Near miss today

[Garett]

Are people really so unaware of their surroundings? This seems to happen to me far too frequently, its a pretty normal thing to happen now. Almost the same thing happened last week at the next junction down. I think its time to adapt my driving to take into account for this idiocy and try not drive alongside another vehicle at a roundabout or junction with more than 1 lane if at all possible.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=1015215948991...

[iva cosworth]

I had a potential situation today when a new Golf turned left across the front of me from

the middle lane of a roundabout entry.

Luckily i was also turning left from the left hand lane but could easily have been going straight over

as the lefthand lane is the correct lane for a HGV to use unless marked otherwise.

Defensive driving is the only way nowadays.

That was yesterday BTW as it's after midnight...

[Marvib]

What a crap bit of driving, well avoided.

Junction 22/23 middleton area?

[7mike]

Did you know the area op? I just can't figure why anyone would want to accelerate up the nearside of another vehicle knowing the two lanes will merge very quickly after the turn (unless they were having a bit of a race but I'm sure that's not the case here).

[spitfire4v8]

^^ indeed. OP could easily have avoided that .. it's not like the road was busy, there was only the other car at the junction when you pulled up to it .. why did you not drop back and let him go first seeing as you were on the outside of the right hand turn after setting off from the junction, you had a better view of him than he did of you.

[Mashedpotatoes]

You did drive like a cock at the end of the vid op. Nice tune mind.

[juggsy]

7mike said:

Did you know the area op? I just can't figure why anyone would want to accelerate up the nearside of another vehicle knowing the two lanes will merge very quickly after the turn (unless they were having a bit of a race but I'm sure that's not the case here).

I think OP is pointing out the lack of awareness the Astra is showing. OP and Astra are at a red traffic light, both move off together at roughly the same speed (I assume), at which point Astra should continue in the right lane as it is the OP's left which merges into the right. Instead they drift into the left lane showing complete lack of awareness and lane discipline. They also brake unnecessarily causing further issues with the potential of an accident looming, particularly had it been busier.

Then cue a bit of RR and undertaking which, ok was wrong and looks nob-ish when watching the vid whilst having a cup of tea, but lets face it we've all been there at some point when some arse tries to cut you up. Again I'm making the assumption that OP would have tucked in behind Astra had they not done this, but I could be wrong!

[Mashedpotatoes]

juggsy said:

7mike said:

Did you know the area op? I just can't figure why anyone would want to accelerate up the nearside of another vehicle knowing the two lanes will merge very quickly after the turn (unless they were having a bit of a race but I'm sure that's not the case here).

I think OP is pointing out the lack of awareness the Astra is showing. OP and Astra are at a red traffic light, both move off together at roughly the same speed (I assume), at which point Astra should continue in the right lane as it is the OP's left which merges into the right. Instead they drift into the left lane showing complete lack of awareness and lane discipline. They also brake unnecessarily causing further issues with the potential of an accident looming, particularly had it been busier.

Then cue a bit of RR and undertaking which, ok was wrong and looks nob-ish when watching the vid whilst having a cup of tea, but lets face it we've all been there at some point when some arse tries to cut you up. Again I'm making the assumption that OP would have tucked in behind Astra had they not done this, but I could be wrong!

A sensible and well considered post a rare sight these days.

[Garett]

Thanks for the input. Its J22 Hollinwood heading towards 23 Ashton and I drive it almost every day of my commute. The only reason I chose that lane was because it was clear.
Although it was an undertake I was just chilling listening to my tunes up until that point, so wasn't particularly focused on passing the Astra until he did that. After that I wanted to remove myself from his trail of ineptitude asap. I don't generally get road rage so I didn't flick the finger or any other small minded nonsense as I passed.

On another note a mk5 Astra same shape and colour rear ended me and drove off 2 months ago. There must be something about silver Astras!

[7mike]

juggsy said:

I think OP is pointing out the lack of awareness the Astra is showing.

The only awareness I have control over when driving is my own; I therefore plan accordingly. Bit of a cliché but "no good being dead right" or if you prefer "two wrongs don't make a right".

This applies equally well (if not more so) to bendy bits of road http://www.keithlane.com/page5.htm

[JamesD1]

there are so many people who fail to even exercise common sense on the road these days. last week i was on a 'new' roundabout with 4 lanes (the horror) and had 2 people from the very inside lane cut across me and beep because they wanted to go left?!?!?!?! i mean come on ffs i know the roundabout is new (nearly a year old hence the '') but who uses the very inside to go left!!!

in that vid it makes you think how did the astra even do that its 2 lanes. christ!

