People that drive 50 on motorways - why?

[Meridius]

Same reason some people drive 90 on the motorways, because they are a bit of a prat.

[Mr2Mike]

Meridius said:

Same reason some people drive 90 on the motorways, because they are a bit of a prat.

Basically anyone that doesn't drive at the same speed as you is a prat?

Anyone driving so slowly that HGVs aare having to overtake them shouldn't be behind a wheel, but there's nothing wrong with 60-65 mph if good lane discipline is being exercised. You can also drive safely and considerately at 90mph, conditions permitting.

[AlexRS2782]

I wish you'd make up your mind on what sort of speed is / isn't acceptable OP

So far you've started repeated threads in SP&L complaining about people speeding, how people exceeding the current speed limits are really dangerous, compared speeding motorists to drink drivers, stated how speeding is pointless because it only saves you an average of 2 hours in journey times, etc.

Then you start a thread about how you love the feel of aggressive acceleration & braking and being right on the edge on your bike whilst the tyres struggle for grip which seems about as dangerous as people speeding, if your feelings on users on previous threads are anything to go by

Now you're starting a thread complaining about people NOT exceeding the speed limit and instead driving under it and saying how that is dangerous, wastes valuable travel time, etc.

[lee_fr200]

Got to be honest my dad does this

But then he puts pics on fb telling me he's got 45mpg out of his Range Rover sport (quite impressive that figure tbh)
And why do I struggle to get mid 30s out of my gti

[Esceptico]

AlexRS2782 said:

I wish you'd make up your mind on what sort of speed is / isn't acceptable OP

So far you've started repeated threads in SP&L complaining about people speeding, how people exceeding the current speed limits are really dangerous, compared speeding motorists to drink drivers, stated how speeding is pointless because it only saves you an average of 2 hours in journey times, etc.

Then you start a thread about how you love the feel of aggressive acceleration & braking and being right on the edge on your bike whilst the tyres struggle for grip which seems about as dangerous as people speeding, if your feelings on users on previous threads are anything to go by

Now you're starting a thread complaining about people NOT exceeding the speed limit and instead driving under it and saying how that is dangerous, wastes valuable travel time, etc.

Most of the above not accurate. I have started threads about people making up or believing nonsense about speeding or threads showing frustration with people whinging about the UK system (which having experienced other countries seems really lenient and much more lenient than it could be if politicians really cared about speeding). I've not had a go at people speeding (if done safely). Even on this thread,
I don't care if people want to bimble along at 50 on an EMPTY motorway, where it doesn't affect others. My beef is with inconsiderate drivers doing 50-55 on a busy motorway where that causes them to be overtaken by lorries, which affects other car drivers. Same as I don't care if someone does 90-100 if driving well but I do care if in heavy traffic if they are driving aggressively (bullying people to get out of their way, undertaking, etc).

[SEE YA]

The thing is, anyone can find fault with someone's driving.
Just overtake and get on with your life.

[The Wookie]

Esceptico said:

Why do people do this? It is so annoying having cars driving at 50-55 such that lorries are forced to overtake (and hold everyone else up whilst they do). Is it for fuel economy reasons? But surely driving 55 rather than 60 can't make much of a difference. Or do they lack confidence? But even then, if I were lacking in confidence I'm not sure I would want to be overtaken by trucks and lorries all the time.

So overall judging by the responses OP the answer is tight arses and people that have nothing better to do than sit on the motorway all day

[powerstroke]

Best you guys weren't on the M40 last evening! apart from the trucks I was going slowly at 75 judging by the number of cars and vans that came past like I was stood still ....

[leggly]

sim72 said:

leggly said:

You should try driving one of those lorries, these people are a real pain in the neck. Along with cars that like to dive in front at average speed cameras, slam the brakes on and do 45,48,35,40MPH for the duration of limit (I won't say roadworks as I've never seen any being done in them).

Just overtake them. Most HGVs I've seen in roadworks just carry on doing 56, they know they won't be caught by the cameras.

Width restrictions don't always allow us to overtake in average speed zones.

[anonymous-user]

The Wookie said:

So overall judging by the responses OP the answer is tight arses and people that have nothing better to do than sit on the motorway all day

To get amusement from irritating and delaying others.

[spookly]

TwigtheWonderkid said:

You would also fail your driving test for tuning in your radio, driving with your elbow out of the window, and a million other things that we do quite happily once we've passed our test. So what's your point?

