People that block overtakes.
Discussion
I had to undertake 2 cars yesterday. Followed them both for about ten miles. The guy directly in front had no intention of overtaking the car ahead of him.
Decided I'd had enough and faked I was going to exit the dual carriageway using a long junction lane to pass them on the inside, as I did, the guy at the front decided to move from the outside lane and cut directly into the junction turn off lane infront of me.
There was plenty of time for him to wait and let me continue but he felt the need to not let me past, even though I was already in the lane moving quicker than him.
When I did get passed I had a free run for the continuing 30 miles home.
Why do these tossers sit in the outside lane for the entire length of their journey before cutting off at the very last minute for their junction? Really makes me mad.
Decided I'd had enough and faked I was going to exit the dual carriageway using a long junction lane to pass them on the inside, as I did, the guy at the front decided to move from the outside lane and cut directly into the junction turn off lane infront of me.
There was plenty of time for him to wait and let me continue but he felt the need to not let me past, even though I was already in the lane moving quicker than him.
When I did get passed I had a free run for the continuing 30 miles home.
Why do these tossers sit in the outside lane for the entire length of their journey before cutting off at the very last minute for their junction? Really makes me mad.
bodhi said:
And the good old British strategy of completely ignoring what's in the Highway Code.
I will admit I'm often the person in the right lane trying to merge - the council provided two lanes for us to use, so lets use them. I had one stupid old cretin trying to stop me from merging last Saturday coming out of Stafford - every time I inched forward with the traffic, he moved forward too. Eyes forward, no acknowledgement, just moving his car in a way that made it clear I wasn't getting in.
Thankfully, in front of him was an E39 I had let in previously round town, who saw what was going on, and very kindly let me in, 3 cars ahead of the doddering old fool I was waving a Highway Code at.
If you block traffic from merging you are making the congestion infinitely worse, and shouldn't really be allowed on the roads. Just let them in and let everyone get on with their days. Hardly rocket science.
Where abouts was this in StaffordI will admit I'm often the person in the right lane trying to merge - the council provided two lanes for us to use, so lets use them. I had one stupid old cretin trying to stop me from merging last Saturday coming out of Stafford - every time I inched forward with the traffic, he moved forward too. Eyes forward, no acknowledgement, just moving his car in a way that made it clear I wasn't getting in.
Thankfully, in front of him was an E39 I had let in previously round town, who saw what was going on, and very kindly let me in, 3 cars ahead of the doddering old fool I was waving a Highway Code at.
If you block traffic from merging you are making the congestion infinitely worse, and shouldn't really be allowed on the roads. Just let them in and let everyone get on with their days. Hardly rocket science.
What blueg33 said.
There's always a start point for a convoy of slow traffic, whether it be an HGV, a caravanner, or just someone who's not in a rush. Get lucky and be the first one to arrive behind the slow vehicle, and you can overtake at your leisure and have an open road ahead. If you are unlucky, the slow vehicle has already been caught by half a dozen droogs who either can't be bothered, or who lack the skill/performance to overtake.
If you 'hop' down the queue you eventually arrive at the cause, and put in one last pass, 'et voilà!' the road ahead is clear, and you can relax into YOUR drive without worrying about the inappropriate braking of the car ahead, or wondering why/when someone ahead will do something silly and you'll be stuck behind a multi car accident.
Personally, I'm not big on speeding. I've had points and a SAC in the past. Nowadays I just want to drive somewhere near the limit, within my, and my car's capabilities, and judge for myself what speed to pursue into a series of bends, or when and how much to push the throttle on an exit. I don't want those decisions dictated to me, or compromised, by some Doris in a Micra who doesn't enjoy the act of driving in the same way as I do.
