Overtaking and car in font braking
Discussion
Anyone else noticed this?
My route to work is on rural roads. About 25 miles.
Some days its heaven when I get a good run and some days its hell (I HATE horseboxes)
It seems there are more and more people on the roads that don't undestand that overtaking is perfectly acceptable and the correct thing to do when being overtaken is either to continue at a consistent speed or if you're feeling generous to lift off the accelerator.
In the last couple of years it seems that many people think that by overtaking them you've somehow offended them or committed some sort of crime and beeping of horns and flashing of lights for no apparent reason is common.
I've also notioed a large increase in people who accelerate and close the gap ahead of them, some to the point of bing delibertaly downright dangerous.
However, the thing that I find really danerous is as you approach another vehicle building up speed having selected a safe opportunity is that they brake suddenly causing the gap to suddenly close between me an them and meaning my intended gradual pull out has to change to a late swerve.
This morning I was behind a van that was following a car doing 45mph in a NSL rural road. The van was apparently in no hurry to overtake and was leaving a good half a dozen car lengths between it and car in front. Nice little overtake stretch - I pull out to overtake wan with intention of pulling in between van and car to take the car on next safe stretch and suddenly the car brake lights come on as I am pulling in between them and there is no gap as the van has had to slam on but inevitable not anticipated the car. Car nearly gets rear ended by th van and side swiped by me.
Having no choice (and having already braked and lost momentum t drop into the now non existant slot) I dropped it a cog and passed the car (no wdoing maybe 20mph) and she was giving me the beans sign.
Why?
If you'd just maintained your course and speed we'd all have been safe and happy.
I know its a poor rant and I forgot the swearing!
My route to work is on rural roads. About 25 miles.
Some days its heaven when I get a good run and some days its hell (I HATE horseboxes)
It seems there are more and more people on the roads that don't undestand that overtaking is perfectly acceptable and the correct thing to do when being overtaken is either to continue at a consistent speed or if you're feeling generous to lift off the accelerator.
In the last couple of years it seems that many people think that by overtaking them you've somehow offended them or committed some sort of crime and beeping of horns and flashing of lights for no apparent reason is common.
I've also notioed a large increase in people who accelerate and close the gap ahead of them, some to the point of bing delibertaly downright dangerous.
However, the thing that I find really danerous is as you approach another vehicle building up speed having selected a safe opportunity is that they brake suddenly causing the gap to suddenly close between me an them and meaning my intended gradual pull out has to change to a late swerve.
This morning I was behind a van that was following a car doing 45mph in a NSL rural road. The van was apparently in no hurry to overtake and was leaving a good half a dozen car lengths between it and car in front. Nice little overtake stretch - I pull out to overtake wan with intention of pulling in between van and car to take the car on next safe stretch and suddenly the car brake lights come on as I am pulling in between them and there is no gap as the van has had to slam on but inevitable not anticipated the car. Car nearly gets rear ended by th van and side swiped by me.
Having no choice (and having already braked and lost momentum t drop into the now non existant slot) I dropped it a cog and passed the car (no wdoing maybe 20mph) and she was giving me the beans sign.
Why?
If you'd just maintained your course and speed we'd all have been safe and happy.I know its a poor rant and I forgot the swearing!
Sorry, i am ill educated but whats the "beans" sign?
I don't know but I think some people flash if you appear to be over the speed limit whilst overtaking, stuff like closing gaps etc is just plain dangerous though.
Its never happened to me yet thankfully I have been flashed several times and also chased by someone in a Vauxhall Vectra for some reason (I'd overtaken him at 60 on a NSL road on a straight thats about a mile long with no other cars in sight), I never did find out why as I didn't fancy stopping as he looked very similar to Raoul Moat so I had to drive 5 miles out of my way before I finally lost him.
I don't know but I think some people flash if you appear to be over the speed limit whilst overtaking, stuff like closing gaps etc is just plain dangerous though.
Its never happened to me yet thankfully I have been flashed several times and also chased by someone in a Vauxhall Vectra for some reason (I'd overtaken him at 60 on a NSL road on a straight thats about a mile long with no other cars in sight), I never did find out why as I didn't fancy stopping as he looked very similar to Raoul Moat so I had to drive 5 miles out of my way before I finally lost him.
tyranical said:
Sorry, i am ill educated but whats the "beans" sign?
I don't know but I think some people flash if you appear to be over the speed limit whilst overtaking, stuff like closing gaps etc is just plain dangerous though.
Its never happened to me yet thankfully I have been flashed several times and also chased by someone in a Vauxhall Vectra for some reason (I'd overtaken him at 60 on a NSL road on a straight thats about a mile long with no other cars in sight), I never did find out why as I didn't fancy stopping as he looked very similar to Raoul Moat so I had to drive 5 miles out of my way before I finally lost him.
Think shaking a tin of Heinz, in a horizontal plane...I don't know but I think some people flash if you appear to be over the speed limit whilst overtaking, stuff like closing gaps etc is just plain dangerous though.
