Speeding whilst overtaking
Discussion
For the first time I can conciously recall, I overtook a police car on a SC road yesterday, which felt pretty wierd. We came out of a small town on a twisty B road and he just totally failed to get moving, so I thought "to hell with this" and got ready to pass on an impending straight.
Set my car's speed limiter to 61 and went for it. Must say it felt really wierd and unsafe as I was on the wrong side of the road much longer than usual. It says a lot about my expectations of modern BiB that I was half expecting to be pulled for some spurious reason, but he didn't react.
Set my car's speed limiter to 61 and went for it. Must say it felt really wierd and unsafe as I was on the wrong side of the road much longer than usual. It says a lot about my expectations of modern BiB that I was half expecting to be pulled for some spurious reason, but he didn't react.
Johnnytheboy said:
For the first time I can conciously recall, I overtook a police car on a SC road yesterday, which felt pretty wierd. We came out of a small town on a twisty B road and he just totally failed to get moving, so I thought "to hell with this" and got ready to pass on an impending straight.
Set my car's speed limiter to 61 and went for it. Must say it felt really wierd and unsafe as I was on the wrong side of the road much longer than usual. It says a lot about my expectations of modern BiB that I was half expecting to be pulled for some spurious reason, but he didn't react.
What for? Man-up and grow a pair!Set my car's speed limiter to 61 and went for it. Must say it felt really wierd and unsafe as I was on the wrong side of the road much longer than usual. It says a lot about my expectations of modern BiB that I was half expecting to be pulled for some spurious reason, but he didn't react.
If the police are slower than the limit then overtake if it's worthwhile.
If it's a couple of mph below the limit queue-up and drive, it doesn't hurt.
It shows the crap knowledge of speed limits and traffic regs when you have hundreds of vehicles in a queue behind a 65mph police vehicle on a motorway.
D..R..I..V..E.....P..A..S.T....The reason why the police are doing 65 mph is so you will do just that!
The scenario I keep coming up against is when you're stuck behind someone on country roads who drives very cautiously with anything that even resembles a bend, where it's impossible to safely overtake, but then speeds up on the straights where you can. You can therefore only overtake by breaking the speed limit.
So, to overtake without breaking the speed limit you have to do it dangerously, but when it's safe to overtake you're breaking the law.
Ideally the driver in front should pull over and let you pass, in fact, why isn't there a penalty for that?
So, to overtake without breaking the speed limit you have to do it dangerously, but when it's safe to overtake you're breaking the law.
Ideally the driver in front should pull over and let you pass, in fact, why isn't there a penalty for that?
bryan35 said:
The scenario I keep coming up against is when you're stuck behind someone on country roads who drives very cautiously with anything that even resembles a bend, where it's impossible to safely overtake, but then speeds up on the straights where you can. You can therefore only overtake by breaking the speed limit.
So, to overtake without breaking the speed limit you have to do it dangerously, but when it's safe to overtake you're breaking the law.
Ideally the driver in front should pull over and let you pass, in fact, why isn't there a penalty for that?
Yes, I'm well aware of the problem, but there are too many variations of circumstances, and nobody around to judge them and apply the penalty anyhow. I favour some good driver education campaigns on prime time TV to try and reduce this sort of problem. That would be much better than some of the rubbish that is transmitted.So, to overtake without breaking the speed limit you have to do it dangerously, but when it's safe to overtake you're breaking the law.
Ideally the driver in front should pull over and let you pass, in fact, why isn't there a penalty for that?
Best wishes all,
Dave.
It is not legal to exceed the limit to overtake even if it may be the safest option(but safety and legal don't always go hand-in-hand) but I got caught speeding under those circumstances and had to visit the magistrates court.
In the summary the Mag commented along the lines of speeding whilst overtaking being less gratuitous than speeding just for speedings sake and I got a lighter penalty than all around me had predicted.
So, in my case anyway, not a defence but a mitigation.
In the summary the Mag commented along the lines of speeding whilst overtaking being less gratuitous than speeding just for speedings sake and I got a lighter penalty than all around me had predicted.
So, in my case anyway, not a defence but a mitigation.
bryan35 said:
The scenario I keep coming up against is when you're stuck behind someone on country roads who drives very cautiously with anything that even resembles a bend, where it's impossible to safely overtake, but then speeds up on the straights where you can. You can therefore only overtake by breaking the speed limit.
So, to overtake without breaking the speed limit you have to do it dangerously, but when it's safe to overtake you're breaking the law.
Ideally the driver in front should pull over and let you pass, in fact, why isn't there a penalty for that?
Ideally they would pull over however if you have to overtake "dangerously" then ideally, don't.So, to overtake without breaking the speed limit you have to do it dangerously, but when it's safe to overtake you're breaking the law.
Ideally the driver in front should pull over and let you pass, in fact, why isn't there a penalty for that?
pitmansboots said:
Ideally they would pull over however if you have to overtake "dangerously" then ideally, don't.
Exceeding a speed limit is not inherently dangerous, therefore overtaking by use of exceeding an arbitrary number is not dangerous.It is however illegal, at this point in time.