A driving test is about showing you can do things. There is no need to keep doing them once you've passed if you choose not to. If you don't like doing 3 point turns, you don't have to do them, just because you did on your driving test.

And you shouldn't be doing any of those things either. And as long as you do those things without losing control or concentration then you don't affect anyone else.

Driving so slowly on the motorway when it is clear to go faster holds everyone up.

[MikeTFSI]

It not how fast or slow drivers are, it's if they are 'dangerously inconveniencing' others. I have a self imposed rule that I won't get in anyone's way unless necessary. This applies if I am racing up the road at a massive 70mph, or crawling along at a sloth like 60mph. Joking aside, I try to make sure I'm not the cause of the road rage that others experience.

If I need to eke out a bit more from a tank I will tag on to a lorry (obviously not tailgating!). This is few and far between however as I very rarely am that unprepared to not have enough fuel. There is no problem with this as I am never in anyone's way (except the morons that cut across just before an exit).

If I am driving at outside lane speeds I am constantly aware that others might be going faster than I am, so I move across at the first opportunity to make space.

Multi Lane motorways aren't really problem however, it's duel carriage ways or single lane roads where dawdlers are a problem. Sadly it seems a great proportion of drivers are not aware of their surroundings and if they are causing a nuisance to others, they don't care or are bathing in self righteous arrogance. So this is the real problem, we are a nation of inconsiderate drivers regardless of the speed we drive at and of course it is all everyone else's fault.

I'm so glad I live in a rural location though, nice quiet roads to enjoy.

[dcb]

Riktoid said:

If you can't/won't keep up with 'normal' traffic speeds on the dc or mw you simply shouldn't be on it.

+1

I suspect that if you can't keep up with the lorries at 56 mph, you shouldn't be on
the motorway / dc. There are plenty of other routes more suited to your speed.

It is somewhat anti-social to be driving a car slow enough to have a lorry overtake you.
Overtaking lorries cause plenty of other folks to have to slow down.

Off topic, but I've thought for years that we ought to have lorries confined to lane 1. It has
worked well in Germany and other places for decades.

[AH33]

I'm glad I don't have to drive on busy motorways any more, my default setting would be 80-90. The ONE time I did 50 on an empty motorway was the time I almost ran out of fuel and didn't know where the closest station was.

Doing 50 on the motorway is the behaviour of frightened old people and inexperienced teen melts.

[jmorgan]

leggly said:

jmorgan said:

Work around them, not hard. Its the ones that play along the 54-57 mph that are a pain.

It is if you're restricted to the inside lane.

Ah, not considered that and that would be a pain. Who is hobbled to the inside lane?

[mwstewart]

50 and 60, on a motorway, in a modern car? Utterly selfish IMO. Keep off DC's and motorways.

[drivin_me_nuts]

Riktoid said:

If you can't/won't keep up with 'normal' traffic speeds on the dc or mw you simply shouldn't be on it.

Usually the 50 mphers are the tits who won't move over to allow others to exit the slip road.

Or you could simply plan your exit and not be one of those who seem incapable of moving lane without inconveniencing others. It's not that difficult really. I do believe basic manoeuvres are taught early on in driving lessons.

[Mr2Mike]

mwstewart said:

50 and 60, on a motorway, in a modern car? Utterly selfish IMO. Keep off DC's and motorways.

Provided these people are sticking primarily to L1 and not causing HGVs to overtake them, could you explain how this is selfish as I don't see it?

[mwstewart]

Mr2Mike said:

Provided these people are sticking primarily to L1 and not causing HGVs to overtake them, could you explain how this is selfish as I don't see it?

It forces everyone behind to overtake and block L2 and L3, rather than keeping most traffic moving at a reasonable pace.

It adds another slow moving vehicle to the gaps between HGVS that prevents other drivers pulling in to keep traffic moving in the outside lane.

HGVs are going to overtake each other (groan) and now these inconsiderate dawdellers too.

It's plain stupid behaviour. Double carriageway roads are for covering long distances at higher speed, hence the 70 limit.

[Ste1987]

Mr2Mike said:

mwstewart said:

50 and 60, on a motorway, in a modern car? Utterly selfish IMO. Keep off DC's and motorways.

Provided these people are sticking primarily to L1 and not causing HGVs to overtake them, could you explain how this is selfish as I don't see it?

Lorry does 60mph and no one bats an eye. Car does 60mph and everyone loses their minds!

I admit I'm one of the 60mph brigade, though I do have some consideration when overtaking by keeping up to speed with the middle lane