Slow drivers on country lanes
Discussion
TwigtheWonderkid said:
If someone wants to do 55 on a d/c, why should they do 58 to please you? I agree that 20/30 mph would be ridiculous but 55 in a 70 is just fine if that's where they feel comfortable. I don't have an issue with it, even though it's slower than I would choose to go.
Courtesy for other road users?As mentioned above, driving slower than large lorries means they will pull out to overtake, thus holding up faster moving traffic.
I too have no issue with people driving at a speed they are uncomfortable with (within reason), but to do so knowing that they are holding up other traffic, or causing other vehicles to take avoiding action which impedes the traffic flow is just ignorant and discourteous.
Unfortunately, it's the mindset of far too many drivers on our roads, who are simply to self absorbed to anticipate anything past the end of their own bonnet, and even if they did realise the effect their actions were having on others, they wouldn't give a toss anyway
Conscript said:
Courtesy for other road users?
As mentioned above, driving slower than large lorries means they will pull out to overtake, thus holding up faster moving traffic.
I too have no issue with people driving at a speed they are uncomfortable with (within reason), but to do so knowing that they are holding up other traffic, or causing other vehicles to take avoiding action which impedes the traffic flow is just ignorant and discourteous.
Unfortunately, it's the mindset of far too many drivers on our roads, who are simply to self absorbed to anticipate anything past the end of their own bonnet, and even if they did realise the effect their actions were having on others, they wouldn't give a toss anyway
My point was that I slot in and maintain their speed, in my car 55mph on cruise matches the speed of most wagons.As mentioned above, driving slower than large lorries means they will pull out to overtake, thus holding up faster moving traffic.
I too have no issue with people driving at a speed they are uncomfortable with (within reason), but to do so knowing that they are holding up other traffic, or causing other vehicles to take avoiding action which impedes the traffic flow is just ignorant and discourteous.
Unfortunately, it's the mindset of far too many drivers on our roads, who are simply to self absorbed to anticipate anything past the end of their own bonnet, and even if they did realise the effect their actions were having on others, they wouldn't give a toss anyway
I can't be bothered with the outside lane most days, as mentioned, I leave it to the the TD heroes
Perhaps I should point out that on my 13.5 mile commute, today at 6pm I saw no wagons on the inside lane at all, does that make it better?
Edited by MuZiZZle on Sunday 21st September 22:22
MuZiZZle said:
Conscript said:
Courtesy for other road users?
As mentioned above, driving slower than large lorries means they will pull out to overtake, thus holding up faster moving traffic.
I too have no issue with people driving at a speed they are uncomfortable with (within reason), but to do so knowing that they are holding up other traffic, or causing other vehicles to take avoiding action which impedes the traffic flow is just ignorant and discourteous.
Unfortunately, it's the mindset of far too many drivers on our roads, who are simply to self absorbed to anticipate anything past the end of their own bonnet, and even if they did realise the effect their actions were having on others, they wouldn't give a toss anyway
My point was that I slot in and maintain their speed, in my car 55mph on cruise matches the speed of most wagons.As mentioned above, driving slower than large lorries means they will pull out to overtake, thus holding up faster moving traffic.
I too have no issue with people driving at a speed they are uncomfortable with (within reason), but to do so knowing that they are holding up other traffic, or causing other vehicles to take avoiding action which impedes the traffic flow is just ignorant and discourteous.
Unfortunately, it's the mindset of far too many drivers on our roads, who are simply to self absorbed to anticipate anything past the end of their own bonnet, and even if they did realise the effect their actions were having on others, they wouldn't give a toss anyway
I can't be bothered with the outside lane most days, as mentioned, I leave it to the the TD heroes
Perhaps I should point out that on my 13.5 mile commute, today at 6pm I saw no wagons on the inside lane at all, does that make it better?
Edited by MuZiZZle on Sunday 21st September 22:22
kuro said:
Took my mx5 down to my local beach with my youngest daughter today. Looking forward to the drive as the weather is still good. Unfortunately on the way there and back I was stuck behind slower than a slow thing drivers.
