Accelerating whilst being overtaken
Poll: Accelerating whilst being overtaken
Total Members Polled: 411
Discussion
Vaud said:
theboss said:
My strategy now is to just do it quickly and authoratitively as soon as the safe opportunity presents, though having a 660 lb ft and 750bhp daily helps in this regard.
Username: checkAssertive PH statement: check
The embodiment of PH? Are you also a powerfully built director?
I guess I have learned that long distance A road driving these days either involves:
1) staying in line and doing 39mph in convoy afer convoy, usually headed by a HGV with a little car hiding away in front of it. Overtakers are treated with universal disdain. If you have to travel 100 miles you might as well plan on taking half a day to get there.
2) do what the bloke I quoted said and pass anything and everything given the chance. Best aided by a vehicle with considerable turn of pace because if you're going to approach it gently with lots of considerately signalled intentions, as if to seek the co-operation and approval of your fellow motorist, in 99% of cases you'll quite simply find your safe opportunities to pass will be obstructed, either with passive aggression or flagrant hostility.
I also try to travel outside core rush hours as much as possible to avoid as much of the above altogether. My journey times can be literally halved.
Edited by theboss on Sunday 4th December 21:06
MiggyA said:
Johnnytheboy said:
Part of the problem IMO is that the speed-limit-obeying but rapidly accelerating driver is quite a recent phenomenon.
Until not many years ago, a driver that rigidly obeyed a 30 limit was vanishingly unlikely to accelerate hard on leaving it.
So a lot of drivers will not be prepared for this style of driving.
I'll be honest, if I encounter someone doing this I assume they are trying to make a point.
OK, I'm genuinely a bit mystified by your last sentence there, what point is it you think they are trying to make?Until not many years ago, a driver that rigidly obeyed a 30 limit was vanishingly unlikely to accelerate hard on leaving it.
So a lot of drivers will not be prepared for this style of driving.
I'll be honest, if I encounter someone doing this I assume they are trying to make a point.
It's one of those things where the observer affects the experiment: I'll never know, but I find it hard to imagine people doing exactly 30 then flooring it at the NSL sign if they don't think someone is there to see them do it.
Johnnytheboy said:
Something to do with speed limit adherence I imagine. Not that mystifying, really.
It's one of those things where the observer affects the experiment: I'll never know, but I find it hard to imagine people doing exactly 30 then flooring it at the NSL sign if they don't think someone is there to see them do it.
That's easy. I do close to the limit in urban areas because people have houses there, they live there, they go into and out of their houses and have family members and pets that do the same. In addition there may well be businesses also operating with the associated movement of people and traffic at slow speed. It is logical and reasonable and respectful to proceed with extra caution in urban areas. Outside of those areas those same considerations generally do not exist and therefore my attitude is different.It's one of those things where the observer affects the experiment: I'll never know, but I find it hard to imagine people doing exactly 30 then flooring it at the NSL sign if they don't think someone is there to see them do it.
The speed some people do is dictated by the limit that applies at that time, I choose my own speed (tempered by the consequences of capture unfortunately, as I would really prefer to be going faster).
I can't believe no one has mentioned the these two options, which are perfect if you also drive like a t
t!
Pre-empt they are likely to overtake, so provide a friendly 'don't tailgate' warning with dab on the brakes with your left foot, while simultaneously accelerating with your right foot
Or let them overtake and then play the 'Hamilton-Rosberg catch up and chase game', where you 'encourage' the van driver to 'make progress' and allow them to run out of talent
Obviously I do not condone this type of behaviour and should only be done on a quiet and private road..
t!Pre-empt they are likely to overtake, so provide a friendly 'don't tailgate' warning with dab on the brakes with your left foot, while simultaneously accelerating with your right foot
Or let them overtake and then play the 'Hamilton-Rosberg catch up and chase game', where you 'encourage' the van driver to 'make progress' and allow them to run out of talent
Obviously I do not condone this type of behaviour and should only be done on a quiet and private road..
ashleyman said:
Rubber-Ducky said:
Don said:
...I've seen more than one drive directly into the speed trap doing 45-50 in a thirty just before they leave it. That's ban territory. I'm not making that mistake...
Really? I thought up to 49mph in a 30 limit was a FPN with 3 points. 50+ and you're off to court, but not necessarily looking at a ban.Edited by Rubber-Ducky on Sunday 4th December 13:12
The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) has issued speed enforcement policy guidance, which suggests that enforcement will normally occur when a driver exceeds the speed limit by a particular margin. This is normally 10 per cent over the speed limit plus 2 mph. It also sets guidelines for when it would not be appropriate to issue a fixed penalty notice but to issue a summons instead (see below). Note that these are guidelines and that a police officer has discretion to act outside of them providing he acts fairly, consistently and proportionately.
