Why does everyone drive so damn slowly?
Discussion
For the last few years, I've had a reasonably quick car, and I've driven it like a yob, and so I assumed everyone was in my way all the time because their cars were slow, and I was being impatient and wanted to go much faster than they did, with minimal regard to the prevailing unenforced speed limit.
However, I recently bought a 4x4 which, undisclosed to me at the time of purchase, has a speed limiter at 70mph (74mph on the speedo, 71mph on the GPS). It's also got a 0-60 somewhere around 14 seconds, it is a very slow car. It's also big, tall, wide, etc, it's not sporty.
So why am I still stuck behind people, on motorways, dual carridgeways, and rural A-roads? And it's not just old people in Fiat Pandas, it's people of normal driving age in ordinary BMWs and Audis, one dawdler even had an SLK!
Perhaps everyone is hypermiling due to the extortionate cost of fuel, but I'm exceeding the claimed mpg in both my fast car and my big 4x4.
Any other ideas?
However, I recently bought a 4x4 which, undisclosed to me at the time of purchase, has a speed limiter at 70mph (74mph on the speedo, 71mph on the GPS). It's also got a 0-60 somewhere around 14 seconds, it is a very slow car. It's also big, tall, wide, etc, it's not sporty.
So why am I still stuck behind people, on motorways, dual carridgeways, and rural A-roads? And it's not just old people in Fiat Pandas, it's people of normal driving age in ordinary BMWs and Audis, one dawdler even had an SLK!
Perhaps everyone is hypermiling due to the extortionate cost of fuel, but I'm exceeding the claimed mpg in both my fast car and my big 4x4.
Any other ideas?
Well most are on PCP, so any mileage, scratches worn tyres etc will be at their cost when the lease/plan runs out, and as you have mentioned petrol costing is far too high for this little old country. Fast driving will produce more frequent servicing with the modern computer system saying service due now.
I did the same a few years ago and bought a new Dacia Duster with a whopping 3cyl 1.0 engine.
And I was still overtaking everybody.
I reckon it was Covid. It had the extra devastating condition of cutting everyone's balls off.
I'm finally leaving London with it's 20 limits blindly stuck to by catatonic drivers who seem just so relieved to be able to drone along at 17.5 mph.
The country area I'm moving to is a joy as everyone drives quickly, even old ladies in 20 year old Nissan Micras.
And I was still overtaking everybody.
I reckon it was Covid. It had the extra devastating condition of cutting everyone's balls off.
I'm finally leaving London with it's 20 limits blindly stuck to by catatonic drivers who seem just so relieved to be able to drone along at 17.5 mph.
The country area I'm moving to is a joy as everyone drives quickly, even old ladies in 20 year old Nissan Micras.
On the flip side, it feels like it's a rare journey now where I don't notice some kind of needless aggression by another road user, usually tailgating, usually through town in a 30mph limit. Also to be frequently spotted as they perceive you've slowed down too much and are getting in their way when turning into a side road.
Yet, these same folk will more often melt into the rear distance come an NSL, and I'm not driving a quick car most of the time. Weird!
Yet, these same folk will more often melt into the rear distance come an NSL, and I'm not driving a quick car most of the time. Weird!
LotsOfLaughs said:
For the last few years, I've had a reasonably quick car, and I've driven it like a yob, and so I assumed everyone was in my way all the time because their cars were slow, and I was being impatient and wanted to go much faster than they did, with minimal regard to the prevailing unenforced speed limit.
However, I recently bought a 4x4 which, undisclosed to me at the time of purchase, has a speed limiter at 70mph (74mph on the speedo, 71mph on the GPS). It's also got a 0-60 somewhere around 14 seconds, it is a very slow car. It's also big, tall, wide, etc, it's not sporty.
So why am I still stuck behind people, on motorways, dual carridgeways, and rural A-roads? And it's not just old people in Fiat Pandas, it's people of normal driving age in ordinary BMWs and Audis, one dawdler even had an SLK!
Perhaps everyone is hypermiling due to the extortionate cost of fuel, but I'm exceeding the claimed mpg in both my fast car and my big 4x4.
Any other ideas?
Not everyone is in a hurry. We meet all types of driver every time we venture out to the highways.However, I recently bought a 4x4 which, undisclosed to me at the time of purchase, has a speed limiter at 70mph (74mph on the speedo, 71mph on the GPS). It's also got a 0-60 somewhere around 14 seconds, it is a very slow car. It's also big, tall, wide, etc, it's not sporty.
So why am I still stuck behind people, on motorways, dual carridgeways, and rural A-roads? And it's not just old people in Fiat Pandas, it's people of normal driving age in ordinary BMWs and Audis, one dawdler even had an SLK!
Perhaps everyone is hypermiling due to the extortionate cost of fuel, but I'm exceeding the claimed mpg in both my fast car and my big 4x4.
Any other ideas?
Sixteen Stone said:
Not everyone is in a hurry.
True, in my younger years in the 90's when I had 2.0L turbo company cars I drove them like mad, and to their limits.In later years owning my own cars I have changed my driving style. One of my recent cars was a 1996 LR Defender that was a slow as a slow thing, I never rushed to get anywhere as I couldn't get anywhere quick, so I drove steadily and watched the world overtake me, with a grin on my face.
I now have a BMW 730d M Sport which it is such a comfortable car that whilst it is also very fast, it invites you to drive it comfortably and majestically, that is where the true pleasure of driving it lies. So I stick to the speed limits, sit back and have a very relaxing drive watching folk rush past me in their uncomfortable cars, with a grin on my face.
