Stopping on a main road to let people out...

[davepoth]

When did this become something people do?

Every morning I drive along a 50mph (used to be NSL) section of road. Fairly busy at rush hour but moving at 40-45ish. Three times in the last month I've been coming down this hill:

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.3827761,-2.42633...

And somebody in front of me has stopped to let somebody out from the turning on the left.

It's not especially clear from this image but it's quite a steep downhill with a fairly tight turn afterwards, so it's normal to be on the brakes anyway going along this stretch, meaning that it's not immediately obvious if someone is about to be an utter fkwit. I'm having to leave a bigger than normal gap to the car in front to take account of the potential idiocy.

This morning I was in a line of a dozen cars, all of whom had to stop because someone decided to be "nice". This stretch has recently been treated to a high friction surface.

Now, if I'm not going to inconvenience anyone behind me I might well let someone out, but I don't understand the thought process that leads people to do this when there are loads of cars behind them.

Is anyone else seeing the same sort of thing?

[Rubin215]

Regular basis at this junction in Edinburgh.

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@55.9517848,-3.12118...

The number of aholes who stop on the main road (Sir Harry Lauder Road) to let people out of the side road on the left does my head in!
I'm a great believer in "honk-therapy" if anyone in front of me does it.

Not that I'm an impatient angry man you understand...

[Huff]

Popular thing amongst a select breed of morons around here too.

Jump out of your car, thump them upside the head and shout Courtesy Causes Confusion in their ear - see if anything changes.
DON'T hold your breath meanwhile

Edited by Huff on Saturday 15th October 01:07

[kev b]

Quite common around here too, I have mentioned it before in a couple of posts.

Usually carried out by one of the 40 mph everywhere, pensioner demographic, oblivious to the fact that extending a cortesy to one motorist causes mayhem in the train of twenty cars behind them.

[waremark]

If you are not going to hold up people behind you because there is empty road behind you then there is no point in giving way - the driver in the side road will be able to come out behind you anyway. He/she only needs help when there is an unbroken stream of traffic on the main road.

From my home I have to join a busy A road from a side road and at busy times you can only ever get out when someone on the A road gives way to you. Happily, people do. Coming out, beware of an overtaking motorcycle who might not give way.

[Nigel Worc's]

I rely on people doing this most mornings !

[davepoth]

Rubin215 said:

I'm a great believer in "honk-therapy" if anyone in front of me does it.

Not that I'm an impatient angry man you understand...

Did that on Friday. The scooter rider between me and the stopper jumped a bit.

[Rubin215]

waremark said:

If you are not going to hold up people behind you because there is empty road behind you then there is no point in giving way - the driver in the side road will be able to come out behind you anyway. He/she only needs help when there is an unbroken stream of traffic on the main road.

From my home I have to join a busy A road from a side road and at busy times you can only ever get out when someone on the A road gives way to you. Happily, people do. Coming out, beware of an overtaking motorcycle who is on the main road and has the right of way.

Fixed that for you.

[Efbe]

Not sure I see the issue here.

If the car has been unable to pull out, and there is an obvious stream of traffic going one way preventing them from getting out, letting someone out is just good manners.

[stevensdrs]

Rubin215 said:

waremark said:

If you are not going to hold up people behind you because there is empty road behind you then there is no point in giving way - the driver in the side road will be able to come out behind you anyway. He/she only needs help when there is an unbroken stream of traffic on the main road.

From my home I have to join a busy A road from a side road and at busy times you can only ever get out when someone on the A road gives way to you. Happily, people do. Coming out, beware of an overtaking motorcycle who is on the main road and has PRIORITY.

Fixed that for you.

Fixed it for you too as there is no such thing as "right of way"

[Efbe]

stevensdrs said:

Rubin215 said:

waremark said:

If you are not going to hold up people behind you because there is empty road behind you then there is no point in giving way - the driver in the side road will be able to come out behind you anyway. He/she only needs help when there is an unbroken stream of traffic on the main road.

From my home I have to join a busy A road from a side road and at busy times you can only ever get out when someone on the A road gives way to you. Happily, people do. Coming out, beware of an overtaking motorcycle who is on the main road and has PRIORITY.

Fixed that for you.

Fixed it for you too as there is no such thing as "right of way"

Vehicles should not overtake at a junction

[Rubin215]

stevensdrs said:

Rubin215 said:

waremark said:

If you are not going to hold up people behind you because there is empty road behind you then there is no point in giving way - the driver in the side road will be able to come out behind you anyway. He/she only needs help when there is an unbroken stream of traffic on the main road.

From my home I have to join a busy A road from a side road and at busy times you can only ever get out when someone on the A road gives way to you. Happily, people do. Coming out, beware of an overtaking motorcycle who is on the main road and has PRIORITY.

Fixed that for you.

Fixed it for you too as there is no such thing as "right of way"

Wow!

Out-pedanting a pedant!

10 points for Gryffindor...!

[7mike]

I like to anticipate when someone is going to do something daft and being ready to deal with it calmly without resort to 'honk therapy'. Not nearly as 'advanced' I know, sorry

[davepoth]

Efbe said:

Not sure I see the issue here.

If the car has been unable to pull out, and there is an obvious stream of traffic going one way preventing them from getting out, letting someone out is just good manners.

No, good manners would be following the rules of the road and considering the people who are following you. Even though you would not legally be responsible for being rear ended by someone who wasn't expecting you to stop, it would ruin your day.

[Efbe]

davepoth said:

Efbe said:

Not sure I see the issue here.

If the car has been unable to pull out, and there is an obvious stream of traffic going one way preventing them from getting out, letting someone out is just good manners.

No, good manners would be following the rules of the road and considering the people who are following you. Even though you would not legally be responsible for being rear ended by someone who wasn't expecting you to stop, it would ruin your day.

but that isn't what happens is it?

you are just finding excuses for selfish driving.

[popeyewhite]

Efbe said:

davepoth said:

Efbe said:

Not sure I see the issue here.

If the car has been unable to pull out, and there is an obvious stream of traffic going one way preventing them from getting out, letting someone out is just good manners.

No, good manners would be following the rules of the road and considering the people who are following you. Even though you would not legally be responsible for being rear ended by someone who wasn't expecting you to stop, it would ruin your day.

but that isn't what happens is it?

you are just finding excuses for selfish driving.

Give over. Inconvenience one by not letting them out or inconvenience many by forcing them to stop/concertina and you pick the one?!!

[Efbe]

popeyewhite said:

Give over. Inconvenience one by not letting them out or inconvenience many by forcing them to stop/concertina and you pick the one?!!

as was said. steady stream of traffic.
You won't inconvenience anyone behind you.

This is the advanced driving section. Not the section for inconsiderate unaware middle lane motorists.

It would be evident someone wanted to pull out of that junction from way back. slowing very slightly more than you would be doing already as soon as you see this situation occur would give the opportunity for someone to pull out if they felt they had the space to without inconveniencing anyone behind you at all.
We are not talking about ramming on brakes, just slowing to make a slightly larger gap in front of you at a position you will be slowing considerably anyhow.

If they do pull out the people behind you are an amazing one car further back in the line of traffic. 1 seconds lost. wow.
If they go the other way or don't pull out, then you will be behind the same car you were behind anyway.

[768]

If you're causing (and relying on) other people to brake, you're doing it wrong.

[Efbe]

768 said:

If you're causing (and relying on) other people to brake, you're doing it wrong.

you tell that to the SLOW writing on the road, and the blind right corner following a downwards hill. but I see you haven't even looked have you.

[768]

Err, drivers should slow for those things, not the car in front. I wasn't suggesting no one should brake ever.