Speed limit: 20 mph
ACPO charging threshold: 24 mph
Summons: 35 mph
Speed limit: 30 mph
ACPO charging threshold: 35 mph
Summons: 50 mph
Speed limit: 40 mph
ACPO charging threshold: 46 mph
Summons: 66 mph
Speed limit: 50 mph
ACPO charging threshold: 57 mph
Summons: 76 mph
Speed limit: 60 mph
ACPO charging threshold: 68 mph
Summons: 86 mph
Speed limit: 70 mph
ACPO charging threshold: 79 mph
Summons: 96 mph
Usually when approaching NSL signs I spend the few seconds before the sign selecting the correct gear and preparing for the usual flooring it.
If the van came up behind you fast in the 30 and began tailgating, you could safely assume that on the straights he would be faster as he’d have no regard to the limits but round bends he would probably hold you up.
Whichever way you look at it it’ll be a game of cat and mouse unless you can guarantee that you can drive fast enough to create space, and keep putting distance between you both.
Realistically, in the case of the OP I’d most probably stick to whatever speed I was doing, allow the van to overtake and get on with it and try not to let him ruin my driving experience on the NSL road. If you catch up later then I’d look to overtake as quickly and safely as possible.
I’d always prefer for the danger to be in front rather than behind although as seen in some dash cam videos they could always just block the road leaving you no escape.
If the van came up behind you fast in the 30 and began tailgating, you could safely assume that on the straights he would be faster as he’d have no regard to the limits but round bends he would probably hold you up.
Whichever way you look at it it’ll be a game of cat and mouse unless you can guarantee that you can drive fast enough to create space, and keep putting distance between you both.
Realistically, in the case of the OP I’d most probably stick to whatever speed I was doing, allow the van to overtake and get on with it and try not to let him ruin my driving experience on the NSL road. If you catch up later then I’d look to overtake as quickly and safely as possible.
I’d always prefer for the danger to be in front rather than behind although as seen in some dash cam videos they could always just block the road leaving you no escape.
Rubber-Ducky said:
ashleyman said:
Rubber-Ducky said:
Don said:
...I've seen more than one drive directly into the speed trap doing 45-50 in a thirty just before they leave it. That's ban territory. I'm not making that mistake...
Really? I thought up to 49mph in a 30 limit was a FPN with 3 points. 50+ and you're off to court, but not necessarily looking at a ban.Edited by Rubber-Ducky on Sunday 4th December 13:12
The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) has issued speed enforcement policy guidance, which suggests that enforcement will normally occur when a driver exceeds the speed limit by a particular margin. This is normally 10 per cent over the speed limit plus 2 mph. It also sets guidelines for when it would not be appropriate to issue a fixed penalty notice but to issue a summons instead (see below). Note that these are guidelines and that a police officer has discretion to act outside of them providing he acts fairly, consistently and proportionately.
Speed limit: 20 mph
ACPO charging threshold: 24 mph
Summons: 35 mph
Speed limit: 30 mph
ACPO charging threshold: 35 mph
Summons: 50 mph
Speed limit: 40 mph
ACPO charging threshold: 46 mph
Summons: 66 mph
Speed limit: 50 mph
ACPO charging threshold: 57 mph
Summons: 76 mph
Speed limit: 60 mph
ACPO charging threshold: 68 mph
Summons: 86 mph
Speed limit: 70 mph
ACPO charging threshold: 79 mph
Summons: 96 mph
In a 30 MPH zone
FPN is issued at 35+ when education is not appropriate.
Speed Awareness between 35 - 42
FPN 42-49
Summons 50+
Edited by ashleyman on Sunday 4th December 22:45
cmaguire said:
Johnnytheboy said:
Something to do with speed limit adherence I imagine. Not that mystifying, really.
It's one of those things where the observer affects the experiment: I'll never know, but I find it hard to imagine people doing exactly 30 then flooring it at the NSL sign if they don't think someone is there to see them do it.
That's easy. I do close to the limit in urban areas because people have houses there, they live there, they go into and out of their houses and have family members and pets that do the same. In addition there may well be businesses also operating with the associated movement of people and traffic at slow speed. It is logical and reasonable and respectful to proceed with extra caution in urban areas. Outside of those areas those same considerations generally do not exist and therefore my attitude is different.It's one of those things where the observer affects the experiment: I'll never know, but I find it hard to imagine people doing exactly 30 then flooring it at the NSL sign if they don't think someone is there to see them do it.
The speed some people do is dictated by the limit that applies at that time, I choose my own speed (tempered by the consequences of capture unfortunately, as I would really prefer to be going faster).
If "urban areas" and 30 limits were the same thing, I imagine this thread wouldn't exist.