Its never happened to me yet thankfully I have been flashed several times and also chased by someone in a Vauxhall Vectra for some reason (I'd overtaken him at 60 on a NSL road on a straight thats about a mile long with no other cars in sight), I never did find out why as I didn't fancy stopping as he looked very similar to Raoul Moat so I had to drive 5 miles out of my way before I finally lost him.
I'm convinced that the only way to overtake safely is to do it in a boring car with a diesel engine (i.e. no jealousy and no high revs needed).
No screaming engine in a petrol econobox to intimidate them, no 'flash git' syndrome that you get with a powerful car, 95% of people just ignore you and let you get on with it, even in a BM.
No screaming engine in a petrol econobox to intimidate them, no 'flash git' syndrome that you get with a powerful car, 95% of people just ignore you and let you get on with it, even in a BM.
I like to overtake where I can... not in a 'breaking the speed limit and killing everyone' kind of way, but everyone seems to drive very slowly on the Isle of Wight... and I'm not used to doing 35mph in National Speed Limit zones... it's nice to know I'm not alone 
some moron in a Mercedes really took it to heart when I overtook him... wasn't tailgating him- far from it, I was hanging back so I could wind up speed to overtake on the clearest stretch- but got chased... strange how people speed up as soon as you're past them. 
some moron in a Mercedes really took it to heart when I overtook him... wasn't tailgating him- far from it, I was hanging back so I could wind up speed to overtake on the clearest stretch- but got chased... strange how people speed up as soon as you're past them. 
OP i get the same things happen to me on my rural road commute.
I believe it is illegal to overtake now judging from peoples reactions.
I happened to follow a German plated modern VW van yesterday on my commute road. We were behind a procession of cars that wouldn't overake the lead car going at 45 on NSL road but bless him the van would overtake at every opportunity with me following and eventually we passed them all - i gave him a thumbs up as i passed him.
I believe it is illegal to overtake now judging from peoples reactions.
I happened to follow a German plated modern VW van yesterday on my commute road. We were behind a procession of cars that wouldn't overake the lead car going at 45 on NSL road but bless him the van would overtake at every opportunity with me following and eventually we passed them all - i gave him a thumbs up as i passed him.
Zod said:
Pull out first for a look. If it's clear, then go. If the car ahead brakes, it willl then make no difference. Better to accelerate in a straight line.
I think the issue is the car in front of the (now rapidly diminishing) gap you were planning to use. TBH it's rare IME because usually the numpties are tailgating so the only option is to overtake everyone in the queue
These days, however, I'll change down a couple of gears even if it's not necessary as I was once hung out to dry on the wrong side of the road in 5th when some muppet in front braked during what was meant to be a nice relaxed overtake.
IYSWIM
The Wookie said:
I'm convinced that the only way to overtake safely is to do it in a boring car with a diesel engine (i.e. no jealousy and no high revs needed).
No screaming engine in a petrol econobox to intimidate them, no 'flash git' syndrome that you get with a powerful car, 95% of people just ignore you and let you get on with it, even in a BM.
I have to agree there, the RallyReps’s a nightmare to overtake anything in.No screaming engine in a petrol econobox to intimidate them, no 'flash git' syndrome that you get with a powerful car, 95% of people just ignore you and let you get on with it, even in a BM.
It’s the flashing headlights that get me, numerous times I’ve overtaken and dropped back in, without impeding anyone’s progress, without breaking the speed limit or breaching solid white lines, without making them brake, accelerate, steer, or pass wind.…(might have made them wake up with the noise though)… Aaaannddd… “flash-flash” go the headlights behind and the silent swearing face appears in the rear view mirror as they then proceed to ‘tailgate’ for the next mile or so.
It's amazing home many people don't seem to have read the Highway Code - which states when being overtaken to maintain a steady speed and direction and to allow the overtake to occur.
People who deliberately make unsafe an otherwise safe overtake should be banned from ever driving again IMO.
HighwayCode said:
168
Being overtaken. If a driver is trying to overtake you, maintain a steady course and speed, slowing down if necessary to let the vehicle pass. Never obstruct drivers who wish to pass. Speeding up or driving unpredictably while someone is overtaking you is dangerous. Drop back to maintain a two-second gap if someone overtakes and pulls into the gap in front of you.
169
Do not hold up a long queue of traffic, especially if you are driving a large or slow-moving vehicle. Check your mirrors frequently, and if necessary, pull in where it is safe and let traffic pass.
LinkBeing overtaken. If a driver is trying to overtake you, maintain a steady course and speed, slowing down if necessary to let the vehicle pass. Never obstruct drivers who wish to pass. Speeding up or driving unpredictably while someone is overtaking you is dangerous. Drop back to maintain a two-second gap if someone overtakes and pulls into the gap in front of you.
