Flashing at the driver in front.
Discussion
I know this has been raised on many ocasions, but:
Like many other people I find myself in the position where I am stuck behind another vehicle on the motorway. I do have a tendancy to use my headlights and repeaters to alert said driver to my presence. [Obviously only inmy own car
]
Sometimes this even works, and said driver moves over to allow me to pass. (This gives me a warm tingly feeling inside.)
Sometimes this results in absolutely no reaction at all (I'm not going to resort to stereotyping, as it's not the main point - Which I will get on to.)
Unfortunately the most common result of this is some form of retalliation - "How dare you flash at me? - Who do you think you are?" Followed by a stamping on the brake pedal or something equally assinine.
If you are in the third category:
1 question, why does the car behind you want to get past? Do you know?
Like many other people I find myself in the position where I am stuck behind another vehicle on the motorway. I do have a tendancy to use my headlights and repeaters to alert said driver to my presence. [Obviously only inmy own car
] Sometimes this even works, and said driver moves over to allow me to pass. (This gives me a warm tingly feeling inside.)
Sometimes this results in absolutely no reaction at all (I'm not going to resort to stereotyping, as it's not the main point - Which I will get on to.)
Unfortunately the most common result of this is some form of retalliation - "How dare you flash at me? - Who do you think you are?" Followed by a stamping on the brake pedal or something equally assinine.
If you are in the third category:
1 question, why does the car behind you want to get past? Do you know?
A consultant (not IT) - who decided to play an early round of golf. He was then called out to an emergancy. (The details of the operation / why he was on the golf course are not my point either.)
Needless to say he had to get from A to B fast.
On the Motorway near Reading, he flashed at a Silver/Grey Audi. The driver of which was mortified by this cardinal sin, and proceeded to hold up, not just a doctor on call but the rest of the M4 commuters. He did not infact pull over until his own junction, despite many opportunities. Once his morning fun was over, he simply stuck out his tongue at the other traffic before exiting the motorway.
So mature.....
BTW Op worked out.
Whilst I know in extremis it is possible to have a blue light escort. It shouldn't have been necessary.
Needless to say he had to get from A to B fast.
On the Motorway near Reading, he flashed at a Silver/Grey Audi. The driver of which was mortified by this cardinal sin, and proceeded to hold up, not just a doctor on call but the rest of the M4 commuters. He did not infact pull over until his own junction, despite many opportunities. Once his morning fun was over, he simply stuck out his tongue at the other traffic before exiting the motorway.
So mature.....
BTW Op worked out.
Whilst I know in extremis it is possible to have a blue light escort. It shouldn't have been necessary.
My father always taught me: "You never know why the other driver is driving like his arse is on fire. He might be rushing to his wife's bedside in hospital. Maybe's he's a doctor trying to get somewhere to save a life. Maybe he's a c**t. You don't know and you can never tell - best to let him by just in case..."
Good advice I feel.
BTW. Every so often I need to get places very quickly indeed. And I would very much like everyone to heed my old Dad's words.
Good advice I feel.
BTW. Every so often I need to get places very quickly indeed. And I would very much like everyone to heed my old Dad's words.
It can be pretty irritating to be flashed from behind though having driven in Italy a couple of years ago. It's standard practice on the autostradas over there.
Mind you, their standard of driving is disgusting all round.
Ive certainly flashed people on the motorway and it usually has the desired effect.
Mind you, their standard of driving is disgusting all round.
Ive certainly flashed people on the motorway and it usually has the desired effect.
If descending at speed upon a numpty I will flash. If approaching at a modest speed I will indicate and hold back. That's usually sufficiently non confrontrational to achieve the desired effect.
If they don't move then I just overtake on the inside. No point in picking a fight with these numskulls.
If they don't move then I just overtake on the inside. No point in picking a fight with these numskulls.
PetrolTed said:
If descending at speed upon a numpty I will flash. If approaching at a modest speed I will indicate and hold back. That's usually sufficiently non confrontrational to achieve the desired effect.
If they don't move then I just overtake on the inside. No point in picking a fight with these numskulls.
Agree 100%.
Can I also suggest that you 'thank' the car you just passed.
I usually stick my hand up and do a left/right/left on the indicators - even if I think they're total w*nkers !!
It can difuse any tension, the car in front may notice and be more inclined to move over - and the unmarked car a few cars back sees you being polite and not aggresive (just in case )
I usually stick my hand up and do a left/right/left on the indicators - even if I think they're total w*nkers !!
It can difuse any tension, the car in front may notice and be more inclined to move over - and the unmarked car a few cars back sees you being polite and not aggresive (just in case
)Teppic said:
Of course if everyone had the decency to treat the middle and/or outside lanes for their proper use as overtaking lanes only and not treat them as their own personal lane, then no-one would ever have the need to flash anyone to get out of the way...
excepting BMW drívers who bought the outside lane when they got their car???
JMGS4 said:
Of course if everyone had the decency to treat the middle and/or outside lanes for their proper use as overtaking lanes only and not treat them as their own personal lane, then no-one would ever have the need to flash anyone to get out of the way...
excepting BMW drívers who bought the outside lane when they got their car???
Oh! That hurts!
Was on my bike on the motorway at about 90.
Car comes up behind and indicates a desire to overtake. Normal respectable bloke in a late model car. I'm already overtaking about 6 cars so I accelerate hard and pull into the next gap in the middle lane to let him go as quickly as possible.
He gives me the w*nker sign.
Why???
Car comes up behind and indicates a desire to overtake. Normal respectable bloke in a late model car. I'm already overtaking about 6 cars so I accelerate hard and pull into the next gap in the middle lane to let him go as quickly as possible.
He gives me the w*nker sign.
Why???
toad_oftoadhall said:
Was on my bike on the motorway at about 90.
Car comes up behind and indicates a desire to overtake. Normal respectable bloke in a late model car. I'm already overtaking about 6 cars so I accelerate hard and pull into the next gap in the middle lane to let him go as quickly as possible.
He gives me the w*nker sign.
Why???
just to make sure you know he is one.
toad_oftoadhall said:
Was on my bike on the motorway at about 90.
Car comes up behind and indicates a desire to overtake. Normal respectable bloke in a late model car. I'm already overtaking about 6 cars so I accelerate hard and pull into the next gap in the middle lane to let him go as quickly as possible.
He gives me the w*nker sign.
Why???
It seems people are over aggresive when there is just no need to be , i`ve seen similar exchanges when in England when you get over as requested only to be insulted
dont see it happening here . I went to Koln the other week about 1,000- kms trip each way most the trip inside Germany and it was refreshing how (generaly speaking) helpful other drivers are to somebody trying to make "progress"
dgreaves said:
Can I also suggest that you 'thank' the car you just passed.
I usually stick my hand up and do a left/right/left on the indicators - even if I think they're total w*nkers !!
It can difuse any tension, the car in front may notice and be more inclined to move over - and the unmarked car a few cars back sees you being polite and not aggresive (just in case
I have been experimenting recently with my "making progress" driving style. I can recommend the right hand indicator when trying to get past someone in all but the most severe numpty cases. Once I am past I will raise a hand in the centre of the car where it can be seen a la speeding BiB's. I think this shows respect for the speed that the other driver is doing in front of you and a thoughtful and courteous "thank you" afterwards. I little left right left with the indicators can also raise a smile.
Don said:
My father always taught me: "You never know why the other driver is driving like his arse is on fire. He might be rushing to his wife's bedside in hospital. Maybe's he's a doctor trying to get somewhere to save a life. Maybe he's a c**t. You don't know and you can never tell - best to let him by just in case..."
Hmmm... my father always said that it could be someone with a bad case of diarrhoea.
D
I don't know how many people drive on the continent, but the standards of lane control over there are virtualy impeccable. If you find a numpty holding people up in the left hand lane, it's invariably a car with a UK registration...quite embarrasing really.
I'm guessing this is because poor lane control is far more of an offence with on the spot fines etc. I'd gladly welcome that if it meant the end of lane hogging numpties.
I'm guessing this is because poor lane control is far more of an offence with on the spot fines etc. I'd gladly welcome that if it meant the end of lane hogging numpties.
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