Now I dont want to drive like an F1 driver but I do want to travel at a reasonable pace and enjoy the car, In the end I was nearly screaming. Do these people not realise the frustration they cause.
Some of the country lanes I have driving on in this area 40mph should be the limit.It is ok for the locals who know every twist and turn in the road.If I am not sure I slow down.I can see your point with some drivers. I followed one the other day,nice stretch of road 60mph limit and he or she is poodling along at 40mph.Maybe I am contradicting myself.>Now I dont want to drive like an F1 driver but I do want to travel at a reasonable pace and enjoy the car, In the end I was nearly screaming. Do these people not realise the frustration they cause.
All that jazz said:
MuZiZZle said:
Conscript said:
Courtesy for other road users?
As mentioned above, driving slower than large lorries means they will pull out to overtake, thus holding up faster moving traffic.
I too have no issue with people driving at a speed they are uncomfortable with (within reason), but to do so knowing that they are holding up other traffic, or causing other vehicles to take avoiding action which impedes the traffic flow is just ignorant and discourteous.
Unfortunately, it's the mindset of far too many drivers on our roads, who are simply to self absorbed to anticipate anything past the end of their own bonnet, and even if they did realise the effect their actions were having on others, they wouldn't give a toss anyway
My point was that I slot in and maintain their speed, in my car 55mph on cruise matches the speed of most wagons.As mentioned above, driving slower than large lorries means they will pull out to overtake, thus holding up faster moving traffic.
I too have no issue with people driving at a speed they are uncomfortable with (within reason), but to do so knowing that they are holding up other traffic, or causing other vehicles to take avoiding action which impedes the traffic flow is just ignorant and discourteous.
Unfortunately, it's the mindset of far too many drivers on our roads, who are simply to self absorbed to anticipate anything past the end of their own bonnet, and even if they did realise the effect their actions were having on others, they wouldn't give a toss anyway
I can't be bothered with the outside lane most days, as mentioned, I leave it to the the TD heroes
Perhaps I should point out that on my 13.5 mile commute, today at 6pm I saw no wagons on the inside lane at all, does that make it better?
Edited by MuZiZZle on Sunday 21st September 22:22
I'm rather puzzled how this topic has gone from country lanes to what seems like a personal attack on MuZiZZle for traveling at lorry speed on a DC? IMO Muz is doing no harm at 55/56 he shouldn't be holding up speed limited vehicles and is not in the way of any one else.
The bigger trouble makers in these situations are the Mr Magoos traveling at less than 50 causing the lorries to over take. And on the flip side the tailgaters, who are responsible for the brake light ripple effect and are probably causing "ghost" traffic jams by being impatient.
Back on topic, when I was young I used to terrorise the Lanes of Berkshire with forays into Hants and Oxfordshire in my 998cc Mini. I knew what the NSL was and did my best to exceed it, when ever safe-ish to do so (not easy with just 45 bhp!). I'm a bit surprised reading comments from people on PH about pottering on country lanes, whats wrong with you? Have you no petrol in your veins?!
The bigger trouble makers in these situations are the Mr Magoos traveling at less than 50 causing the lorries to over take. And on the flip side the tailgaters, who are responsible for the brake light ripple effect and are probably causing "ghost" traffic jams by being impatient.
Back on topic, when I was young I used to terrorise the Lanes of Berkshire with forays into Hants and Oxfordshire in my 998cc Mini. I knew what the NSL was and did my best to exceed it, when ever safe-ish to do so (not easy with just 45 bhp!). I'm a bit surprised reading comments from people on PH about pottering on country lanes, whats wrong with you? Have you no petrol in your veins?!
TwigtheWonderkid said:
How is he causing mayhem? I don't know what your definition of mayhem is, but in my world, mayhem is usually caused by people travelling too fast for the road they are on, not too slow
I'm assuming All that Jazz is a lorry driver.Calling it "mayhem" might be hyperbole, but it's obvious to anyone who has spent any time on a motorway/dual carriageway the problems that can be caused when a lorry decides to overtake a slightly slower vehicle and the effect it has on other road users.
