'd be in big trouble?
Normally overtaking, its hassle-free. Yet every so often you get people 'playing' - not an issue if you have a powerful car. It can be an issue though if you have a bog-standard car.
Yes it shouldn't have gone upto 80 but I was attempting to get passed him and in asap- the situation developed quickly.
It would have to be both of you.At the weekend I was behind an Audi TT that was sat at an indicated 45 for a couple of miles in a NSL. As soon as we got to a straight with good visibility I indicated and started to overtake, I soon became aware that although I was overtaking the Audi was side by side- in effect matching my speed. I kept a look for any oncoming and noticed a car in the distance closing now. So with our speeds at 80 I had to start thinking about what I was going to do
1. Start anchoring on (at 80) and attempt to get back in behind
2. Have a head on collision
3. Tank slap the car on my left
I decided to indicate/hit the horn and start to move over - it worked. He lifted off and let me back in.
What/who etc is to blame in this situations? If I had to do point 3 I'd be in big trouble?
Normally overtaking, its hassle-free. Yet every so often you get people 'playing' - not an issue if you have a powerful car. It can be an issue though if you have a bog-standard car.
Yes it shouldn't have gone upto 80 but I was attempting to get passed him and in asap- the situation developed quickly.
He is a 'tool' for diving like that, but you are the one on the wrong side of the road who has the control to do something about it.
You should always have an escape route when over taking - either foot down and get past,
back off and go back in where you came from, even just stop if really screwed up ...
I'm absolutely amazed by people who really do risk a head on for what reason (I'm not suggesting you did) ... you don't walk away from accidents like that, they are life changing.
Martin
Had a similar thing happen to me the other week which left me quite angry.
Nice long straight road, plenty of room to overtake the car safely (there were vehicles in front of the car (a Passat estate) on our side of the road but they were about 15 car lengths away).
I indicate and begin the overtake. Just as I'm moving across to the right he begins to accelerate too. At this point, I'm not overtaking as fast as I could because it was supposed to be an nice, easy and relaxed move. However, Mr Passat is soon matching my speed. We both accelerate a bit more and I decide that I can't be bothered with this (as cars are appearing in my lane) and begin to brake and move to the left behind him again (option 1).
As I brake and move to the left, he slams his brakes on too. So, not only did he try to stop me from overtaking, he then gives me a brake test as I'm moving back behind him. After this stupidity had finished I noticed that he was glaring at me in his central mirror. I was quite annoyed (to say the least) and the coffee bean shaker gesture was made. I'm not proud of that.
Anyway, we got a bit further down the road and the opportunity to overtake him appeared again. This time I did it properly and used some revs to get past. I think he tried again to match me, but his diesel Passat wasn't able to deal with a proper overtake.
The bloke was a fool and simply didn't want me overtaking him, for some reason.
Nice long straight road, plenty of room to overtake the car safely (there were vehicles in front of the car (a Passat estate) on our side of the road but they were about 15 car lengths away).
I indicate and begin the overtake. Just as I'm moving across to the right he begins to accelerate too. At this point, I'm not overtaking as fast as I could because it was supposed to be an nice, easy and relaxed move. However, Mr Passat is soon matching my speed. We both accelerate a bit more and I decide that I can't be bothered with this (as cars are appearing in my lane) and begin to brake and move to the left behind him again (option 1).
As I brake and move to the left, he slams his brakes on too. So, not only did he try to stop me from overtaking, he then gives me a brake test as I'm moving back behind him. After this stupidity had finished I noticed that he was glaring at me in his central mirror. I was quite annoyed (to say the least) and the coffee bean shaker gesture was made. I'm not proud of that.
Anyway, we got a bit further down the road and the opportunity to overtake him appeared again. This time I did it properly and used some revs to get past. I think he tried again to match me, but his diesel Passat wasn't able to deal with a proper overtake.
The bloke was a fool and simply didn't want me overtaking him, for some reason.
Edited by funkyrobot on Thursday 16th August 07:58
hora said:
TBH you showed great restraint, if that had happened I'd have waited and seen if the driver was pulling off somewhere on route then had a firm word with them. No violence or shouting.
I was very tempted. I wanted to follow him to his destination and insert my car jack somewhere smelly. However, I counted to ten and carried on when he turned off (which was at the next roundabout about 2 miles down the road). I've had this a few times. It's not pleasant.
What goes through your head is 'If I back off and slot behind him, he's gonna slow back down to 45'. Which, he will. The only real answer is to buy a faster car, or risk a terrible ending.
