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The vehicle ahead is stopping on the left, the driver's door may open.
Driving in the vicinity of a hospital, in addition to emergency vehicles there may be drivers in the locality preoccupied with thoughts of sick relatives.
No gap in a line of trees directly ahead
Road will bend to the left or right.
Vehicle wandering
Tired / drunk driver.
Driving in the vicinity of a hospital, in addition to emergency vehicles there may be drivers in the locality preoccupied with thoughts of sick relatives.
No gap in a line of trees directly ahead
Road will bend to the left or right.
Vehicle wandering
Tired / drunk driver.
On cold winter days when we can see the exhaust from petrol engined cars, do beware of the drivers of such cold cars: concentration levels are low at the start of a drive and it takes a while for most drivers to 'wake up'. Of course in the olden days when we had to juggle the choke for the first couple of miles we had to worry about such drivers stalling in front of us at junctions, etc. Thankfully, those days are virtually gone.
On a cold morning, if there is a shallow layer of fog clinging to the ground in fields next to the road, this is called 'radiation fog' and is caused by the ground radiating its heat away during the night, with the result that the ground is a couple of degrees colder than the air immediately above it. This causes moisture to condense out of the air close to the ground and form tiny airborne droplets - fog.
So, if you see radiation fog in neighbouring fields, look at your car's air temperature indicator and subtract 2 or 3°C. This tells you approximately what the road surface temperature is. If the result is at or below zero, beware of ice.
So, if you see radiation fog in neighbouring fields, look at your car's air temperature indicator and subtract 2 or 3°C. This tells you approximately what the road surface temperature is. If the result is at or below zero, beware of ice.
I teach my students to be wary of vans at all times, particularly delivery vans as they suddenly stop with no signal on pavements, corners and double yellows.
I love the more paint more danger. Is also relevant to the longer the hazard line and the closer they are together the more danger there is, the shorter they are the less danger there is.
The smaller the space, the slower your pace. If in doubt wait it out (meet situations).
Also with busses if you can see the 'bus stopping' light by the driver has been illuminated on some of them then it's going to stop so hold back get your mirror checks done with a view to making a safe pass.
I love the more paint more danger. Is also relevant to the longer the hazard line and the closer they are together the more danger there is, the shorter they are the less danger there is.
The smaller the space, the slower your pace. If in doubt wait it out (meet situations).
Also with busses if you can see the 'bus stopping' light by the driver has been illuminated on some of them then it's going to stop so hold back get your mirror checks done with a view to making a safe pass.
Dr Mike Oxgreen said:
On a cold morning, if there is a shallow layer of fog clinging to the ground in fields next to the road, this is called 'radiation fog' and is caused by the ground radiating its heat away during the night, with the result that the ground is a couple of degrees colder than the air immediately above it. This causes moisture to condense out of the air close to the ground and form tiny airborne droplets - fog.
So, if you see radiation fog in neighbouring fields, look at your car's air temperature indicator and subtract 2 or 3°C. This tells you approximately what the road surface temperature is. If the result is at or below zero, beware of ice.
That's a good one.So, if you see radiation fog in neighbouring fields, look at your car's air temperature indicator and subtract 2 or 3°C. This tells you approximately what the road surface temperature is. If the result is at or below zero, beware of ice.
At this time of year, rear windows tend to get steamed up, covered in dirt, rain & frost and are generally difficult to see through. Attentive drivers will clear their rear windows using their rear wipers (if they've got one) and their rear demister.
With that in mind, you should watch out for the drivers who leave their rear windows covered in mist, dirt and frost, as they are completely uninterested in seeing what's happening behind.
The relevance is that these drivers are much less likely to signal before making a turn, and are much more likely to change lanes without making mirror checks.
There are similar clues you can pick up when the weather is dry (remember dry weather?) - poorly maintained rear wiper blades, with a section of the rubber hanging off means it hasn't been used in living memory, and when you're stationary in traffic, look to see if you can make out the drivers eyes in the rear-view mirror of the car in front. If you can, they've adjusted it properly and could possibly be interested in what's happening behind. If you can't see their eyes, and their mirror gives you a good view of their lap, or their headlining, then there's a good chance they'll be in the sudden turn without signal club.
With that in mind, you should watch out for the drivers who leave their rear windows covered in mist, dirt and frost, as they are completely uninterested in seeing what's happening behind.
The relevance is that these drivers are much less likely to signal before making a turn, and are much more likely to change lanes without making mirror checks.
There are similar clues you can pick up when the weather is dry (remember dry weather?) - poorly maintained rear wiper blades, with a section of the rubber hanging off means it hasn't been used in living memory, and when you're stationary in traffic, look to see if you can make out the drivers eyes in the rear-view mirror of the car in front. If you can, they've adjusted it properly and could possibly be interested in what's happening behind. If you can't see their eyes, and their mirror gives you a good view of their lap, or their headlining, then there's a good chance they'll be in the sudden turn without signal club.