It's not about going fast, but about having the choice. I like to think I make better choices about speed/gear into a bend, and throttle application out of said bend. I like to accelerate briskly, and move swiftly through the gears. Not always possible with a moomin ahead of you. The last time I went for a 'play' on the A4069 I had great fun until I got stuck going up behind a camper van, so, I parked up at the top, and gave it a chance to get off the hill, before picking up where I left off. Overtaking such a wide, unwieldy wagon wasn't appropriate at the time, and it's lack of speed was understandable. As I came off the hill, I was held up by two imbeciles (a VW Sharon and a first gen Focus) who were 'using the full width of the road' on even the slightest bend, despite never getting over 40mph. I managed to pass the Sharan, but it became apparent that the Focus was deliberately preventing my (clearly signalled) intention to pass. Why bother? If you don't have the stones, or the grip/handling, to drive that road quickly, why deliberately obstruct someone who can? It's pointless, and when I eventually did get past, he disappeared in my mirrors faster than you can blink, (along with the unrestrained child in his rear seat). Contrast that with my journey in the opposite direction two days earlier, when two drivers ahead of me (separately) indicated left and waved me through as soon as they'd clocked me catching them in their mirrors. The occupants of these two cars were more interested in the scenery than the driving, yet they didn't feel it necessary to get in the way of someone with a different set of priorities.
I get quite irate at idiots who speed down local roads, at 40/50mph in a 30 limit, who overtake on a long straight stretch. It's not appropriate, as there are several side turns, and every house has a driveway from which a car could emerge without warning, but one thing I won't do is try to block them from an overtake. I'll activate the speed limiter, and hold it exactly at 30, but I cannot even consider the idea of physically manoeuvring my car such that it would prevent them from passing. That would be insane.
There's always a start point for a convoy of slow traffic, whether it be an HGV, a caravanner, or just someone who's not in a rush. Get lucky and be the first one to arrive behind the slow vehicle, and you can overtake at your leisure and have an open road ahead. If you are unlucky, the slow vehicle has already been caught by half a dozen droogs who either can't be bothered, or who lack the skill/performance to overtake.
If you 'hop' down the queue you eventually arrive at the cause, and put in one last pass, 'et voilà!' the road ahead is clear, and you can relax into YOUR drive without worrying about the inappropriate braking of the car ahead, or wondering why/when someone ahead will do something silly and you'll be stuck behind a multi car accident.
Personally, I'm not big on speeding. I've had points and a SAC in the past. Nowadays I just want to drive somewhere near the limit, within my, and my car's capabilities, and judge for myself what speed to pursue into a series of bends, or when and how much to push the throttle on an exit. I don't want those decisions dictated to me, or compromised, by some Doris in a Micra who doesn't enjoy the act of driving in the same way as I do.
It's not about going fast, but about having the choice. I like to think I make better choices about speed/gear into a bend, and throttle application out of said bend. I like to accelerate briskly, and move swiftly through the gears. Not always possible with a moomin ahead of you. The last time I went for a 'play' on the A4069 I had great fun until I got stuck going up behind a camper van, so, I parked up at the top, and gave it a chance to get off the hill, before picking up where I left off. Overtaking such a wide, unwieldy wagon wasn't appropriate at the time, and it's lack of speed was understandable. As I came off the hill, I was held up by two imbeciles (a VW Sharon and a first gen Focus) who were 'using the full width of the road' on even the slightest bend, despite never getting over 40mph. I managed to pass the Sharan, but it became apparent that the Focus was deliberately preventing my (clearly signalled) intention to pass. Why bother? If you don't have the stones, or the grip/handling, to drive that road quickly, why deliberately obstruct someone who can? It's pointless, and when I eventually did get past, he disappeared in my mirrors faster than you can blink, (along with the unrestrained child in his rear seat). Contrast that with my journey in the opposite direction two days earlier, when two drivers ahead of me (separately) indicated left and waved me through as soon as they'd clocked me catching them in their mirrors. The occupants of these two cars were more interested in the scenery than the driving, yet they didn't feel it necessary to get in the way of someone with a different set of priorities.
I get quite irate at idiots who speed down local roads, at 40/50mph in a 30 limit, who overtake on a long straight stretch. It's not appropriate, as there are several side turns, and every house has a driveway from which a car could emerge without warning, but one thing I won't do is try to block them from an overtake. I'll activate the speed limiter, and hold it exactly at 30, but I cannot even consider the idea of physically manoeuvring my car such that it would prevent them from passing. That would be insane.
blueg33 said:
Surely the answer to that is so you can move up the line of traffic and eventually pass the slow thing at the front getting a clear road to enjoy.
I do it all the time on long trips, it may take 5 or 10 overtakes to get to the front. There is no reason to wait for everyone else especially if they show no signs of overtaking.
But that's not what was implied. I agree with you toally, skip down they queue by all means but why skip down it when you have to jam on the anchors worrying whether or not your brakes can save you, which is what was implied. In that situation it'd be better to wait to get to an appropriate section of road where you can slip in and out freely rather than cracking an overtake only to stuff it into the @rse of the car in front of the said overtaken.I do it all the time on long trips, it may take 5 or 10 overtakes to get to the front. There is no reason to wait for everyone else especially if they show no signs of overtaking.
If you are stuck behind a long line of cars either do them all at once or nip up the queue by slotting into suitable gaps rather than 'vroooom screech, vroom screech'. Overtaking shouldn't be a case of immense power and then immense braking, it should be sensible speed (within the limit of course) that isn't double that of the car you are overtaking so that you can slow gradually into a gap without affecting the person behind you. Alternately use the filter lanes at traffic lights like they are intended.
Panda P said:
But that's not what was implied. I agree with you toally, skip down they queue by all means but why skip down it when you have to jam on the anchors worrying whether or not your brakes can save you, which is what was implied. In that situation it'd be better to wait to get to an appropriate section of road where you can slip in and out freely rather than cracking an overtake only to stuff it into the @rse of the car in front of the said overtaken.
If you are stuck behind a long line of cars either do them all at once or nip up the queue by slotting into suitable gaps rather than 'vroooom screech, vroom screech'. Overtaking shouldn't be a case of immense power and then immense braking, it should be sensible speed (within the limit of course) that isn't double that of the car you are overtaking so that you can slow gradually into a gap without affecting the person behind you. Alternately use the filter lanes at traffic lights like they are intended.
Yes, fair points, personally I try and ensure that none of my overtakes cause anyone else to brake or slow downIf you are stuck behind a long line of cars either do them all at once or nip up the queue by slotting into suitable gaps rather than 'vroooom screech, vroom screech'. Overtaking shouldn't be a case of immense power and then immense braking, it should be sensible speed (within the limit of course) that isn't double that of the car you are overtaking so that you can slow gradually into a gap without affecting the person behind you. Alternately use the filter lanes at traffic lights like they are intended.
airbusA346 said:
bodhi said:
And the good old British strategy of completely ignoring what's in the Highway Code.
I will admit I'm often the person in the right lane trying to merge - the council provided two lanes for us to use, so lets use them. I had one stupid old cretin trying to stop me from merging last Saturday coming out of Stafford - every time I inched forward with the traffic, he moved forward too. Eyes forward, no acknowledgement, just moving his car in a way that made it clear I wasn't getting in.
Thankfully, in front of him was an E39 I had let in previously round town, who saw what was going on, and very kindly let me in, 3 cars ahead of the doddering old fool I was waving a Highway Code at.
If you block traffic from merging you are making the congestion infinitely worse, and shouldn't really be allowed on the roads. Just let them in and let everyone get on with their days. Hardly rocket science.
It was on the A34 going North towards Stone, just coming up to the roadworks at the M6/Beaconside roundabout. Happens all the time outside Sainsbury's too. It does seem that the driving standards in Stafford are either excellent or appauling, with nothing in between. Unfortunately on a Saturday morning it veers towards the appauling category....I will admit I'm often the person in the right lane trying to merge - the council provided two lanes for us to use, so lets use them. I had one stupid old cretin trying to stop me from merging last Saturday coming out of Stafford - every time I inched forward with the traffic, he moved forward too. Eyes forward, no acknowledgement, just moving his car in a way that made it clear I wasn't getting in.