[Garett]

7mike said:

The only awareness I have control over when driving is my own; I therefore plan accordingly. Bit of a cliché but "no good being dead right" or if you prefer "two wrongs don't make a right".

This applies equally well (if not more so) to bendy bits of road http://www.keithlane.com/page5.htm

Thanks useful link and website. I would always exercise that rule with large vehicles but rarely with another car other than at roundabouts.

[DJP]

The Astra was undoubtedly driven badly.

Not sure about undertaking him though, it would have been better to have waited until you were on the main carriageway and then overtaken him.

(Although I'd probably have done what you did!).

[*Al*]

Typical how others on here are quick to jump on the OP for passing the Astra, I would have too and I doubt the Astra driver would have even noticed!

[Hell27]

I take it you were in the Volvo? The engine sounded nice and seemed to have decent pull. I know the area, and the road system is a bit wierd. Don't understand why the Astra made a bee line for your lane when you have to shift over again a few hundred yards later. I think they were day dreaming personally. Just go for the default treat all other drivers as morons and you'll not go too far wrong.

[Far Cough]

Seems to be a growing trend these days - people just drifting around giving absolutely zero consideration to white lines , indicating or lane discipline.

OP probably woke the driver of the astra up so at least they would have been paying attention for a short while until they fell back asleep.

[blearyeyedboy]

OP, well done for reacting well in the first part of the vid and avoiding someone making an idiotic move.

You also have good music taste.

I can understand why you undertook, and there are arguments for and against doing so. On balance though, I probably wouldn't have- the other driver is likely to be less self aware and possibly angry that you've used your horn- although you did so completely correctly to avoid an accident- and so undertaking them may have escalated a road rage situation (eg, if the Astra tried to speed match you/block you/ram you).

It's easy to be wise after the event and I wouldn't be too critical of you because I'm sure I've acted similarly after a close call. I'm pretty impressed by how you're taking on board constructive comments, which marks you out as One Of The Good Guys/people who try to learn from their close calls. Good on you for that.

[Escort3500]

juggsy said:

7mike said:

Did you know the area op? I just can't figure why anyone would want to accelerate up the nearside of another vehicle knowing the two lanes will merge very quickly after the turn (unless they were having a bit of a race but I'm sure that's not the case here).

I think OP is pointing out the lack of awareness the Astra is showing. OP and Astra are at a red traffic light, both move off together at roughly the same speed (I assume), at which point Astra should continue in the right lane as it is the OP's left which merges into the right. Instead they drift into the left lane showing complete lack of awareness and lane discipline. They also brake unnecessarily causing further issues with the potential of an accident looming, particularly had it been busier.

Then cue a bit of RR and undertaking which, ok was wrong and looks nob-ish when watching the vid whilst having a cup of tea, but lets face it we've all been there at some point when some arse tries to cut you up. Again I'm making the assumption that OP would have tucked in behind Astra had they not done this, but I could be wrong!

^^^^ Spot on. Sadly, I see quite a lot of this type of crappy driving (the Astra btw) in urban areas where drivers' awareness of others is almost non-existent.

[Garett]

Hell27 said:

I take it you were in the Volvo? The engine sounded nice and seemed to have decent pull. I know the area, and the road system is a bit wierd. Don't understand why the Astra made a bee line for your lane when you have to shift over again a few hundred yards later. I think they were day dreaming personally. Just go for the default treat all other drivers as morons and you'll not go too far wrong.

Yeah sounds OK for a dirty diesel and is sprightly enough for a daily.
The road is a bit weird, generally right usually merges with left and looking back the Astra probably didn't know the area. Even so if you are in an unfamiliar area even more reason to be aware of everything around you and read signs.

I was fully expecting criticism, this is PH after all so my feelings aren't hurt and it was probably wrong to floor it past him. Live and learn.

[juggsy]

Garett said:

I was fully expecting criticism, this is PH after all so my feelings aren't hurt and it was probably wrong to floor it past him. Live and learn.

Wouldn't be too hard on yourself OP, this is a rare and pleasant PH thread, particularly as I'm a long term reader, few time poster.

Had an incident, this is what happened (and with vid evidence there's little dispute or hear-say on what happened), this is what could have been done better. All agree Astra was in the wrong. Tiny bit of constructive criticism well received, particularly as most of us would have seen the red mist and reacted in some way (me included). Everyone learns and we're all happy. All Very civilised. Who wants a hug?