On a DC or motorway and I see a car/van with either folded mirrors or broken mirror glass, that vehicle may well be changes lanes blindly, so be aware of it and give it a good berth.
Foreign number plates, likely to be LHD and therefore you will be in a greater size blind spot for longer during an overtake.
If I'm near my local garden centre and the car in front is doing 40, it WILL be turning into the garden centre so the elderly occupants can choose a new bird bath then visit the cafe for a nice sticky bun and cup of tea.
On a DC/motorway in L2 and gaining on a pair of HGVs driving closely in L1, the second will likely want to overtake the first shortly. Ease off to create a gap or pull out to L3 to make a gap, just in case.
Cars in the morning with frosted or steamed up windows, the driver may not see you so be aware.
Passing a line of parked cars but one has an interior light on/puddle light under the mirror, the door may swing open any moment so give plenty of room.
If oncoming cars have their sunvisors down, the sun is likely in their eyes and thus I'm harder to see, better switch on those headlights, especially if it's been raining and the road surface is wet.
If I notice a car with scraped bumpers and dents, odds are the driver isn't very specially aware so I ought to park anywhere but next to them. In fact I ought to park as far away as possible from the entrance to any shops, as to avoid risk of door dings and scrapes.
Supermarket car park in the rain, people are pushing their trolleys with their faces inside their hoods, not looking where they're going. Try your best not to run a few down.
Parking in a bay next to a car that's driven in forward and not straightened the wheels, may possibly reverse out without straightening and swipe your car. Best to park as far away as possible.
Traffic calming island ahead with a sign dictating I have priority over oncoming traffic, the oncoming traffic in question will most definitely not read the sign saying they should give way.
Country lanes: horses, sometimes several, and bicyclists, often several around the next bend. See a flashing beacon in the distance over the hedgerows? Tractor is coming the other way and will likely have a trailer of some sort probably involving oversize spikey bits that won't compliment my paintwork. Best to pull over in the next gap to let it pass.
Powered by fairy dust? Driver has absolutely no interest in driving whatsoever, keep well away.
Foreign number plates, likely to be LHD and therefore you will be in a greater size blind spot for longer during an overtake.
If I'm near my local garden centre and the car in front is doing 40, it WILL be turning into the garden centre so the elderly occupants can choose a new bird bath then visit the cafe for a nice sticky bun and cup of tea.
On a DC/motorway in L2 and gaining on a pair of HGVs driving closely in L1, the second will likely want to overtake the first shortly. Ease off to create a gap or pull out to L3 to make a gap, just in case.
Cars in the morning with frosted or steamed up windows, the driver may not see you so be aware.
Passing a line of parked cars but one has an interior light on/puddle light under the mirror, the door may swing open any moment so give plenty of room.
If oncoming cars have their sunvisors down, the sun is likely in their eyes and thus I'm harder to see, better switch on those headlights, especially if it's been raining and the road surface is wet.
If I notice a car with scraped bumpers and dents, odds are the driver isn't very specially aware so I ought to park anywhere but next to them. In fact I ought to park as far away as possible from the entrance to any shops, as to avoid risk of door dings and scrapes.
Supermarket car park in the rain, people are pushing their trolleys with their faces inside their hoods, not looking where they're going. Try your best not to run a few down.
Parking in a bay next to a car that's driven in forward and not straightened the wheels, may possibly reverse out without straightening and swipe your car. Best to park as far away as possible.
Traffic calming island ahead with a sign dictating I have priority over oncoming traffic, the oncoming traffic in question will most definitely not read the sign saying they should give way.
Country lanes: horses, sometimes several, and bicyclists, often several around the next bend. See a flashing beacon in the distance over the hedgerows? Tractor is coming the other way and will likely have a trailer of some sort probably involving oversize spikey bits that won't compliment my paintwork. Best to pull over in the next gap to let it pass.
Powered by fairy dust? Driver has absolutely no interest in driving whatsoever, keep well away.
Muddle238 said:
If I'm near my local garden centre and the car in front is doing 40, it WILL be turning into the garden centre so the elderly occupants can choose a new bird bath then visit the cafe for a nice sticky bun and cup of tea.
There's one near me on a straight section of A road. Having to brake because someone has pulled out late (from the exit) is something I've come to expect. Poor lane discipline at multi-lane junction or roundabout? Probably lost, paying more attention to signs, could do anything.
At my local garage, people are either checking how busy it is or whether they need fuel before braking at the last minute, then indicating to pull in.
If you're waiting to pass a bus at a bus stop, they rarely use the handbrake, and they'll usually take their foot off the brake and then indicate.
Slow traffic is usually local traffic, so may well turn off before long.
If you're unsure if a car waiting to pull out from a left side road is creeping or about to move, the quickest way to spot it is by looking specifically for front wheel rotation, rather than trying to see the whole car move.