Edited by The Gauge on Saturday 24th October 00:41
Used to think similarly; I have a commute of 30 miles each way; approx. split
27 miles motorway / NSL DC
2 miles 40/50mph A-road
1 mile 30mph limit
Worked out that in perfect conditions, a GPS indicated 80mph on the m/way & DC sections saves only 3mins on journey time than if I was doing 70.
That 3min is immediately wiped out if I get a red light rather than a green on the junctions at either end.
That's without factoring in:
Having to brake more frequently for slower traffic when travelling at a higher relative speed which is a pain in the arse.
If I get pinged by the seemingly increasing numbers of mobile cameras in my area, 80 will get me 3 points & 70 won't
Not something I consider, but there is likely a 10%+ increase in fuel consumption at 80 rather than 70
Even on a 100mile journey, 80mph is only 11mins quicker than the same distance at 70 - 1hr15m rather than 1hr26m - again in perfect road conditions/constant speed throughout which never happens.
I like putting my foot down given the opportunity, but just not worth it day to day so I generally plod along at 70-75 listening to a podcast.
27 miles motorway / NSL DC
2 miles 40/50mph A-road
1 mile 30mph limit
Worked out that in perfect conditions, a GPS indicated 80mph on the m/way & DC sections saves only 3mins on journey time than if I was doing 70.
That 3min is immediately wiped out if I get a red light rather than a green on the junctions at either end.
That's without factoring in:
Having to brake more frequently for slower traffic when travelling at a higher relative speed which is a pain in the arse.
If I get pinged by the seemingly increasing numbers of mobile cameras in my area, 80 will get me 3 points & 70 won't
Not something I consider, but there is likely a 10%+ increase in fuel consumption at 80 rather than 70
Even on a 100mile journey, 80mph is only 11mins quicker than the same distance at 70 - 1hr15m rather than 1hr26m - again in perfect road conditions/constant speed throughout which never happens.
I like putting my foot down given the opportunity, but just not worth it day to day so I generally plod along at 70-75 listening to a podcast.
A lot of new drivers seem to be in no hurry to away from lights when they turn green. let alone accelerate up to the speed limit. I have a strong feeling that they have been brainwashed into this kind of behaviour by their driving instructors who in turn have been forced into it by eco directives from the DVSA and DfT.
When I learnt to drive, I remember my instructor telling me off for driving slower than the speed limit unless there was a good reason for driving more slowly than that, for example weather, poor road surface, pedestrians, other traffic. He also said that I should always aim to accelerate to the speed limit smoothly and progressively, but without hesitation. I think nowadays, learners are taught to only use the rightmost pedal if there is a Tyrannosaurus Rex occupying at least 70% of the field of view of the rear-view camera. And speed limits are now so low that people have forgotten what acceleration feels like. The world has gone mad.
When I learnt to drive, I remember my instructor telling me off for driving slower than the speed limit unless there was a good reason for driving more slowly than that, for example weather, poor road surface, pedestrians, other traffic. He also said that I should always aim to accelerate to the speed limit smoothly and progressively, but without hesitation. I think nowadays, learners are taught to only use the rightmost pedal if there is a Tyrannosaurus Rex occupying at least 70% of the field of view of the rear-view camera. And speed limits are now so low that people have forgotten what acceleration feels like. The world has gone mad.
LunarOne said:
A lot of new drivers seem to be in no hurry to away from lights when they turn green. let alone accelerate up to the speed limit. I have a strong feeling that they have been brainwashed into this kind of behaviour by their driving instructors who in turn have been forced into it by eco directives from the DVSA and DfT.
When I learnt to drive, I remember my instructor telling me off for driving slower than the speed limit unless there was a good reason for driving more slowly than that, for example weather, poor road surface, pedestrians, other traffic. He also said that I should always aim to accelerate to the speed limit smoothly and progressively, but without hesitation. I think nowadays, learners are taught to only use the rightmost pedal if there is a Tyrannosaurus Rex occupying at least 70% of the field of view of the rear-view camera. And speed limits are now so low that people have forgotten what acceleration feels like. The world has gone mad.
Nope, they still get told off for being too far under the posted limit in good road/traffic conditions.When I learnt to drive, I remember my instructor telling me off for driving slower than the speed limit unless there was a good reason for driving more slowly than that, for example weather, poor road surface, pedestrians, other traffic. He also said that I should always aim to accelerate to the speed limit smoothly and progressively, but without hesitation. I think nowadays, learners are taught to only use the rightmost pedal if there is a Tyrannosaurus Rex occupying at least 70% of the field of view of the rear-view camera. And speed limits are now so low that people have forgotten what acceleration feels like. The world has gone mad.
I wonder if it’s just that we have an ageing population with higher levels of car ownership. I spend a lot of time in Devon and there’s definitely a different pace down there, you adapt to them hitting the brakes before entering a corner at 28mph, or otherwise driving everywhere at 45mph regardless of the limit.
You also get the odd fist shake or flashing headlights when you deign to overtake them, they seem to take it personally.
You also get the odd fist shake or flashing headlights when you deign to overtake them, they seem to take it personally.
I’ve noticed slow drivers on major roads far more in the last six months than ever before. Especially noticeable on motorways and A roads.
Common factor is that 55 ish mph seems to be their target speed.
I can only assume it’s for economy due to the ludicrous price of fuel at the moment.
Common factor is that 55 ish mph seems to be their target speed.
I can only assume it’s for economy due to the ludicrous price of fuel at the moment.
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