Doing so and failing to anticipate the problems it can cause for other road users is selfish, and the attitude that "Why should anyone do X to please other drivers" is symptomatic of the arrogance of a lot of British road users, in my view - an absolute stubbornness to attempt to anticipate how their actions affect the progress of others.
EDIT: My comments aren't an attack on Muzzizzle btw. As long as he's sure he isn't causing other lorry drivers to overtake, fair enough. My comments were more aimed at those condoning similar behaviour when it does have an obvious affect on traffic flow.
To many people have lost the ability to judge what is an appropriate pace independent of a tin sign.
Recurrent argument in the local paper about one road where the limit increases from a reasonably appropriate 40 to a similar 50.
The argument arises because in the middle of the stretch of 50 there are a couple of off camber uphill /downhill bends where 50 is too quick especially as it's under trees and usually a bit damp.
The other thing about the argument in this thread is that it's all relative to what one considers as a country lane. Opposite Chez FiF is a network of single track lanes between banks and hedges where if you meet a dog walker the ONLY sensible option is to stop and let them past. Yet you still get idiots up at speeds that would put them straight into a tractor passing many hidden field entrances. It's not about driving down a road as fast as it's physically possible.
Recurrent argument in the local paper about one road where the limit increases from a reasonably appropriate 40 to a similar 50.
The argument arises because in the middle of the stretch of 50 there are a couple of off camber uphill /downhill bends where 50 is too quick especially as it's under trees and usually a bit damp.
The other thing about the argument in this thread is that it's all relative to what one considers as a country lane. Opposite Chez FiF is a network of single track lanes between banks and hedges where if you meet a dog walker the ONLY sensible option is to stop and let them past. Yet you still get idiots up at speeds that would put them straight into a tractor passing many hidden field entrances. It's not about driving down a road as fast as it's physically possible.
FiF said:
To many people have lost the ability to judge what is an appropriate pace independent of a tin sign.
Recurrent argument in the local paper about one road where the limit increases from a reasonably appropriate 40 to a similar 50.
The argument arises because in the middle of the stretch of 50 there are a couple of off camber uphill /downhill bends where 50 is too quick especially as it's under trees and usually a bit damp.
The other thing about the argument in this thread is that it's all relative to what one considers as a country lane. Opposite Chez FiF is a network of single track lanes between banks and hedges where if you meet a dog walker the ONLY sensible option is to stop and let them past. Yet you still get idiots up at speeds that would put them straight into a tractor passing many hidden field entrances. It's not about driving down a road as fast as it's physically possible.
Very much this. To me, a "country lane" means a winding, single track road, often with poorly edged surfacing and potholes and flanked by tall hedgerows which completely limit visibility on every corner and conceal entrances.Recurrent argument in the local paper about one road where the limit increases from a reasonably appropriate 40 to a similar 50.
The argument arises because in the middle of the stretch of 50 there are a couple of off camber uphill /downhill bends where 50 is too quick especially as it's under trees and usually a bit damp.
The other thing about the argument in this thread is that it's all relative to what one considers as a country lane. Opposite Chez FiF is a network of single track lanes between banks and hedges where if you meet a dog walker the ONLY sensible option is to stop and let them past. Yet you still get idiots up at speeds that would put them straight into a tractor passing many hidden field entrances. It's not about driving down a road as fast as it's physically possible.
Such are a lot of the country lanes in Kent, and although most of them are classified as NSL, to get anywhere near 60MPH would be completely ludicrous. Which is why I did laugh when someone's response to the OP was simply "why didn't you just overtake?". Obviously their 'country lanes' are much bigger
Having had one head on where I thought I was going slowly enough- 25 mph or less- on the archetypal country lane (too narrow for two cars , bad visibility ) and having seen many others from making exactly the same mistake too much speed in the wrong place is the common factor in nearly all of the shunts I have seen on country roads.Quite a few as my commute for 20 odd years involved a 20 mile round trip on narrow lanes , often early am and late pm with poor light.Not interested in what rocket ship you drive or how cat like your reactions are if you cannot stop in the space you can see then it will end in tears. Add in some black ice- OMG why isn't the road salted ??? I thought it would be but then my steering went funny and the brakes didn't work I thought my 4wd would look after me... - and it is endlessly eventful.