My original point seems to have caused a degree of confusion. All I am saying is that after many years and miles of driving, the phenomenon of the exact-speed-limit-obeying but rapidly accelerating/braking driver is a fairly recent one. For most of my driving career, if I followed someone through a 30 limited village at 30 on the nose, I'd be lucky if they hit 45 once NSL returned.
I assume this difference is down to speed cameras, though most of the people I see driving in this way have a whiff of 'angry dad' about them; not sure on the connection there.
TWR said:
We all want to get from A To B Quickly but I want to get there in stressed, 40+ years of HGV Driving has taught me that, from what I read into your post your a Heart attack waiting to happen,
Yes, but the Honda Jazz idea of quickly is 45mph tops, my idea of quickly is somewhat more.I try to operate by the rule of, if safe overtake. Very rarely am I surprised by someone going consistently as fast as I want to.
Jasandjules said:
Let him go. I prefer to have that kind of driver ahead of me instead of up my bumper.
It does depend on what car you are in, the road conditions and how fast you are planning to drive.Then again it can be quite enjoyable to watch a local hussle a van through some twisties if they know how to drive. It needs a precision and economy of momentum that you can be lax about if you have plenty of power instead.
You can always leave your car a gear or two higher up the box or try to follow using fourth only and no braking.
REALIST123 said:
paintman said:
Ekona said:
Common sense says to let him past. Rather an idiot in front of you than behind you.
+1This. Always best to have the idiot in front.
Always best to have the idiot in front... hmm.
Here's a tale. True.
Many years back I had a t
t up my backside (not lit!) 
, and I'm sort of screaming in the rear view 'Get off my arse!' This was on the Oxford to Witney A40 when it had a treacherous 3 lane section on a sweeping bend (at this point no priority either way in the middle lane - seems unthinkable now). There had been a couple of head-on fatals when eventually and sensibly it was made 2 lanes. Anyway, back on topic. He (headcase, I didn't know at this point), starts to overtake me, he's into the middle lane - I'm on no death wish so I ease right off ...just as another vehicle appears heading towards him in the same lane! A few choice words leave my mouth as he 'just' gets back in, in front of me. I stick my full beam on (don't ever do this!) shouting a few more choice words. He accelerates away and (stupidly) as I'm still seething thinking of the pile up that could have happened, I keep up with him and I flash him a couple of times.
What happens next almost caught me out. F me!
I see a ton of tyre smoke as he does a really hard handbrake on! Fortunately, my brakes were good. Christ, I'm in shock, methinks it is now time to hold back. I let him go, hoping he'll disappear, if not up his own *****, then at least out of my sight. Unfortunately, I'm still behind him, but I've left a fair gap, hoping someone will overtake me and plug the gap. Nah. Couple miles or more, I'm still behind him but still at sensible distance.
We then approach a kerbed junction to a roundabout. He handbrakes again!
WTF? He jumps out and runs towards me (f
k everyone else, the traffic etc, he simply has one objective - he want's to pummel me 
) Hang on, I could be Giant Haystacks for all he knows? Now I'm really worried. He is NUTS!He signals for me to get out of my car, both fists going like merry hell.
Now, stupid, I'm not! So I tell him to f
k off, trying to grow in stature while pertinently locking the doors! He kept on with this anger (with traffic now building up behind) and then I note another driver about to get out of his car. He (nut) suddenly must have come to some sort of realisation his anger is non-productive, and he turns away and walks back - ...as he does so he raises his left arm high in the air and his clenched fist comes down on the front of my bonnet with an almighty bang!
His head shakes, his arm comes up slowly and he looks at his hand, seemingly in some pain.
I think he nearly broke it. Must have hurt!
I was driving a 'large' kit car at the time and the angled bonnet front was over a quarter inch thick GRP.
I still recall it.
So, motto is 'LET IDIOTS GO'.
And I mean 'go'.
Better to pull off, in some situations until they have 'gone'.
In fact, today, as I pointed out on the 'spade' thread, you just do not know anymore 'who' is on the road today, in front, opposite, alongside, or behind you.
Just be totally alert at all time. I am. More so today ...than ever in my years of driving.
Toltec said:
It does depend on what car you are in, the road conditions and how fast you are planning to drive.
Not to me. I've let people go when I'm in the TVR, which I am reasonably confident would have been nippy enough to stop the overtake.If it means I am going to be driving a bit more slowly for a few miles then so be it. I don't like having people I think are dangerous behind me, because you never know when they will try for an overtake anyways - I include on the approach to blind bends here, where I have been overtaken before now, mainly by people who I assume which to prove their Mondeo/Vectra and so on is more than a match for a TVR....
I will confess that I once let a VW Golf Gti go at the lights, then overtook him shortly afterwards (DC!).....
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