Discussion
Do many of you fellow AM drivers get 'raced' when driving? Had numerous instances this weekend of total tits, usually in hot hatches or white BMWs trying to race me when I was just cruising at 70-80. Had one on the M6 keep going up the inside then holding level then backing off, repeating 5 or 5 times over 10 miles. At times verging on dangerous. Just interested if it's an isolated incident or more common that I thought.
Nope, never had the situation that you describe.
When motorways are very busy, I tend to drive in what many must assume is called the 'losers' lane. It does of course provides an extra margin of safety, with (usually) a spare lane on the left.
Edited by Jon39 on Sunday 10th April 21:40
I had it once when a driver in a rust-spotted white van gunned his old engine beside me when we were waiting first at the lights. It was all I could do not to laugh at the obvious windup.
But most times it's other cars pulling up behind or at the side just to look, then they'll drop back a bit. I can tell these are just rubbernecking and pose no threat, but a while back I had one guy go crazy, weaving all over the road behind me. When I looked back in my mirror I could see he had his camera up at the window trying to photograph the car.
People do strange things a times and sometimes it's hard to figure out what their motive is.
But most times it's other cars pulling up behind or at the side just to look, then they'll drop back a bit. I can tell these are just rubbernecking and pose no threat, but a while back I had one guy go crazy, weaving all over the road behind me. When I looked back in my mirror I could see he had his camera up at the window trying to photograph the car.
People do strange things a times and sometimes it's hard to figure out what their motive is.
V8Chris said:
Pulled up next to a lambo a few weeks ago... We had a competition to see who could be the "bigger man" and pull off slowest.
Done that! But most times I drive fast no matter where, and there's no way of letting others know that I not racing them. "I just like the speed and I drive like this everywhere," is really what I want to say. Maybe a sign in the back window... 
Over Easter i did a lot of driving first from Austria to Denmark and then back to the UK and muss confess that Continental driving habits are is so much better than here in the UK. On the Continent people use the overtake lane to overtake and then pull in at the first opportunity. They don't sit there for ever as here in the UK. I don't know whether it is education and better driving or the (too low) speed limit that creates this bad habit but it is frustrating none the less. The other point is, that nobody respects speed limits on the motorway when there are supposed to be obstacles ahead. People simply continue driving at 80 mph until they see the obstacle of worse, there is nothing. On the Continent temporary speed restrictions are respected because there is an obstacle coming. So the systems works and are actualised constantly and hence respected. Driving in the UK sucks !
Biting the bait....
When getting some idiot intent on coming too close to my rear and what seems to be to try and prove some point, (Jag Drivers seem to be the most notable), I find a quick dab on full throttle for a couple of seconds to make space then retreat to a slower moving lane makes my point. There are not too many cars that have that sort of responsiveness and I'm not going to get into a prolonged pi55ing match risking licence for no worthwhile reason.
When getting some idiot intent on coming too close to my rear and what seems to be to try and prove some point, (Jag Drivers seem to be the most notable), I find a quick dab on full throttle for a couple of seconds to make space then retreat to a slower moving lane makes my point. There are not too many cars that have that sort of responsiveness and I'm not going to get into a prolonged pi55ing match risking licence for no worthwhile reason.
hornbaek said:
Over Easter i did a lot of driving first from Austria to Denmark and then back to the UK and muss confess that Continental driving habits are is so much better than here in the UK. On the Continent people use the overtake lane to overtake and then pull in at the first opportunity. They don't sit there for ever as here in the UK. I don't know whether it is education and better driving or the (too low) speed limit that creates this bad habit but it is frustrating none the less. The other point is, that nobody respects speed limits on the motorway when there are supposed to be obstacles ahead. People simply continue driving at 80 mph until they see the obstacle of worse, there is nothing. On the Continent temporary speed restrictions are respected because there is an obstacle coming. So the systems works and are actualised constantly and hence respected. Driving in the UK sucks !