When you're past him slow down then spray him with your scooshers, I see it as a sort of skunk pissing on someone that's invading their well being.
Can you buy skunk scented windscreen wash? Dragons Den here I come!
What goes through your head is 'If I back off and slot behind him, he's gonna slow back down to 45'. Which, he will. The only real answer is to buy a faster car, or risk a terrible ending.
When you're past him slow down then spray him with your scooshers, I see it as a sort of skunk pissing on someone that's invading their well being.
Can you buy skunk scented windscreen wash? Dragons Den here I come!
hora said:
Amazes me, I've had it a couple of times in my old MX5 but never in the bigger cars that I've owned. Crazy.
Also had it a few times in the MX5 but with some turbo nutter cars I have had either one doesn't notice their increased speed or know they have no chance so don't bother. Road hooning and possible a little more fun on track is one reason I would really like to at least try a FI MX5.hora said:
TBH you showed great restraint, if that had happened I'd have waited and seen if the driver was pulling off somewhere on route then had a firm word with them. No violence or shouting.
That is the most stupid thing to do possible. You have no idea until you meet them on the road, the sheer amount of total plebs on the road who wouldn't think twice about punching you through your window or worse. REALLY not worth it. If you keep this attitude up you will get hurt at some point.
Coming back from Stoke on the A52 one evening, following a friend we came across a line of spaced out slow moving traffic, doing a good 20mph below the speed limit in places and fairly well spaced out.
We overtake the first two cars with no issues, and my friend then overtakes the last.
At the next opportunity, a long straight section with no oncoming traffic, I pull out and start to overtake. The kind man in the Volvo starts to accelerate and match my speed so I give it more gas, he does too. I then notice some headlights approaching and think "sod this" so apply the brakes. Volvo man also starts to slow down to match my speed, that oncoming car is getting a little closer now, fortunately my tactic of brake harder and just move over worked.
Once I'd pulled back in the Volvo driver went back to driving at a snails pace before turning off 4 or 5 miles later.
In hindsight I wish I'd pulled off behind him and asked what he was playing at but I have a feeling that situation would escalate.
Sometimes people are just complete idiots.
We overtake the first two cars with no issues, and my friend then overtakes the last.
At the next opportunity, a long straight section with no oncoming traffic, I pull out and start to overtake. The kind man in the Volvo starts to accelerate and match my speed so I give it more gas, he does too. I then notice some headlights approaching and think "sod this" so apply the brakes. Volvo man also starts to slow down to match my speed, that oncoming car is getting a little closer now, fortunately my tactic of brake harder and just move over worked.
Once I'd pulled back in the Volvo driver went back to driving at a snails pace before turning off 4 or 5 miles later.
In hindsight I wish I'd pulled off behind him and asked what he was playing at but I have a feeling that situation would escalate.
Sometimes people are just complete idiots.
The trick is to catch them off guard, Don't indicate (obviously if it's clear) or give any clue that your going to overtake until you're doing it. 9/10 they never react in time to show how much of a man they are by blocking you.
I used to commute down B roads teeming with bellends on a daily basis, in a heavy 130bhp diesel mondeo and this method never failed
I used to commute down B roads teeming with bellends on a daily basis, in a heavy 130bhp diesel mondeo and this method never failed
hora said:
True, thats what mrshora has said. One day I'll be stabbed or shot. I can't walk by any trouble without trying to help.
Stabbed or shot a bit far?! I don't know what you mean by the second sentence. I was referring to you having a word with people who have annoyed you on the road.
Hudson said:
The trick is to catch them off guard, Don't indicate (obviously if it's clear) or give any clue that your going to overtake until you're doing it. 9/10 they never react in time to show how much of a man they are by blocking you.
I used to commute down B roads teeming with bellends on a daily basis, in a heavy 130bhp diesel mondeo and this method never failed
Overtake when they least expect it, like on blind corners. I get ya I used to commute down B roads teeming with bellends on a daily basis, in a heavy 130bhp diesel mondeo and this method never failed
As someone else pointed out, if you are in the apposing carriageway then there is a rubuttable presumption you are in the wrong. I'd suggest that the fact the other car accelerated is a mitigating factor and not a defence.
As for the Audi driver he has committed an offence of careless, possibly dangerous, driving. The Highway Code says that a car being overtaken should not accelerate and should be prepared to slow if necessary.
As for the Audi driver he has committed an offence of careless, possibly dangerous, driving. The Highway Code says that a car being overtaken should not accelerate and should be prepared to slow if necessary.
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