Have I become magnetic?
Discussion
The simple answers always lie in delusion, so at the moment I can only conclude that I have become a super hero in recent months.
In reality, what I have noticed is a sudden propensity for a certain type of oncoming driver to veer towards me from about 50-100 yards out.
It's strangely pronounced and will be up to a foot of movement towards the centre line on final approach.
I'm used to the folk who brake every time there is an oncoming car or who steer away from oncoming HGVs, even just normal cars. Those people have always been around and reasoning why they are doing what they do is relatively straight forward.
What I can't work out is why the potentially similar or same type of driver has started driving towards oncoming cars?
It appears to mainly afflict the elderly and middle aged, chubby women with a slightly glazed look as if perpetually wondering if Gregg's will have specials today but this is Gloucestershire where these two demographics are quite dominant so this could be pure coincidence.
In reality, what I have noticed is a sudden propensity for a certain type of oncoming driver to veer towards me from about 50-100 yards out.
It's strangely pronounced and will be up to a foot of movement towards the centre line on final approach.
I'm used to the folk who brake every time there is an oncoming car or who steer away from oncoming HGVs, even just normal cars. Those people have always been around and reasoning why they are doing what they do is relatively straight forward.
What I can't work out is why the potentially similar or same type of driver has started driving towards oncoming cars?
It appears to mainly afflict the elderly and middle aged, chubby women with a slightly glazed look as if perpetually wondering if Gregg's will have specials today but this is Gloucestershire where these two demographics are quite dominant so this could be pure coincidence.
Some drivers seem to be unable to seperate the process of looking in one direction, and not changing their steering input at the same time. You see drivers on the motorway, who look in their mirror and come towards the right side of the lane, or worse. Motorcyclists doing similar, an over the shoulder lifesaver check and nearly wobble off the thing.Cylicsts, well,I’ve seen some nearly come to the centreline looking over their shoulder. HGV drivers on the motorway, again, it’s obvious when they’ve had a look in the mirror. I think you’re suffering from the effects of target fixation, so don’t don your superhero cape just yet.
normalbloke said:
Some drivers seem to be unable to seperate the process of looking in one direction, and not changing their steering input at the same time. You see drivers on the motorway, who look in their mirror and come towards the right side of the lane, or worse. Motorcyclists doing similar, an over the shoulder lifesaver check and nearly wobble off the thing.Cylicsts, well,I’ve seen some nearly come to the centreline looking over their shoulder. HGV drivers on the motorway, again, it’s obvious when they’ve had a look in the mirror. I think you’re suffering from the effects of target fixation, so don’t don your superhero cape just yet.
I'd agree but that's something that has always been there whereas this is a new driving phenomenon. It seems to happen regardless of the car I drive, I've not been able to pick up if one type of car triggers it more than another. I've not noticed any commonality in the type of offending car as of yet, my first thought being it was proximity warnings going off or some new car safety tech.
All I've been able to ascertain to date is that it appears to afflict the same sort of person who drives out on the wrong side of a blind bend to get a better view of what dangers might be round the corner. The sort of people who may be confusing tarmac with pies so wanting it all or thinking tarmac is free so it must all be theirs.
If no one else has noticed this then it does mean I do have to consider the plausible reasoning that I am a super hero. This would potentially tie in with my lifelong observation that individual street lights appear to only go out when I am in their presence.
motco said:
It's the pothole slalom. 
I’d go for this - I was quite shocked when the mirror got smashed off wife’s Tiguan when driving through a local lane as there was loads of room. Woman going the other way stopped and apologised - she’d moved over as the side of the road was rutted.
DickyC said:
Killer2005 said:
Seeing the same too. Lots of people have started cutting corners, which is potentially fine when it's clear but not when I'm coming in the other direction
And they glare at you really hard for being on the bit of corner they want to cut.And people pulling out of side turnings too late and unusually slowly doing the same or giving me the YEAH WHAT? face when I’ve made SURE my expression isn’t giving anything away and I haven’t made any point of not slowing down or braking late etc!
MDMA . said:
Happens to me. The other driver is normally on their phone and just happen to look up at the moment they are veering towards you and then corrects their course.
I did have an 'off-road Friday' a few weeks back when a couple of delivery drivers attempted head ons while checking their devices but the phone swerving thing has been an issue for years. However, I wonder if this newer phenomenon could be a dash screen issue? That would be a relatively new variable to fit the thesis?
Obviously lots of potential causes (distraction, phone/screen users, deathwish), you can add Lane Keep Assist systems to the list.
I recently had a hire car delivered, home pick up so their driver then took us both back to their office. Weaving all over the road to the point I asked if there was a mechanical issue with the car. She said it was difficult to drive and she was finding it unpredictable, so I obviously offered my PH Test Pilot skills
.
Quick walk around to check tyres and any obvious wheel damage, all good. 1/2 mile later and I've pulled over and we are consulting the manual online to try and turn off the driver/lane assist function.
I get the concept, it's meant to keep you in your lane. This system was applying significant steering inputs which required a deliberate effort to counteract, it appeared to be reacting to hedges, dirty white carriageway divider lines and a plastic bag in a hedge. Without an early and positive correction this vehicle (Ford something) would move into the opposite carriageway and make a concerted effort for the hedges.
The Manual iirc gave a number of conditions in which the system shouldn't be used, which seemed to include most driving situations. I bet most people don't read the manual, understand the system or realise that other than a clear, dry, empty motorway it really shouldn't be used.
I recently had a hire car delivered, home pick up so their driver then took us both back to their office. Weaving all over the road to the point I asked if there was a mechanical issue with the car. She said it was difficult to drive and she was finding it unpredictable, so I obviously offered my PH Test Pilot skills
.Quick walk around to check tyres and any obvious wheel damage, all good. 1/2 mile later and I've pulled over and we are consulting the manual online to try and turn off the driver/lane assist function.
I get the concept, it's meant to keep you in your lane. This system was applying significant steering inputs which required a deliberate effort to counteract, it appeared to be reacting to hedges, dirty white carriageway divider lines and a plastic bag in a hedge. Without an early and positive correction this vehicle (Ford something) would move into the opposite carriageway and make a concerted effort for the hedges.
The Manual iirc gave a number of conditions in which the system shouldn't be used, which seemed to include most driving situations. I bet most people don't read the manual, understand the system or realise that other than a clear, dry, empty motorway it really shouldn't be used.
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