Just because someone is indicating left, there's nothing to stop them turning right - as my dad used to say. It was 30 years before it happened to me, but the he was right, as usual
Reg Local said:
At this time of year, rear windows tend to get steamed up, covered in dirt, rain & frost and are generally difficult to see through. Attentive drivers will clear their rear windows using their rear wipers (if they've got one) and their rear demister.
With that in mind, you should watch out for the drivers who leave their rear windows covered in mist, dirt and frost, as they are completely uninterested in seeing what's happening behind.
The relevance is that these drivers are much less likely to signal before making a turn, and are much more likely to change lanes without making mirror checks.
There are similar clues you can pick up when the weather is dry (remember dry weather?) - poorly maintained rear wiper blades, with a section of the rubber hanging off means it hasn't been used in living memory, and when you're stationary in traffic, look to see if you can make out the drivers eyes in the rear-view mirror of the car in front. If you can, they've adjusted it properly and could possibly be interested in what's happening behind. If you can't see their eyes, and their mirror gives you a good view of their lap, or their headlining, then there's a good chance they'll be in the sudden turn without signal club.
Just to add to this, someone driving along with rear wiper going, when it's not raining, and just keeps ignoring the poor thing juddering and scraping back and forth isn't paying much attention and not looking in their mirror.With that in mind, you should watch out for the drivers who leave their rear windows covered in mist, dirt and frost, as they are completely uninterested in seeing what's happening behind.
The relevance is that these drivers are much less likely to signal before making a turn, and are much more likely to change lanes without making mirror checks.
There are similar clues you can pick up when the weather is dry (remember dry weather?) - poorly maintained rear wiper blades, with a section of the rubber hanging off means it hasn't been used in living memory, and when you're stationary in traffic, look to see if you can make out the drivers eyes in the rear-view mirror of the car in front. If you can, they've adjusted it properly and could possibly be interested in what's happening behind. If you can't see their eyes, and their mirror gives you a good view of their lap, or their headlining, then there's a good chance they'll be in the sudden turn without signal club.
Followed a woman in a Mercedes A 140 this morning on the way into Worcester. Not looked in the mirror once, and yes, a surprise right turn, no mirror check, no signal.
Mind you was being followed by a silly tart in a Polo furiously Facebooking / Twittering /Texting. Driving along slowly in traffic, pedestrians about, kids on way to school, kdogs being walked, eyes down, typing away.
Talk about driving for three, enemy in front and behind. FFS!
To add to my previous post and this not a joke. The Honda Jazz, consistently the worst driven vehicle on the planet. This isn't about cheap Korean or Malaysian cars where people don't car about driving, this is a relatively expensive car which always driven badly! If you don't believe just observe for a few weeks!
Sticks. said:
Muddle238 said:
If I'm near my local garden centre and the car in front is doing 40, it WILL be turning into the garden centre so the elderly occupants can choose a new bird bath then visit the cafe for a nice sticky bun and cup of tea.
There's one near me on a straight section of A road. Having to brake because someone has pulled out late (from the exit) is something I've come to expect.I've got a new one!
I spent a few hours walking in the Yorkshire Dales earlier today. Driving back through Settle, I noticed that there was a single car dealer in the town - a Peugeot dealer. The thought occurred to me that there are probably lots of Settle residents who regularly buy cars from this single dealer, and therefore there must be more Peugeots than average in and around Settle.
The car in front of me at the time was a 64 plate Peugeot of some kind (I'm afraid I lost interest in the Peugeot model line-up some time around 1993). I thought to myself "I bet the driver is local. I bet they turn off." No more than 10 seconds later its left indicator came on and it turned onto a local estate.
Fluke? Possibly. But I subsequently saw three other Peugeots within a 10 mile radius of Settle, all of which turned off within half a mile or so.
And yes, my life has come to this!
I spent a few hours walking in the Yorkshire Dales earlier today. Driving back through Settle, I noticed that there was a single car dealer in the town - a Peugeot dealer. The thought occurred to me that there are probably lots of Settle residents who regularly buy cars from this single dealer, and therefore there must be more Peugeots than average in and around Settle.
The car in front of me at the time was a 64 plate Peugeot of some kind (I'm afraid I lost interest in the Peugeot model line-up some time around 1993). I thought to myself "I bet the driver is local. I bet they turn off." No more than 10 seconds later its left indicator came on and it turned onto a local estate.
Fluke? Possibly. But I subsequently saw three other Peugeots within a 10 mile radius of Settle, all of which turned off within half a mile or so.
And yes, my life has come to this!
In a similar vein to that of Reg Local, traveling along the A59 on Sunday there was a scruffy white Nisan? ahead of me which I thought was just the car for a car boot sale enthusiast - sure enough approaching a junction off which is a regular car boot sale the vehicle began losing speed, drifted to the right and entered the dedicated right turn box, all without any indication.
The dangerous point being the loss of speed at which time many drivers may have been tempted to make the overtake!
The dangerous point being the loss of speed at which time many drivers may have been tempted to make the overtake!
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