Local interpretations of rules of the road?
Discussion
Just wondering if anyone else has noticed local 'variations' in what is acceptable driving?
Take today; coming round a roundabout on the A6 approaching Leicester, of the two lanes on the exit the left lane was already backed up to the roundabout, so of course I take the right hand lane. Oddly, there's no-one else taking that lane which, as I come round a slight curve, has a merge left arrow on the road after a few hundred yards. Nothing unusual in that then. Then things started to get a bit odd:
As I slowed down, I noticed that a Volvo coming off the roundabout into the same lane had stopped 200 yards back, with a clear lane in front of him, but stopping anyone else from using the lane;
The woman I had come to a halt next to thinking I'd just merge did the old 'stare straight ahead and keep within a foot of the car in front' trick (I know, nothing too unusual there
);
Then I noticed the guy behind her waving his arms at me. Out of interest I wound the window down and got an earful of "didn't you see the queue mate"
So the good people of Leicester would rather back traffic up onto a roundabout, block an alternative lane and then sit there admiring the civil engineering feat that created the empty lane to their right than use both lanes and merge in turn. Any Leicesteronians out there to confirm this local foible, or anyone else know of other local 'rules'?
Take today; coming round a roundabout on the A6 approaching Leicester, of the two lanes on the exit the left lane was already backed up to the roundabout, so of course I take the right hand lane. Oddly, there's no-one else taking that lane which, as I come round a slight curve, has a merge left arrow on the road after a few hundred yards. Nothing unusual in that then. Then things started to get a bit odd:
As I slowed down, I noticed that a Volvo coming off the roundabout into the same lane had stopped 200 yards back, with a clear lane in front of him, but stopping anyone else from using the lane;
The woman I had come to a halt next to thinking I'd just merge did the old 'stare straight ahead and keep within a foot of the car in front' trick (I know, nothing too unusual there
);Then I noticed the guy behind her waving his arms at me. Out of interest I wound the window down and got an earful of "didn't you see the queue mate"
So the good people of Leicester would rather back traffic up onto a roundabout, block an alternative lane and then sit there admiring the civil engineering feat that created the empty lane to their right than use both lanes and merge in turn. Any Leicesteronians out there to confirm this local foible, or anyone else know of other local 'rules'?
Only yesterday did someone complain about pushing in and not joining a massive single lane queue.
I guess it's a British thing, polite queueing is so much a part of life, that people will forget about the drawbacks and block junctions instead.
I saw a similar queue whilst waiting for a plane last month, everyone sat down at the gate, all seats taken, I wandered over looking for somewhere to sit, and all of a sudden, a queue formed.
Within about a minute of the first person standing up, there was a queue of 60 people.
I just took one of the then free seats, and judging by the time it took to eventually board, the plane was still about 50 miles off the airport when everyone staked their claim.
It isn't just pure politeness though, it's more of a selfish attitude to get in the queue before everyone else.
I guess it's a British thing, polite queueing is so much a part of life, that people will forget about the drawbacks and block junctions instead.
I saw a similar queue whilst waiting for a plane last month, everyone sat down at the gate, all seats taken, I wandered over looking for somewhere to sit, and all of a sudden, a queue formed.
Within about a minute of the first person standing up, there was a queue of 60 people.
I just took one of the then free seats, and judging by the time it took to eventually board, the plane was still about 50 miles off the airport when everyone staked their claim.
It isn't just pure politeness though, it's more of a selfish attitude to get in the queue before everyone else.
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