An epidemic of insanely slow drivers
Discussion
vikingaero said:
It's unfortunate but somewhat true. My default driving is now in Lane 1 at 60mph (listening to music) whilst everyone is in Lane 3/4/5 doing 62mph and jostling for position and the inevitable hard ripple braking. Then when the motorway comes to a halt I'm up level with the jostlers.
Plenty of pleasurable driving opportunities still exist around here (Cheshire/Peak District). Getting harder to find though. I avoid the Motorway for most of the year but when I do venture onto the M6/60/62 it's glaringly obvious that the smooth flow for the majority of traffic is impeded by the poor driving and selfishness of a tiny minority.I'm not sure driving has ever been much fun on busy roads during the day.
I don't expect to be able to enjoy a sports car at those times so I don't get stressed. Weekends are fine, which are the only times I go out with the intention of positively enjoying the drive. The roads are just as empty early on a Saturday or Sunday as they have ever been. If you expect to have fun driving on motorways you maybe need to look at different roads or consider what's fun about travelling in mostly straight lines.
I don't expect to be able to enjoy a sports car at those times so I don't get stressed. Weekends are fine, which are the only times I go out with the intention of positively enjoying the drive. The roads are just as empty early on a Saturday or Sunday as they have ever been. If you expect to have fun driving on motorways you maybe need to look at different roads or consider what's fun about travelling in mostly straight lines.
popeyewhite said:
vikingaero said:
It's unfortunate but somewhat true. My default driving is now in Lane 1 at 60mph (listening to music) whilst everyone is in Lane 3/4/5 doing 62mph and jostling for position and the inevitable hard ripple braking. Then when the motorway comes to a halt I'm up level with the jostlers.
Plenty of pleasurable driving opportunities still exist around here (Cheshire/Peak District). Getting harder to find though. I avoid the Motorway for most of the year but when I do venture onto the M6/60/62 it's glaringly obvious that the smooth flow for the majority of traffic is impeded by the poor driving and selfishness of a tiny minority.Just come back from taking my lad who is 20 months old to Silverstone Museum, hes totally obsessed with cars,bikes,trucks just like I was/am.
Followed a bloke in a Skoda Octavia down some of the back roads, 50mph on them, fair enough they are twisty etc, then he got to the roundabout for the A5, didn't indicate at all, proceeded at 50mph on the single lane section of A5 when its 60, then entered a 40 and yep you guessed it, carried on at 50.
When he got to the big roundabout going towards MK, all 3 lanes go forward for the A5, he got in the very right lane and went straight across, the 3rd lane filters into the second lane , so what did he do, immediately cut from Lane 3 into Lane 1 and cut a car up.
Followed a bloke in a Skoda Octavia down some of the back roads, 50mph on them, fair enough they are twisty etc, then he got to the roundabout for the A5, didn't indicate at all, proceeded at 50mph on the single lane section of A5 when its 60, then entered a 40 and yep you guessed it, carried on at 50.
When he got to the big roundabout going towards MK, all 3 lanes go forward for the A5, he got in the very right lane and went straight across, the 3rd lane filters into the second lane , so what did he do, immediately cut from Lane 3 into Lane 1 and cut a car up.
the-norseman said:
Followed a bloke in a Skoda Octavia down some of the back roads, 50mph on them, fair enough they are twisty etc, then he got to the roundabout for the A5, didn't indicate at all, proceeded at 50mph on the single lane section of A5 when its 60, then entered a 40 and yep you guessed it, carried on at 50.
Swings and roundabouts.Lyrics of Red Barchetta by Rush. About a time in the future where cars are banned. Written in the 70s.