Unless they were travelling slowly ALL THE TIME thus holding you up, why would you need to overtake at all?
Is it the 'red mist' we hear about that insists we MUST be in front...what?
Is there some sort of prize for getting in front of a line of traffic?
Genuine question, as there is a road near me B1230 (partial D/C)where it drops from a NSL 60 to a 50 then 40 until finally a 30 through a village where there is a school that fronts the main road. Now people almost break their necks and the 30mph limit to get in front of a steadily moving line of traffic on this road only to turn off a little way past the school...I have never understood why.
Is it the 'red mist' we hear about that insists we MUST be in front...what?
Is there some sort of prize for getting in front of a line of traffic?
Genuine question, as there is a road near me B1230 (partial D/C)where it drops from a NSL 60 to a 50 then 40 until finally a 30 through a village where there is a school that fronts the main road. Now people almost break their necks and the 30mph limit to get in front of a steadily moving line of traffic on this road only to turn off a little way past the school...I have never understood why.
otolith said:
oldsoak said:
Unless they were travelling slowly ALL THE TIME thus holding you up, why would you need to overtake at all?
Surely, to hold someone up it is only necessary to have a lower average speed, not to be slower at all times?Do you know why those folks on the B1230 always want to get in front despite everyone else travelling perfectly steadily not holding anyone up (that are travelling within the speed limits that is)? Or are you just picking holes to get a 'rise'?
oldsoak said:
otolith said:
oldsoak said:
Unless they were travelling slowly ALL THE TIME thus holding you up, why would you need to overtake at all?
Surely, to hold someone up it is only necessary to have a lower average speed, not to be slower at all times?Do you know why those folks on the B1230 always want to get in front despite everyone else travelling perfectly steadily not holding anyone up (that are travelling within the speed limits that is)? Or are you just picking holes to get a 'rise'?
bryan35 said:
The scenario I keep coming up against is when you're stuck behind someone on country roads who drives very cautiously with anything that even resembles a bend, where it's impossible to safely overtake, but then speeds up on the straights where you can. You can therefore only overtake by breaking the speed limit.
oldsoak said:
Unless they were travelling slowly ALL THE TIME thus holding you up, why would you need to overtake at all?
Is it the 'red mist' we hear about that insists we MUST be in front...what?
Is there some sort of prize for getting in front of a line of traffic?
Genuine question, as there is a road near me B1230 (partial D/C)where it drops from a NSL 60 to a 50 then 40 until finally a 30 through a village where there is a school that fronts the main road. Now people almost break their necks and the 30mph limit to get in front of a steadily moving line of traffic on this road only to turn off a little way past the school...I have never understood why.
well, to be fair I didn't mention a line of traffic, just someone driving very slow who's impossible to overtake, then speeds up on the overtaking bits.Is it the 'red mist' we hear about that insists we MUST be in front...what?
Is there some sort of prize for getting in front of a line of traffic?
Genuine question, as there is a road near me B1230 (partial D/C)where it drops from a NSL 60 to a 50 then 40 until finally a 30 through a village where there is a school that fronts the main road. Now people almost break their necks and the 30mph limit to get in front of a steadily moving line of traffic on this road only to turn off a little way past the school...I have never understood why.
These drivers also tend to a bit unpredictable with their braking, creating stress.
So, the prize is making progress, saving fuel, and lower stress levels.
bryan35 said:
oldsoak said:
Unless they were travelling slowly ALL THE TIME thus holding you up, why would you need to overtake at all?
Is it the 'red mist' we hear about that insists we MUST be in front...what?
Is there some sort of prize for getting in front of a line of traffic?
Genuine question, as there is a road near me B1230 (partial D/C)where it drops from a NSL 60 to a 50 then 40 until finally a 30 through a village where there is a school that fronts the main road. Now people almost break their necks and the 30mph limit to get in front of a steadily moving line of traffic on this road only to turn off a little way past the school...I have never understood why.
well, to be fair I didn't mention a line of traffic, just someone driving very slow who's impossible to overtake, then speeds up on the overtaking bits.Is it the 'red mist' we hear about that insists we MUST be in front...what?
Is there some sort of prize for getting in front of a line of traffic?
Genuine question, as there is a road near me B1230 (partial D/C)where it drops from a NSL 60 to a 50 then 40 until finally a 30 through a village where there is a school that fronts the main road. Now people almost break their necks and the 30mph limit to get in front of a steadily moving line of traffic on this road only to turn off a little way past the school...I have never understood why.
These drivers also tend to a bit unpredictable with their braking, creating stress.
So, the prize is making progress, saving fuel, and lower stress levels.
IMHO tackling this by means of educational campaigns would be quite rewarding. The idea is to get road users to be more aware of each other and what others may wish to do, and be a bit co-operative. I think that would yield a useful improvement without needing any more formal rules that can't be enforced anyhow.
Best wishes all,
Dave.
p1esk said:
bryan35 said:
oldsoak said:
Unless they were travelling slowly ALL THE TIME thus holding you up, why would you need to overtake at all?
Is it the 'red mist' we hear about that insists we MUST be in front...what?
