Irrational Driving behaviours

[Salted_Peanut]

Is it an irrational behaviour to voluntarily put yourself through the stress of an advanced driving test?

[Gary C]

swinging left before turning right (or the opposite) when there just isn't room or any actual need.

Classic is coming out of our local supermarket, two lanes at the lights to turn left or right. So many swing a good 2 feet left before turning right even crossing into the turning left lane.

Why. Racing line at 15mph ?

[LukeBrown66]

Conversely when turning right, not using anything like the room given in a junction or a gap and just sitting half in the road and half in the box to turn right.

The selfishness of a lot of drivers is staggering at times

[Mr Miata]

- I often see people in Range Rovers swerving across the road and even drive through parking spots to avoid driving over a speed bump. I then drive over the speed bump no problem.

- At a busy multi lane junction, I often see people deliberately stay in the lane for turning right, then at the very last second try to cut across 3 other lanes to turn left. If you know you need to turn left because you do the same journey every single day then why are you in the wrong lane.

- People speeding on a road that has several traffic lights. Then everyone catches them up again at the next red traffic light. And repeat.

- People parking as close to the supermarket door as possible when an empty corner of the carpark is only a 20 second walk. How unfit are people? Or just lazy? My favourite is seeing people park as close to a gym door as possible.

- People buying 99 RON petrol when the car manufacturer even says it makes zero difference. Plus if you’re just cruising down a motorway at a constant speed or stick in traffic congestion, what benefit could you even get from it? Bearing in mind all petrol has to meet the same standards.

Edited by Mr Miata on Sunday 9th October 21:45

[brisel]

Mr Miata said:

- People buying 99 RON petrol when the car manufacturer even says it makes zero difference. Plus if you’re just cruising down a motorway at a constant speed or stick in traffic congestion, what benefit could you even get from it? Bearing in mind all petrol has to meet the same standards.

Edited by Mr Miata on Sunday 9th October 21:45

Older engine with concerns for the effect of E10 on rubber seals?

Otherwise, agreed. The price premium of 99 now exceeds the benefit where the ECU is capable of making the most of the higher octane rating, which I pointed out to the young driver of a Rover 200 series as he filled up with V Power. He looked somewhat deflated when asked if he had the ignition timing adjusted for it…

[Koyaanisqatsi]

Drivers, upon hearing a siren approaching from behind, immediately pulling over wherever they are, thinking that it's helping to allow the vehicle through. A bit of common sense and thinking logically would allow the police/paramedic driver to sail through effortlessly

[P675]

Koyaanisqatsi said:

Drivers, upon hearing a siren approaching from behind, immediately pulling over wherever they are, thinking that it's helping to allow the vehicle through. A bit of common sense and thinking logically would allow the police/paramedic driver to sail through effortlessly

This drives me quite mad, when they would be better to carry on at the speed limit until a more appropriate place.

[Koyaanisqatsi]

P675 said:

Koyaanisqatsi said:

Drivers, upon hearing a siren approaching from behind, immediately pulling over wherever they are, thinking that it's helping to allow the vehicle through. A bit of common sense and thinking logically would allow the police/paramedic driver to sail through effortlessly

This drives me quite mad, when they would be better to carry on at the speed limit until a more appropriate place.

The general mentality is 'oh, there is a siren and blue lights, I must immediately stop and bump up onto the nearest kerb'

Braindead fking idiots.

[Zero Fuchs]

Not sure if it's just me but a lot of drivers round my way seem to go full speed up to junctions and then slam the brakes on. I can't work out if they just do this normally or are gambling on there being no one at the junction when they arrive. Either way it's annoying trying to make eye contact to make sure they've seen you.

[911hope]

Zero Fuchs said:

Not sure if it's just me but a lot of drivers round my way seem to go full speed up to junctions and then slam the brakes on. I can't work out if they just do this normally or are gambling on there being no one at the junction when they arrive. Either way it's annoying trying to make eye contact to make sure they've seen you.

These tend to be the "one step at a time people", so no looking ahead to see what's next. Just stop at the junction, then look then 1 more move.

Disconcerting to others who are looking for some sign of observation and planning.

[Zero Fuchs]

911hope said:

These tend to be the "one step at a time people", so no looking ahead to see what's next. Just stop at the junction, then look then 1 more move.

Disconcerting to others who are looking for some sign of observation and planning.

I'm not a nervous driver by any means but is it reasonable to lift off and cover the brake? I've done this on a few occasions when it seriously looked like they were ploughing through. No eye contact and no sign of awareness.

[Ron240]

Zero Fuchs said:

I'm not a nervous driver by any means but is it reasonable to lift off and cover the brake? I've done this on a few occasions when it seriously looked like they were ploughing through.

It is entirely reasonable, because it shows that you are alert and anticipating what could happen and are prepared for it.
A large proportion of 'accidents' happen because drivers have no sense of what might happen due to their own or others actions.

[waremark]

I don't believe in this 'eye contact' thing. The most you have any chance of seeing is that another driver has turned their head in your direction, which does not prove that they have seen you. 'Looked but did not see' is certainly a real cause of accidents.


When on a major road passing a junction with a vehicle threatening at the mouth of a side road, I try to position away from the threatening vehicle by easing further from the edge of the road - that will give more time to respond if the threatening vehicle starts to move into my path - , to cover light flasher and horn button so there will be no delay if it starts to move, and to anticipate what I would do if it does start to move - brake and/or swerve.

[SlimJim16v]

Mr Miata said:

- People buying 99 RON petrol when the car manufacturer even says it makes zero difference. Plus if you’re just cruising down a motorway at a constant speed or stick in traffic congestion, what benefit could you even get from it? Bearing in mind all petrol has to meet the same standards.

There are also many reports of better MPG with the 99.

[Zero Fuchs]

waremark said:

I don't believe in this 'eye contact' thing. The most you have any chance of seeing is that another driver has turned their head in your direction, which does not prove that they have seen you. 'Looked but did not see' is certainly a real cause of accidents.

In years of cycling and driving it's served me well, but more so on the bike as you've more time to assess whether a driver has seen you.

[911hope]

Zero Fuchs said:

waremark said:

I don't believe in this 'eye contact' thing. The most you have any chance of seeing is that another driver has turned their head in your direction, which does not prove that they have seen you. 'Looked but did not see' is certainly a real cause of accidents.

In years of cycling and driving it's served me well, but more so on the bike as you've more time to assess whether a driver has seen you.

exactly right.. When cycling it is common for a driver to completely not see a cyclist, because they are looking for a car.
This isn't a joke it is quite common.

They can be looking directly in your direction, but looking through you. If you don't get the eye contact it is time to do something.

I often shout "LOOK" and see them jump in surprise as they realise.
Sometimes some lateral movement as you approach attracts their attention.

Same thing with a car setting off from the kerb... If you don't see the correct move of the head that indicates they have looked, beware.

[underwhelmist]

I’m with 911hope. As a motorcyclist I would say if you’re on a bicycle or motorcycle, never, ever, EVER assume that a driver has properly seen you because they turned their head in your direction and you think you made eye contact. They’re looking for car or not-car, and if you’re on a bike you’re a not-car.

[BlindedByTheLights]

Google ‘looked but failed to see’ theory.

[Zero Fuchs]

Thanks. Can you give some examples of mitigating action in everyday scenarios? I'm not taking about the example above where I would approach with caution but for more regular instances where a car might just wipe you out at junction.

For example, I always approach petrol stations with caution for obvious reasons but for more regular junctions in town, if everything looks normal and a car has stopped waiting to enter a main road, what other cues are you looking for if you're in front of a car and they pull out having not seen you? Or just before you're in front of a car?

Edited by Zero Fuchs on Thursday 20th October 09:16

[7mike]

Zero Fuchs said:

Thanks. Can you give some examples of mitigating action in everyday scenarios? I'm not taking about the example above where I would approach with caution but for more regular instances where a car might just wipe you out at junction.

For example, I always approach petrol stations with caution for obvious reasons but for more regular junctions in town, if everything looks normal and a car has stopped waiting to enter a main road, what other cues are you looking for if you're in front of a car and they pull out having not seen you? Or just before you're in front of a car?

Edited by Zero Fuchs on Thursday 20th October 09:16

Lots of drivers balance the car on the clutch (or creep in an auto) while waiting at junctions. One of the reasons I try to discourage this is that, if the wheels are moving; what message is that sending to passing road users? I feel much more confident passing a vehicle waiting at a side road if I see that the wheels are completely stationary. Either use the handbrake or stay firmly on the foot brake.