Hmmmm interesting thread and I’m wondering if I need a few of these 
at an attempt to get it back on track...
We visit the Lake District every so often and try and do a different things every time we go. As such the routes are different.
It seems that no matter how twisty and narrow the roads are there is always a local (I assume) right up my jacksy and who clearly must be able to drive the route in their sleep. I feel I’m ‘on the edge’ of how quick I can go yet there is no relenting from said tailgater. Obviously when conditions permit I will pull over and let them past but not all are confident overtakers it would seem and will follow you for miles before eventually turning off or doing a risky overtake. I’ve slowed to a complete stop on clear straights before now, whilst indicating, to try and get the message across!
I’m just wondering if it’s me being c**p, the limits of the car (1.6 derv i30) or them just being more familiar but like I say I feel I’m at the limit all the time and don’t dawdle along admiring the view.
I might even start a ‘What Car’ thread for the Lake District!
at an attempt to get it back on track...We visit the Lake District every so often and try and do a different things every time we go. As such the routes are different.
It seems that no matter how twisty and narrow the roads are there is always a local (I assume) right up my jacksy and who clearly must be able to drive the route in their sleep. I feel I’m ‘on the edge’ of how quick I can go yet there is no relenting from said tailgater. Obviously when conditions permit I will pull over and let them past but not all are confident overtakers it would seem and will follow you for miles before eventually turning off or doing a risky overtake. I’ve slowed to a complete stop on clear straights before now, whilst indicating, to try and get the message across!
I’m just wondering if it’s me being c**p, the limits of the car (1.6 derv i30) or them just being more familiar but like I say I feel I’m at the limit all the time and don’t dawdle along admiring the view.
I might even start a ‘What Car’ thread for the Lake District!
Mephistofleas said:
Hmmmm interesting thread and I’m wondering if I need a few of these at an attempt to get it back on track...
We visit the Lake District every so often and try and do a different things every time we go. As such the routes are different.
It seems that no matter how twisty and narrow the roads are there is always a local (I assume) right up my jacksy and who clearly must be able to drive the route in their sleep. I feel I’m ‘on the edge’ of how quick I can go yet there is no relenting from said tailgater. Obviously when conditions permit I will pull over and let them past but not all are confident overtakers it would seem and will follow you for miles before eventually turning off or doing a risky overtake. I’ve slowed to a complete stop on clear straights before now, whilst indicating, to try and get the message across!
I’m just wondering if it’s me being c**p, the limits of the car (1.6 derv i30) or them just being more familiar but like I say I feel I’m at the limit all the time and don’t dawdle along admiring the view.
I might even start a ‘What Car’ thread for the Lake District!
It's usually much easier to follow and it's probably particularly easy to follow your car closely, irrespective of your driving abilities. In my youth I've returned the favour in the probably misguided hope it would p at an attempt to get it back on track...We visit the Lake District every so often and try and do a different things every time we go. As such the routes are different.
It seems that no matter how twisty and narrow the roads are there is always a local (I assume) right up my jacksy and who clearly must be able to drive the route in their sleep. I feel I’m ‘on the edge’ of how quick I can go yet there is no relenting from said tailgater. Obviously when conditions permit I will pull over and let them past but not all are confident overtakers it would seem and will follow you for miles before eventually turning off or doing a risky overtake. I’ve slowed to a complete stop on clear straights before now, whilst indicating, to try and get the message across!
I’m just wondering if it’s me being c**p, the limits of the car (1.6 derv i30) or them just being more familiar but like I say I feel I’m at the limit all the time and don’t dawdle along admiring the view.