It is with sadness and embarrassment that I find myself having to agree with you. I have put it down to the free movement of people within the soon to be defunct EU, but from your comment I can only assume that is not the case. I increasingly see a complete lack of understanding of the concept of rights of way, people desperate to get 'just one car' in front and total apathy when it comes to those little flashing lights on all four corners of their car. I do think our infrastructure has a part to play though - it is poor indeed.hornbaek said:
Over Easter i did a lot of driving first from Austria to Denmark and then back to the UK and muss confess that Continental driving habits are is so much better than here in the UK. On the Continent people use the overtake lane to overtake and then pull in at the first opportunity. They don't sit there for ever as here in the UK. I don't know whether it is education and better driving or the (too low) speed limit that creates this bad habit but it is frustrating none the less. The other point is, that nobody respects speed limits on the motorway when there are supposed to be obstacles ahead. People simply continue driving at 80 mph until they see the obstacle of worse, there is nothing. On the Continent temporary speed restrictions are respected because there is an obstacle coming. So the systems works and are actualised constantly and hence respected. Driving in the UK sucks !
Well you didn't drive through Belgium then. They re complete nutters, especially on busy motorways. Far worse than the Brits for tailgaiting ec.Jockman said:
You say that guys but remember the most efficient form of queuing for example when 3 lanes go down to 2 is for all 3 lanes to fill completely and for cars to 'merge in turn'. This is also the most annoying if you are in the middle lane watching someone go past you.
Yes, certainly best for efficient flow, but the basis is spoilt by not having a respected rule about 'merge in turn'.
I think in Jersey they do use 'merge in turn'.
Jon39 said:
Jockman said:
You say that guys but remember the most efficient form of queuing for example when 3 lanes go down to 2 is for all 3 lanes to fill completely and for cars to 'merge in turn'. This is also the most annoying if you are in the middle lane watching someone go past you.
Yes, certainly best for efficient flow, but the basis is spoilt by not having a respected rule about 'merge in turn'.
I think in Jersey they do use 'merge in turn'.
Merge in turn is the closest you can get to THEE most efficient queuing system of all - serpintine. This is widely used, especially at passport control, and food chains like McDonalds and KFC are constantly reviewing this area.
Not that I've ever been in a McDonalds
66MK said:
It is with sadness and embarrassment that I find myself having to agree with you. I have put it down to the free movement of people within the soon to be defunct EU, but from your comment I can only assume that is not the case. I increasingly see a complete lack of understanding of the concept of rights of way, people desperate to get 'just one car' in front and total apathy when it comes to those little flashing lights on all four corners of their car. I do think our infrastructure has a part to play though - it is poor indeed.
Having just come back from a few days in Austria with my wife I was struck by how well mannered their drivers are. They pull in as soon as they've overtaken. Respect all speed restrictions on motorways and in built up areas with almost religious zeal. I was also impressed at how clean and tidy their motorway verges were unlike our litter strewn verges.I would be bold enough to say that the car we drive makes the biggest difference in the way we're treated on the roads. It's not merely cost - I often had trouble getting into queues in my Bentleys and Range Rover.
Driving in UK I immediately noticed the difference in the rental S Class Merc to a BMW in a later visit. No-one likes Beemer drivers, or maybe it was me. But I got little love on British roads.
Back here the Aston in traffic is like being enclosed in a protected bubble most of the time, immune from the worries of the world, as the traffic parts ahead like the Red Sea
Driving in UK I immediately noticed the difference in the rental S Class Merc to a BMW in a later visit. No-one likes Beemer drivers, or maybe it was me. But I got little love on British roads.
Back here the Aston in traffic is like being enclosed in a protected bubble most of the time, immune from the worries of the world, as the traffic parts ahead like the Red Sea
kensilver said:
Done that! But most times I drive fast no matter where, and there's no way of letting others know that I not racing them. "I just like the speed and I drive like this everywhere," is really what I want to say. Maybe a sign in the back window...
Might be wise now not to do that when you are in the UK.
Public authorities have discovered that electronic gadgets and motorists, equal money falling into their coffers. When income needs boosting, they turn down the motorway speed limit to 40mph. Bingo, they catch hundreds of drivers.
Insurers have joined in this game too. The conviction lasts for three years, but insurers charge extra premiums on every policy you have for 5 years.
Edited by Jon39 on Monday 11th April 10:08
Gassing Station | Aston Martin | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff