Setting a bad example
Discussion
This happened last friday and I wasn't going to mention it but I feel a need to get it off my chest.
I was sat at traffic lights waiting to turn right onto the A580 It's a dual-carraigeway, across from me was a, lets just say an advanced motorist in a Vauhall Vectra, I was indicating right and he wasn't indicating anything, the lights changed and I expected him to drive across towards me so I waited for him to pass he didn't he turned to his left.
I followed him west bound on the A580 he accelerated to about 75mph, this section of road is posted 60mph so I stayed at about 65mph, he pulled out without indicating to overtake a slower car when he had passed him the next vehicle was way in the distance I would guess 500 yards and as it happened doing about 60mph, I passed the first vehicle then pulled back into lane one the Vectra stayed out in lane two for the next two miles doing about 75mph.
By now I was about 250 yards behind him and had decided to stay in lane one as I wanted to turn left at the approaching roundabout, the Vectra had now passed the second vehicle but again stayed in lane two. My guess now was that he was going straight on at the island as he was not indicating right (he was in the right hand lane), he braked to a normal speed then with vehicles at the first, second and third exits roads waiting to come onto the island he proceeded to go round the island and turn right without any indication at all.
I am getting a bit fed up seeing these so called expert drivers doing things like this, do they not realise they have a responsability to drive like they have been trained, MOP see them cruising around in this fashion and think it's acceptable, I'm sorry in my book it's not.
5 examples of inferior driving in 4 kilometers is not good, It stuck me as lazy or though I'm loathed to say it arrogant.
I know all Vauhall Vectras in fluorescent green aren't driven like this but why do I keep seeing the ones that are?.
I was sat at traffic lights waiting to turn right onto the A580 It's a dual-carraigeway, across from me was a, lets just say an advanced motorist in a Vauhall Vectra, I was indicating right and he wasn't indicating anything, the lights changed and I expected him to drive across towards me so I waited for him to pass he didn't he turned to his left.
I followed him west bound on the A580 he accelerated to about 75mph, this section of road is posted 60mph so I stayed at about 65mph, he pulled out without indicating to overtake a slower car when he had passed him the next vehicle was way in the distance I would guess 500 yards and as it happened doing about 60mph, I passed the first vehicle then pulled back into lane one the Vectra stayed out in lane two for the next two miles doing about 75mph.
By now I was about 250 yards behind him and had decided to stay in lane one as I wanted to turn left at the approaching roundabout, the Vectra had now passed the second vehicle but again stayed in lane two. My guess now was that he was going straight on at the island as he was not indicating right (he was in the right hand lane), he braked to a normal speed then with vehicles at the first, second and third exits roads waiting to come onto the island he proceeded to go round the island and turn right without any indication at all.
I am getting a bit fed up seeing these so called expert drivers doing things like this, do they not realise they have a responsability to drive like they have been trained, MOP see them cruising around in this fashion and think it's acceptable, I'm sorry in my book it's not.
5 examples of inferior driving in 4 kilometers is not good, It stuck me as lazy or though I'm loathed to say it arrogant.
I know all Vauhall Vectras in fluorescent green aren't driven like this but why do I keep seeing the ones that are?.
Edited by Yung Man on Tuesday 8th January 15:10
Edited by Yung Man on Tuesday 8th January 15:11
ipsg.glf said:
What makes you think the driver was an advanced driver?
I'm thinking it was a police car. And he makes a good point -- if it's ok for him to be dangerous (failing to signal to waiting cars on a roundabout for instance) then what makes him think he can start chest puffing about safety when he's writing me a speeding ticket?SM
Many of us know (and stories abound) of outright dangerous drivers who proudly point to their IAM badge and say, "see, I'm an excellent driver" while overtaking on a blind corner in the wrong gear with only one hand on the wheel.
What type of driver is more likely to try and make it obvious that their car belongs to an Advanced driver?
(Other than by driving which speaks for itself, of course.)
What type of driver is more likely to try and make it obvious that their car belongs to an Advanced driver?
(Other than by driving which speaks for itself, of course.)
supermono said:
ipsg.glf said:
What makes you think the driver was an advanced driver?
I'm thinking it was a police car. And he makes a good point -- if it's ok for him to be dangerous (failing to signal to waiting cars on a roundabout for instance) then what makes him think he can start chest puffing about safety when he's writing me a speeding ticket?SM
In the newspapers yesterday I read that Amir Khan's driving is atrocious and he is setting a bad example, how can a 21 year old boxer be expected to set a good example for driving?.
Now a policeman that's a different story, IMO the reason some of them drive like this is because there isn't anyone above them that can "do" them.
I was coming home from work one morning at 3am and parked up on a main road 100 yards before a roundabout were 2 police cars side by side, one parked normally and the other one double parked so that the passenger could talk to the driver through the open windows, I didn't know whether it was a road block or not so I slowed almost to a stop, just then the driver of the one on the outside gave me a lazy royal wave to "drive on".
I'd like to see two PH'er try that little trick at 3 in the morning, your feet wouldn't touch
streaky said:
Assuming from the delicacy of the OP, that it was a police vehicle, it could have been a mechanic or other civilian driver. Was the 'advanced driver' wearing any kind of uniform? - Streaky
I shouldn't worry too much. There's little evidence of any significant number of drivers following the example of Class 1 police drivers when driving in an examplary manner so I see no reason for them to copy this chap.If we are talking about the Warrington area, which if we are talking about the A580 it may be... then I am afraid all this is normal.
One of the more annoying/dangerous traits here is that in the North part where there are new housing and shopping/industrial estates that they are all connected by roundabouts.
There is a common usage of the roundabouts where the driver will approach the roundabout in the left lane and just drive all the way around and turn off to the right hand exit. Of course this is difficult to spot as there is no indication either way.
Indeed, as the driver has missed these basic uses of the roundabout there is no chance that they have used such advanced procedures like a shoulder check or their mirrors before executing this.
There have been times where I have literally had to come to a halt in the middle of a roundabout when I was turning right to 'make way' for these people. It happens so often - about every two weeks, and I dont drive that much that when I am turning right I always wait for the car on the left to make their intentions obvious by the fact they are actually physically leaving the roundabout rather than trusting they actually know how to use a roundabout or their indicators...!
One of the more annoying/dangerous traits here is that in the North part where there are new housing and shopping/industrial estates that they are all connected by roundabouts.
There is a common usage of the roundabouts where the driver will approach the roundabout in the left lane and just drive all the way around and turn off to the right hand exit. Of course this is difficult to spot as there is no indication either way.
Indeed, as the driver has missed these basic uses of the roundabout there is no chance that they have used such advanced procedures like a shoulder check or their mirrors before executing this.
There have been times where I have literally had to come to a halt in the middle of a roundabout when I was turning right to 'make way' for these people. It happens so often - about every two weeks, and I dont drive that much that when I am turning right I always wait for the car on the left to make their intentions obvious by the fact they are actually physically leaving the roundabout rather than trusting they actually know how to use a roundabout or their indicators...!
streaky said:
Assuming from the delicacy of the OP, that it was a police vehicle, it could have been a mechanic or other civilian driver. Was the 'advanced driver' wearing any kind of uniform? - Streaky
What are the chances of a police car being driven by anyone other than a police person?, my guess less than a tenth of one %.What are the chances of a civilian driver driving a police car without the sign being covered?, 50/50.
So the chances of this car not being driven by plod is about a twentieth of 1%.
I am basing my guesstimate on the fact that one of my cars has done 50000 miles and I'd be surprised if a mechanic had done 50 of those miles.(1000/1)
Yung Man- I know that this is a police vehicle that you are talking about as 99 % of our vehicles are Vectra's. I do not know whether or not it was a police officer and neither do you you are only assuming that.
Let me tell you that there are more and more civilians in fluorescent coats driving them as they are civilian drivers, who move the cars and vans about for service and repair at all hours of day and night.
The reason for this is due to the fact that all of our garages that were in the police stations have since been shut down due to cost and everything moved to Openshaw a central complex.
The civilian drivers are to save police officers time and effort driving long distances to drop a car off for service and another to follow him to bring him back etc. You mention the fact of covering blue lights up,in 18yrs of service I have never seen this done in fact i have never seen a cover to do it.
So,once again here we have a situation were you complain about a certain polic vehicle in the way in it was driven on an open forum, but yet you do not do anything about it ie complain, as you will never know who was in the car if you dont,complain yet you will set everyone off bashing us again, without any evidence of it apart from it being a liveried vauxhall vectra. This is just my opinion and i know there are a fair share of police drivers that drive like w
rs who get us a bad name.
But unless you say something official then nothing will get done about it and you and others will go about tarring us all with the same brush.
Stefluc
Let me tell you that there are more and more civilians in fluorescent coats driving them as they are civilian drivers, who move the cars and vans about for service and repair at all hours of day and night.
The reason for this is due to the fact that all of our garages that were in the police stations have since been shut down due to cost and everything moved to Openshaw a central complex.
The civilian drivers are to save police officers time and effort driving long distances to drop a car off for service and another to follow him to bring him back etc. You mention the fact of covering blue lights up,in 18yrs of service I have never seen this done in fact i have never seen a cover to do it.
So,once again here we have a situation were you complain about a certain polic vehicle in the way in it was driven on an open forum, but yet you do not do anything about it ie complain, as you will never know who was in the car if you dont,complain yet you will set everyone off bashing us again, without any evidence of it apart from it being a liveried vauxhall vectra. This is just my opinion and i know there are a fair share of police drivers that drive like w
rs who get us a bad name.But unless you say something official then nothing will get done about it and you and others will go about tarring us all with the same brush.
Stefluc
Yung Man said:
What are the chances of a police car being driven by anyone other than a police person?, my guess less than a tenth of one %.
I see way more civilians than uniformed officers driving police cars around my area (including on the local motorways) - but then I live very close to one of their main garages / service centres.And I don't recall ever seeing one where 'signs' have been covered up when a civvy has been behind the wheel..
Stefluc said:
Yung Man- I know that this is a police vehicle that you are talking about as 99 % of our vehicles are Vectra's. I do not know whether or not it was a police officer and neither do you you are only assuming that.
How many miles does a police car do between services?, lets assume 10k If a fitter road tests it for 10 miles, no lets be very very generous and say 100 miles, the chances of it not being driven by a police person is extremely unlikely, I can't remember the last time I saw anyone other than a uniformed policeman driving a marked police vehicle.Stefluc said:
Let me tell you that there are more and more civilians in fluorescent coats driving them as they are civilian drivers, who move the cars and vans about for service and repair at all hours of day and night.
The reason for this is due to the fact that all of our garages that were in the police stations have since been shut down due to cost and everything moved to Openshaw a central complex.
But the chances are still very slim, a fitter or civilian driver might take or road test a police car once a month at best, your not telling me police cars do 2500 miles a week (serviced every 10k)The reason for this is due to the fact that all of our garages that were in the police stations have since been shut down due to cost and everything moved to Openshaw a central complex.
Stefluc said:
The civilian drivers are to save police officers time and effort driving long distances to drop a car off for service and another to follow him to bring him back etc. You mention the fact of covering blue lights up,in 18yrs of service I have never seen this done in fact i have never seen a cover to do it.
Thats why I said it was a 50/50 chance multiplied by some where inbetween 100 and 1000 to 1Stefluc said:
So,once again here we have a situation were you complain about a certain polic vehicle in the way in it was driven on an open forum, but yet you do not do anything about it ie complain, as you will never know who was in the car if you dont,complain yet you will set everyone off bashing us again, without any evidence of it apart from it being a liveried vauxhall vectra. This is just my opinion and i know there are a fair share of police drivers that drive like wrs who get us a bad name.
But unless you say something official then nothing will get done about it and you and others will go about tarring us all with the same brush.
Stefluc
I complained about someone parking their car completely blocking the pavement near my house before Christmas, four times in as many weeks I had to phone up, me and the operator were nearly on first name terms.rs who get us a bad name.But unless you say something official then nothing will get done about it and you and others will go about tarring us all with the same brush.
Stefluc
Many drivers on here probably drive correctly all the time not because they are being watched or might get pulled for some minor infringment but because they take a pride in their driving.
The problem I have with so called expert drivers is why do they let themselve down by sloppy driving do they not enjoy their job?, It appears to me like I said before, there is nobody that is going to pull them over and give them a talking too so they drop there standards.
Do as I say not as I do.
Yung Man said:
I complained about someone parking their car completely blocking the pavement near my house before Christmas, four times in as many weeks I had to phone up, me and the operator were nearly on first name terms.
Many drivers on here probably drive correctly all the time not because they are being watched or might get pulled for some minor infringment but because they take a pride in their driving.
The problem I have with so called expert drivers is why do they let themselve down by sloppy driving do they not enjoy their job?, It appears to me like I said before, there is nobody that is going to pull them over and give them a talking too so they drop there standards.
Do as I say not as I do.
Being a Police driver does not make you an expert.Many drivers on here probably drive correctly all the time not because they are being watched or might get pulled for some minor infringment but because they take a pride in their driving.
The problem I have with so called expert drivers is why do they let themselve down by sloppy driving do they not enjoy their job?, It appears to me like I said before, there is nobody that is going to pull them over and give them a talking too so they drop there standards.
Do as I say not as I do.
There will be good & there will be the not so good, just like in anything else.
They are not given training so that they may become experts, they are given what ever level of training they had (& that varies depending on their role) in order to assist them in performing their role within the service & to help reduce the risk of a collisions in performing that role. You can't infer the ability level of any driver by observing what vehicle they drive.
vonhosen said:
Yung Man said:
I complained about someone parking their car completely blocking the pavement near my house before Christmas, four times in as many weeks I had to phone up, me and the operator were nearly on first name terms.
Many drivers on here probably drive correctly all the time not because they are being watched or might get pulled for some minor infringment but because they take a pride in their driving.
The problem I have with so called expert drivers is why do they let themselve down by sloppy driving do they not enjoy their job?, It appears to me like I said before, there is nobody that is going to pull them over and give them a talking too so they drop there standards.
Do as I say not as I do.
Being a Police driver does not make you an expert.Many drivers on here probably drive correctly all the time not because they are being watched or might get pulled for some minor infringment but because they take a pride in their driving.
The problem I have with so called expert drivers is why do they let themselve down by sloppy driving do they not enjoy their job?, It appears to me like I said before, there is nobody that is going to pull them over and give them a talking too so they drop there standards.
Do as I say not as I do.
There will be good & there will be the not so good, just like in anything else.
They are not given training so that they may become experts, they are given what ever level of training they had (& that varies depending on their role) in order to assist them in performing their role within the service & to help reduce the risk of a collisions in performing that role. You can't infer the ability level of any driver by observing what vehicle they drive.
What worries me is you do meet sooooo many people who think that way, including within the police, ambulance drivers, firemen etc.
My fear, as I wrote on another thread, is the dumbing down of our society and the glorification of the thick, fast tracking of minorities etc, has led to the police et al, having far more bad apples within their ranks than at any time, or far more than we both need or deserve.
Yung Man said:
I know all Vauhall Vectras in fluorescent green aren't driven like this but why do I keep seeing the ones that are?.
One day a man went into a Post Office, and said "I'm moving into this Village, what are the people like". The Manager said "how did you find them in your last Village". "Horrible" said the visitor "they were rude, unhelpful and arrogant". "Thats how you'll find people to be in this Village" said the Manager.5 minutes later another man walked into the same post Office, and said "I'm moving into this Village, what are the people like". The Manager said "how did you find them in your last Village". "Great" said the visitor "they were pleasant, helpful and normal". "Thats how you'll find people to be in this Village" said the Manager.
Hope that helps.
BFF
Big Fat F'r said:
Yung Man said:
I know all Vauhall Vectras in fluorescent green aren't driven like this but why do I keep seeing the ones that are?.
One day a man went into a Post Office, and said "I'm moving into this Village, what are the people like". The Manager said "how did you find them in your last Village". "Horrible" said the visitor "they were rude, unhelpful and arrogant". "Thats how you'll find people to be in this Village" said the Manager.5 minutes later another man walked into the same post Office, and said "I'm moving into this Village, what are the people like". The Manager said "how did you find them in your last Village". "Great" said the visitor "they were pleasant, helpful and normal". "Thats how you'll find people to be in this Village" said the Manager.
Hope that helps.
BFF
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