Acceptable driving?

Author
Discussion

tomsugden

Original Poster:

2,237 posts

229 months

Sunday 10th January 2016
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Driving home on Friday evening on a dual carriageway with NSL. I had cruise set at 70, and for about 3 miles I had a girl in a Clio sitting to my right speed matching me, and making no real effort to get past. There were several roundabouts, and at each one she dropped back slightly, then gradually caught me up and again, but did not make the pass.

On one particular roundabout we were alongside each other, me on the inside, her on the outside, and as we exit I see an HGV a few hundred metres ahead. Anticipating what was going to happen and not wanting to get boxed in behind the HGV, I accelerated then moved out to overtake. I was well clear when I moved out and didn't impede her progress at all, but wondered if this would be considered to be aggressive driving, or just reading the situation and adjusting speed accordingly to maintain progress?

powerstroke

10,283 posts

161 months

Sunday 10th January 2016
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Maybe she was feeling lonely!!! Mind they do stange things and aren't like us humans so best to make alowances...

SimonSh

86 posts

217 months

Sunday 10th January 2016
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In the absence of cruise control she probably was relying on her speedo and trying to gently pass you without breaking the speed limit. What car do you drive? Maybe she thought you were plod?
I often find you end up in awkward situations when using cruise control because as speed is a very perceptive thing people vary their speed all the time on dual carriage and motorway without realising it just because of the subconcious effect that the surroundings have.
Anyhow in answer to your question I think it's acceptable to accelerate for a short period to get in clear space before a slower moving vehicle or obstruction.

tomsugden

Original Poster:

2,237 posts

229 months

Sunday 10th January 2016
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SimonSh said:
What car do you drive? Maybe she thought you were plod?
It's an Audi S1, so I very much doubt it. Thanks for the response.

waremark

3,243 posts

214 months

Monday 11th January 2016
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I try to avoid driving alongside others, particularly on roundabouts. I would either slow down or speed up to avoid it. I often use cruise control but am always happy to cancel it if necessary to create space around me.

DoubleD

22,154 posts

109 months

Monday 11th January 2016
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I think you need to find something else to worry about!

dvenman

221 posts

116 months

Monday 11th January 2016
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DoubleD said:
I think you need to find something else to worry about!
I read that as DoubleD meaning that you did nothing wrong, and that it doesn't seem aggressive from your description. He's right, find something else to worry about !

tejr

3,109 posts

165 months

Monday 11th January 2016
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Its for this reason I usually set my cruise control to 72-74mph instead of bang on 70.

tomsugden

Original Poster:

2,237 posts

229 months

Monday 11th January 2016
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Thanks all, good to know.

Spx

182 posts

103 months

Thursday 11th February 2016
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If I have little confidence in someone's driving because of their behaviour then I would rather not follow them due to all the 'events' they are likely to attract.

BertBert

19,079 posts

212 months

Friday 12th February 2016
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I do love coming here! Was that actually a serious question OP? Were you genuinely worried that it might be aggressive driving?
Bert

WJNB

2,637 posts

162 months

Saturday 13th February 2016
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tomsugden said:
Driving home on Friday evening on a dual carriageway with NSL. I had cruise set at 70, and for about 3 miles I had a girl in a Clio sitting to my right speed matching me, and making no real effort to get past. There were several roundabouts, and at each one she dropped back slightly, then gradually caught me up and again, but did not make the pass.

On one particular roundabout we were alongside each other, me on the inside, her on the outside, and as we exit I see an HGV a few hundred metres ahead. Anticipating what was going to happen and not wanting to get boxed in behind the HGV, I accelerated then moved out to overtake. I was well clear when I moved out and didn't impede her progress at all, but wondered if this would be considered to be aggressive driving, or just reading the situation and adjusting speed accordingly to maintain progress?
Clio girl just dreaming about her next visit to Harvey Nicks or what colour lipstick to wear.

Beggarall

550 posts

242 months

Wednesday 17th February 2016
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Sounds like a problem with cruise control - lots of parallel drivers all set at something like 70mph - causing bunching and close proximity driving and highly dangerous IMHO - bring on driverless cars which can communicate with each other!

Mini Spirit

12 posts

103 months

Friday 19th February 2016
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I would of dropped my speed after seeing the HGV, & moved into the offside lane, behind the the female, reason being you undertook, which is very naughty, if she decided to accelerate it would of put you a bit of a pickle.