I might even start a ‘What Car’ thread for the Lake District!
s off the now tailgated tailgater. Now I just ignore them and drive at whatever pace I deem to be appropriate.Mephistofleas said:
I’m just wondering if it’s me being c**p, the limits of the car (1.6 derv i30) or them just being more familiar but like I say I feel I’m at the limit all the time and don’t dawdle along admiring the view.
I would suggest it's down to knowing the roads. Probably any of us PHer would be able to hamper around the country lanes on our back door if you know them. There is a line however as to how slow you can around there. I've been stuck behind some i10 before doing around 15mph round some tightish bends. Almost got re-ended. And yes, this is when some jump on and say the other driver was going to fast behind me, but you shouldn't expect someone going that slow; and he did stop, just.
And kudos for pulling over and letting people past. I'd like to think I drive quite quick; but as others have mentioned about Devon; I struggled to keep up, or not hold up the locals. No harm in letting them by. Just wish more non-locals would do that.
Then people wonder why most collisions happen within a few miles from the driver's home. Hampering down a country lane just because you know it, if the speed is in excess of that in which you can stop in the distance you can see to be clear and will remain clear is just stupid and gets the rest of us a bad name. You should allow for the possibility of a vehicle, hitherto unseen, appearing and travelling at the maximum speed it is physically possible to traverse the road.
FiF said:
Then people wonder why most collisions happen within a few miles from the driver's home. Hampering down a country lane just because you know it, if the speed is in excess of that in which you can stop in the distance you can see to be clear and will remain clear is just stupid and gets the rest of us a bad name. You should allow for the possibility of a vehicle, hitherto unseen, appearing and travelling at the maximum speed it is physically possible to traverse the road.
+1Thinking it's important to 'know the road' is a sure sign of a bad driver.
FiF said:
Then people wonder why most collisions happen within a few miles from the driver's home. Hampering down a country lane just because you know it, if the speed is in excess of that in which you can stop in the distance you can see to be clear and will remain clear is just stupid and gets the rest of us a bad name. You should allow for the possibility of a vehicle, hitherto unseen, appearing and travelling at the maximum speed it is physically possible to traverse the road.
Is that why NSL roads are safer Do you think
Its an NSL road, better be careful, there might be something around the next corner or someone coming max speed the other way
or
it's only a sleepy 40 not much will happen here <plays with radio, bag of sweets> where did that car/bike/kid/tractor come from
EFFiF
Edited by saaby93 on Monday 22 September 18:52
saaby93 said:
FiF said:
Then people wonder why most collisions happen within a few miles from the driver's home. Hampering down a country lane just because you know it, if the speed is in excess of that in which you can stop in the distance you can see to be clear and will remain clear is just stupid and gets the rest of us a bad name. You should allow for the possibility of a vehicle, hitherto unseen, appearing and travelling at the maximum speed it is physically possible to traverse the road.
Thats why NSL roads are safer Do you think
Its an NSL road, better be careful someone might be coming max speed the other way
or
it's only a sleepy 40 not much will happen here <plays with radio, bag of sweets> where did that car/bike/kid/tractor come from
Most country lanes are NSL but you'd need an F1 car to achieve 60 on some round here and even then it'd end badly as you'd restyle the front wing on a tractor.....The key point is not speed in an absolute sense but for the environment in which you are driving - I would happily do 100mph on nearby dual c/way , even though illegal , but a free F458 wouldn't make me do a legal 45 on many local roads
Dr Jekyll said:
+1
Thinking it's important to 'know the road' is a sure sign of a bad driver.
"Knowing the road" can also mean that you know when you are approaching a suitable, potential overtaking spot or where there is a particularly big pothole or section of loose gravel. That's not a bad thing.Thinking it's important to 'know the road' is a sure sign of a bad driver.
Everybody should still drive to the forward vision though.
On some of the narrower roads near where I live, many people appear to drive around blind bends as if nothing is going to come the opposite way and look shocked when something dies and averting actions are required. Peculiar.
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