"My uncle has a country place
That no one knows about
He says it used to be a farm
Before the Motor Law
And on Sundays I elude the eyes
And hop the Turbine Freight
To far outside the Wire
Where my white-haired uncle waits
Jump to the ground
As the Turbo slows to cross the borderline
Run like the wind
As excitement shivers up and down my spine
Down in his barn
My uncle preserved for me an old machine
For fifty odd years
To keep it as new has been his dearest dream
I strip away the old debris
That hides a shining car
A brilliant red Barchetta
From a better vanished time
I fire up the willing engine
Responding with a roar
Tires spitting gravel
I commit my weekly crime
Wind
In my hair
Shifting and drifting
Mechanical music
Adrenaline surge
Well-weathered leather
Hot metal and oil
The scented country air
Sunlight on chrome
The blur of the landscape
Every nerve aware
Suddenly ahead of me
Across the mountainside
A gleaming alloy air car
Shoots towards me, two lanes wide
I spin around with shrieking tires
To run the deadly race
Go screaming through the valley
As another joins the chase
Drive like the wind
Straining the limits of machine and man
Laughing out loud with fear and hope
I've got a desperate plan
At the one-lane bridge
I leave the giants stranded at the riverside
Race back to the farm
To dream with my uncle at the fireside"
"My uncle has a country place
That no one knows about
He says it used to be a farm
Before the Motor Law
And on Sundays I elude the eyes
And hop the Turbine Freight
To far outside the Wire
Where my white-haired uncle waits
Jump to the ground
As the Turbo slows to cross the borderline
Run like the wind
As excitement shivers up and down my spine
Down in his barn
My uncle preserved for me an old machine
For fifty odd years
To keep it as new has been his dearest dream
I strip away the old debris
That hides a shining car
A brilliant red Barchetta
From a better vanished time
I fire up the willing engine
Responding with a roar
Tires spitting gravel
I commit my weekly crime
Wind
In my hair
Shifting and drifting
Mechanical music
Adrenaline surge
Well-weathered leather
Hot metal and oil
The scented country air
Sunlight on chrome
The blur of the landscape
Every nerve aware
Suddenly ahead of me
Across the mountainside
A gleaming alloy air car
Shoots towards me, two lanes wide
I spin around with shrieking tires
To run the deadly race
Go screaming through the valley
As another joins the chase
Drive like the wind
Straining the limits of machine and man
Laughing out loud with fear and hope
I've got a desperate plan
At the one-lane bridge
I leave the giants stranded at the riverside
Race back to the farm
To dream with my uncle at the fireside"
Edited by croyde on Tuesday 23 April 14:52
Pica-Pica said:
popeyewhite said:
vikingaero said:
It's unfortunate but somewhat true. My default driving is now in Lane 1 at 60mph (listening to music) whilst everyone is in Lane 3/4/5 doing 62mph and jostling for position and the inevitable hard ripple braking. Then when the motorway comes to a halt I'm up level with the jostlers.
Plenty of pleasurable driving opportunities still exist around here (Cheshire/Peak District). Getting harder to find though. I avoid the Motorway for most of the year but when I do venture onto the M6/60/62 it's glaringly obvious that the smooth flow for the majority of traffic is impeded by the poor driving and selfishness of a tiny minority.Don't you just wish it was more like Spain? Long sightlines, well designed overtaking spots and drivers who overtake any chance they get. Nobody has a hissy fit when they are overtaken either.
A few clips from my holiday last summer, heading north on the N-502. Boxster S, roof down cruising. No slowcoaches. Beautiful views. Smooth and easy overtakes between 8 and 15 minutes.
A few clips from my holiday last summer, heading north on the N-502. Boxster S, roof down cruising. No slowcoaches. Beautiful views. Smooth and easy overtakes between 8 and 15 minutes.
HedgeyGedgey said:
Not too long ago, last year some time. A12 was closed Colchester to Ipswich. Coming back relatively late, midnight ish. I wasn't too familiar with the diversion which is a mixture of B roads with national speed limit and then small villages with 30mph zones, been that way maybe twice since l passed my test. Anyway, I was dwardling, not knowing the road, pitch black and candles for lights on a 22yr old VW. Fast car approaching in my mirror, popped the left indicator on to say free to overtake. He flew pass, some Eastern European Audi. Quick flash of the hazard lights to say thanks. That's the sort of etiquette I expect back if I was making progress. But there is absolutely none of it nowadays. No manners, barely get a thank you if you let someone through or out of a junction
Yep, totally agree. The etiquette is dwindling away but there are still some thankful people out there and is nice when you encounter them on the road, doesn't take a lot to do thankful wave or nod here and there or like you say a quick flash of the hazards.The dawdlers who turn in Mansell when you overtake are the funniest, trying in vain to stop you overtaking..... no match for a well planned safe overtake lol.
vikingaero said:
It's unfortunate but somewhat true. My default driving is now in Lane 1 at 60mph (listening to music) whilst everyone is in Lane 3/4/5 doing 62mph and jostling for position and the inevitable hard ripple braking. Then when the motorway comes to a halt I'm up level with the jostlers.