Is there some sort of prize for getting in front of a line of traffic?
Genuine question, as there is a road near me B1230 (partial D/C)where it drops from a NSL 60 to a 50 then 40 until finally a 30 through a village where there is a school that fronts the main road. Now people almost break their necks and the 30mph limit to get in front of a steadily moving line of traffic on this road only to turn off a little way past the school...I have never understood why.
well, to be fair I didn't mention a line of traffic, just someone driving very slow who's impossible to overtake, then speeds up on the overtaking bits.Is it the 'red mist' we hear about that insists we MUST be in front...what?
Is there some sort of prize for getting in front of a line of traffic?
Genuine question, as there is a road near me B1230 (partial D/C)where it drops from a NSL 60 to a 50 then 40 until finally a 30 through a village where there is a school that fronts the main road. Now people almost break their necks and the 30mph limit to get in front of a steadily moving line of traffic on this road only to turn off a little way past the school...I have never understood why.
These drivers also tend to a bit unpredictable with their braking, creating stress.
So, the prize is making progress, saving fuel, and lower stress levels.
IMHO tackling this by means of educational campaigns would be quite rewarding. The idea is to get road users to be more aware of each other and what others may wish to do, and be a bit co-operative. I think that would yield a useful improvement without needing any more formal rules that can't be enforced anyhow.
Best wishes all,
Dave.
Far too often we see people glued to the car in front when a little patience and giving them a bit of space often opens the gap wide enough to be able to spot an overtaking opportunity quicker and easier than it is at close quarters. By being too close you are contributing to your own frustrations and heightened stress levels. Every journey shouldn't be a race where you need to be vying for pole position all the time...driving should be enjoyable not stressful. It's people wanting to get to their destinations two or three seconds earlier than the next person that cause all the stress.
bryan35 said:
oldsoak said:
Unless they were travelling slowly ALL THE TIME thus holding you up, why would you need to overtake at all?
Is it the 'red mist' we hear about that insists we MUST be in front...what?
Is there some sort of prize for getting in front of a line of traffic?
Genuine question, as there is a road near me B1230 (partial D/C)where it drops from a NSL 60 to a 50 then 40 until finally a 30 through a village where there is a school that fronts the main road. Now people almost break their necks and the 30mph limit to get in front of a steadily moving line of traffic on this road only to turn off a little way past the school...I have never understood why.
well, to be fair I didn't mention a line of traffic, just someone driving very slow who's impossible to overtake, then speeds up on the overtaking bits.Is it the 'red mist' we hear about that insists we MUST be in front...what?
Is there some sort of prize for getting in front of a line of traffic?
Genuine question, as there is a road near me B1230 (partial D/C)where it drops from a NSL 60 to a 50 then 40 until finally a 30 through a village where there is a school that fronts the main road. Now people almost break their necks and the 30mph limit to get in front of a steadily moving line of traffic on this road only to turn off a little way past the school...I have never understood why.
These drivers also tend to a bit unpredictable with their braking, creating stress.
So, the prize is making progress, saving fuel, and lower stress levels.
Perhaps they think they are driving at an appropriate & legal speed for both & it's you that's trying to out drive the limit point on the bends.
Edited by vonhosen on Sunday 13th September 18:42
vonhosen said:
bryan35 said:
oldsoak said:
Unless they were travelling slowly ALL THE TIME thus holding you up, why would you need to overtake at all?
Is it the 'red mist' we hear about that insists we MUST be in front...what?
Is there some sort of prize for getting in front of a line of traffic?
Genuine question, as there is a road near me B1230 (partial D/C)where it drops from a NSL 60 to a 50 then 40 until finally a 30 through a village where there is a school that fronts the main road. Now people almost break their necks and the 30mph limit to get in front of a steadily moving line of traffic on this road only to turn off a little way past the school...I have never understood why.
well, to be fair I didn't mention a line of traffic, just someone driving very slow who's impossible to overtake, then speeds up on the overtaking bits.Is it the 'red mist' we hear about that insists we MUST be in front...what?
Is there some sort of prize for getting in front of a line of traffic?
Genuine question, as there is a road near me B1230 (partial D/C)where it drops from a NSL 60 to a 50 then 40 until finally a 30 through a village where there is a school that fronts the main road. Now people almost break their necks and the 30mph limit to get in front of a steadily moving line of traffic on this road only to turn off a little way past the school...I have never understood why.
These drivers also tend to a bit unpredictable with their braking, creating stress.
So, the prize is making progress, saving fuel, and lower stress levels.
Perhaps they think they are driving at an appropriate & legal speed for both & it's you that's trying to out drive the limit point on the bends.
Edited by vonhosen on Sunday 13th September 18:42
vonhosen said:
Perhaps they think they are driving at an appropriate & legal speed for both & it's you that's trying to out drive the limit point on the bends.
They probably do - there is a huge range of safe and legal speeds for any given stretch of road, often the entire range of speeds from 0 to the prevailing limit. It is perfectly possible to be safe, legal and a pain in the arse to other motorists who also wish to proceed at a safe and legal speed - just a faster one.
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