169
Do not hold up a long queue of traffic, especially if you are driving a large or slow-moving vehicle. Check your mirrors frequently, and if necessary, pull in where it is safe and let traffic pass.
People who deliberately make unsafe an otherwise safe overtake should be banned from ever driving again IMO.
I've seen every kind of reaction I think, the worst being the drift to the right while overtaking, a small minority of bean shakers to borrow a term seem intent on actively preventing someone passing.
On one occasion in recent months a car deliberately did this to me to the point his front bumper as best I can tell contacted my front wheel! I noticed his move across, but I was committed as I was alongside, and pressed on counting my speed would carry me through, I didn't believe he would deliberately side swipe me. There was no damage to my car and I heard nothing afterwards, but it was the most aggressive response I've experienced.
Previously the worse has been braking, but I think that is just bad driving, their lack of experience or selfishness thinks best if I am slow / stopped if any accident happens - although by braking they actually increase the chance of an incident.
I entirely endorse the have a good look approach to overtaking, pull out into the other lane, and look - you can always pull back in before making the move.
My own bean shaking behaviour, which I was guilty of in the past, was reacting to the motorists who seem to assume I haven't seen them - or more likely just object to you ovetaking period - they flash their lights at you for passing another car, I react by staying in their lane longer than I have too, and flash back to say yes I can see you, and I've the time and space to overtake a wagon long before you're any way near me.
On one occasion in recent months a car deliberately did this to me to the point his front bumper as best I can tell contacted my front wheel! I noticed his move across, but I was committed as I was alongside, and pressed on counting my speed would carry me through, I didn't believe he would deliberately side swipe me. There was no damage to my car and I heard nothing afterwards, but it was the most aggressive response I've experienced.
Previously the worse has been braking, but I think that is just bad driving, their lack of experience or selfishness thinks best if I am slow / stopped if any accident happens - although by braking they actually increase the chance of an incident.
I entirely endorse the have a good look approach to overtaking, pull out into the other lane, and look - you can always pull back in before making the move.
My own bean shaking behaviour, which I was guilty of in the past, was reacting to the motorists who seem to assume I haven't seen them - or more likely just object to you ovetaking period - they flash their lights at you for passing another car, I react by staying in their lane longer than I have too, and flash back to say yes I can see you, and I've the time and space to overtake a wagon long before you're any way near me.
rudecherub said:
On one occasion in recent months a car deliberately did this to me to the point his front bumper as best I can tell contacted my front wheel! I noticed his move across, but I was committed as I was alongside, and pressed on counting my speed would carry me through, I didn't believe he would deliberately side swipe me. There was no damage to my car and I heard nothing afterwards, but it was the most aggressive response I've experienced.
He'd be pushing up daisies if he'd tried that on me.Coming up to a 4 cars doing 45 in a NSL decide to carry my speed and cruise on past, nothing dangerous nice straight road. As doing so some self righteous t
t in a white Astra van decides he's going to pull out and stop me going past/stop his pride from being damaged? Either way I pull back in and decide to wait until the next straight to get past.
The next straight comes up and as I am going past him he pulls out at me and puts me on the (luckily flat) grass verge but keeping my foot in I just about make it past (I was in a 1.2 Clio at the time so no speed!)I look in the mirror and see what can only be described as a roided up version of right said Fred throwing every gesture under the sun at me.
Anyway the chase goes on for a few miles until we hit single lane traffic at a round-about where he decides to go round me and park his van across the road. Out climbs right said Fred built like a brick sthouse looking sun, face red with rage 
, he goes to the back of his van and pulls out a sledge hammer and comes running at me 
, luckily there was a lay by a couple of metres behind me so I whacked it into reverse, turned around and drove of as fast as I could heart pounding, behind me right said had one final effort by attempting to throw the hammer at the car fortunately no contact!
Maybe I should have stayed behind him in the first place but just goes to show how upset some people will get by being overtaken, though I some what suspect that I caught him on a bad day!
t in a white Astra van decides he's going to pull out and stop me going past/stop his pride from being damaged? Either way I pull back in and decide to wait until the next straight to get past.The next straight comes up and as I am going past him he pulls out at me and puts me on the (luckily flat) grass verge but keeping my foot in I just about make it past (I was in a 1.2 Clio at the time so no speed!)I look in the mirror and see what can only be described as a roided up version of right said Fred throwing every gesture under the sun at me.
Anyway the chase goes on for a few miles until we hit single lane traffic at a round-about where he decides to go round me and park his van across the road. Out climbs right said Fred built like a brick s
thouse looking sun, face red with rage , he goes to the back of his van and pulls out a sledge hammer and comes running at me , luckily there was a lay by a couple of metres behind me so I whacked it into reverse, turned around and drove of as fast as I could heart pounding, behind me right said had one final effort by attempting to throw the hammer at the car fortunately no contact!Maybe I should have stayed behind him in the first place but just goes to show how upset some people will get by being overtaken, though I some what suspect that I caught him on a bad day!
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