Much the same for me (except without the music).It really doesn't take much longer than doing the 60-85-60 routine in the right hand lane.
popeyewhite said:
Plenty of pleasurable driving opportunities still exist around here (Cheshire/Peak District). Getting harder to find though.
The Peak District ???It used to be when NSLs were 60 - now mostly 40 and plagued with average speed cameras
Not to mention that since lockdown on any day where there is a remote possibility of sun, it's hit with a ridiculous amount of tourists and cyclists who the brain dead can't seem to overtake and don't leave a gap for those of us who can
Its absolutely dire
KTMsm said:
popeyewhite said:
Plenty of pleasurable driving opportunities still exist around here (Cheshire/Peak District). Getting harder to find though.
The Peak District ???It used to be when NSLs were 60 - now mostly 40 and plagued with average speed cameras
Not to mention that since lockdown on any day where there is a remote possibility of sun, it's hit with a ridiculous amount of tourists and cyclists who the brain dead can't seem to overtake and don't leave a gap for those of us who can
Its absolutely dire
The cameras on the Cat are easily fudged if you drop down through Wildboarclough (bottom of the oven).
Just re-read this thread since posting early on. I’m in an area which estate agents love to call semi rural. Yes, if you set off at the crack of dawn, there are still opportunities for ‘ real’ driving. However outside of this, there is just so much traffic, house building and road works that it just becomes easier to follow rather than ‘ drive’ .Hence you get into a slower mode. So, a lot of drivers have not chosen to be slow, they have just become resigned to it ,to avoid stress.
Lester H said:
Just re-read this thread since posting early on. I’m in an area which estate agents love to call semi rural. Yes, if you set off at the crack of dawn, there are still opportunities for ‘ real’ driving. However outside of this, there is just so much traffic, house building and road works that it just becomes easier to follow rather than ‘ drive’ .Hence you get into a slower mode. So, a lot of drivers have not chosen to be slow, they have just become resigned to it ,to avoid stress.
It's why I took up motorcycling - there aren't many places a 150bhp bike can't overtake 
MightyBadger said:
...
The dawdlers who turn in Mansell when you overtake are the funniest, trying in vain to stop you overtaking..... no match for a well planned safe overtake lol.
I find those sort of amusing - they end up going faster, which is what I want to do, so as long as they keep it up, all is good The dawdlers who turn in Mansell when you overtake are the funniest, trying in vain to stop you overtaking..... no match for a well planned safe overtake lol.
lolRSTurboPaul said:
I find those sort of amusing - they end up going faster, which is what I want to do, so as long as they keep it up, all is good lol
Up in my neck of the woods the slow drivers I’m talking 15mph in a 30mph. When they see someone wanting out of a side road the pedal hets slammed to the floor. lolRSTurboPaul said:
MightyBadger said:
...
The dawdlers who turn in Mansell when you overtake are the funniest, trying in vain to stop you overtaking..... no match for a well planned safe overtake lol.
I find those sort of amusing - they end up going faster, which is what I want to do, so as long as they keep it up, all is good The dawdlers who turn in Mansell when you overtake are the funniest, trying in vain to stop you overtaking..... no match for a well planned safe overtake lol.
lol
Had an odd one last week, behaviour I've thankfully never experienced before. Camper van, bikes on the back, followed by two cars, then me. No one made a move on the straights so I nipped past the other two, no problem.
Camper is doing 45/50 with oncoming traffic, which clears, I indicate and pull out only for him to speed up to 60/65. OK fine, but at the next sequence of bends/oncoming traffic on straights we're back down to 45.
He kept this up for 15 miles and on a road that often has mobile speed cams so I was reluctant to speed past.
We then followed him through a 30 zone and just before it went to NSL he shot off only to slow right back down when we caught up again. Twisty road so no hope of getting past.
Finally got past when we exited from a T junction onto another clear NSL stretch but he did his best to prevent it.
Completely pointless.
Camper is doing 45/50 with oncoming traffic, which clears, I indicate and pull out only for him to speed up to 60/65. OK fine, but at the next sequence of bends/oncoming traffic on straights we're back down to 45.
He kept this up for 15 miles and on a road that often has mobile speed cams so I was reluctant to speed past.
We then followed him through a 30 zone and just before it went to NSL he shot off only to slow right back down when we caught up again. Twisty road so no hope of getting past.
Finally got past when we exited from a T junction onto another clear NSL stretch but he did his best to prevent it.
Completely pointless.
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