Thankfully, in front of him was an E39 I had let in previously round town, who saw what was going on, and very kindly let me in, 3 cars ahead of the doddering old fool I was waving a Highway Code at.
If you block traffic from merging you are making the congestion infinitely worse, and shouldn't really be allowed on the roads. Just let them in and let everyone get on with their days. Hardly rocket science.
Where abouts was this in Stafford
This is a very frustrating topic. This and - as has also been illustrated - the way people on motorways speed up when you go to overtake is a pain. It's almost as bad as those who don't overtake... who just stick to your rear even if you make it safe for them to pass. I don't get it.
Get a motorbike 
It really is amazing how many cars see a bike in their mirrors and pull well over to the left to allow me to filter through. I always give a wave of thanks (mainly thanks that they were paying enough attention to actually notice a motorbike in the first place).
And if they don't pull over, there isn't much that stays in front of an accelerating bike.
It really is amazing how many cars see a bike in their mirrors and pull well over to the left to allow me to filter through. I always give a wave of thanks (mainly thanks that they were paying enough attention to actually notice a motorbike in the first place).
And if they don't pull over, there isn't much that stays in front of an accelerating bike.
boyse7en said:
Get a motorbike
This. I hate being stuck behind queues of sheep. It's amazing the amount of progress that can be made through traffic on a bike.Unfortunately having commuted exclusively by bike for many years now, i can't possibly go back to using a car.
People generally move out of the way quicker too on dual carriageways, and the fantastic in-gear acceleration between 50 and 90 means that zipping past is just a matter of a slight twist of the throttle.
boyse7en said:
Get a motorbike
It really is amazing how many cars see a bike in their mirrors and pull well over to the left to allow me to filter through. I always give a wave of thanks (mainly thanks that they were paying enough attention to actually notice a motorbike in the first place).
And if they don't pull over, there isn't much that stays in front of an accelerating bike.
I always let the bikes through with a slight move towards the kerb. However, when sat in traffic approaching Windsor on Sunday (both lanes chocker) I saw a guy in a Toyota pull back into the middle to stop a moped cutting through the middle. The biker was in a right pickle, very close to the cars wing mirror while the driver carefully closed the gap with a look in the mirror squeezing the gap between cars shut. What a prick, if it is you out there feel very ashamed.It really is amazing how many cars see a bike in their mirrors and pull well over to the left to allow me to filter through. I always give a wave of thanks (mainly thanks that they were paying enough attention to actually notice a motorbike in the first place).
And if they don't pull over, there isn't much that stays in front of an accelerating bike.
Johnnytheboy said:
I wonder why people don't see bikes as "jumping the queue"?
Some do - when I was filtering through traffic to work some nice chap decided to turn to stop me, wind his window down and yell at me to take my turn like everyone else 
I suspect he and many others have "issues"...
GadgeS3C said:
Johnnytheboy said:
I wonder why people don't see bikes as "jumping the queue"?
Some do - when I was filtering through traffic to work some nice chap decided to turn to stop me, wind his window down and yell at me to take my turn like everyone else I suspect he and many others have "issues"...
GadgeS3C said:
Johnnytheboy said:
I wonder why people don't see bikes as "jumping the queue"?
Some do - when I was filtering through traffic to work some nice chap decided to turn to stop me, wind his window down and yell at me to take my turn like everyone else I suspect he and many others have "issues"...
I very often use this as a decent way of knowing who i should try and overtake when the traffic clears up.
PumpkinSteve said:
Had a Zafira driver doing 30mph on a 60mph road trying to out-accelerate me as I went to overtake. f
king aholes.
I had this recently - some fool attempted to block me, then accelerated (on a dual carriageway, mind! when I got past). Went past at at full chat - and then gradually slowed to 20mph. I was making no attempt to block him - simply crawling along to irritate him. He refused to overtake, simply going apoplectic with rage behind me. Sped up and disappeared when I saw traffic approach behind him.king aholes.Immature? Yes. Satisfying? Absolutely!
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff