Why do so few people ‘use all of the road’?
Discussion
nonsequitur said:
What I find puzzling is that 'regular' drivers need to do this with all the inherant hazards involved.
(my bold)until you have learned the advantages / been on drives with those who can demonstrate this well, it is indeed hard to understand - you see lots of potential disadvantages, but have no basis for understanding the advantages...
in reality, no one needs to drive better than the level at which you can pass your test - the government considers that sufficient - however, there are those who believe that there can be advantages from improving their driving ability / standards / level / etc. They understand that by acquiring information earlier, they can build contingency and therefore safety - this can allow you to either drive at a higher pace but maintain safety levels - or at the same pace and increase contingency / safety... both of those are at least as safe as the 'regular driver' but both offer an advantage - pace or safety - neither offers a disadvantage - so why not consider gaining advantages?
those who cause accidents by off-siding are not doing what is suggested here - so are an irrelevance - the simple question is - can you gain advantage when safe to offside - if yes, then grab the opportunity - if not, then don't. The reality is that anyone can screw up - and there is absolute clarity on here that it would be stupid to offside when not safe - so that is not even in the discussion - and as discussed above, yes there can be advantage...
the inability to understand can be for many reasons - lack of experience / lack of skill / etc. - but an inability to understand doesn't make something wrong...
nonsequitur said:
Although some threads continue for years, most threads fade and fizzle out eventually, this one is no exception. PHers have had their say and both sides realise that is no longer practical to continue.
I personally believe that when the insults start to fly it is the beginning of the end. Insults are the product of arguments running their course, with no rational comments are forthcoming.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godwin%27s_lawI personally believe that when the insults start to fly it is the beginning of the end. Insults are the product of arguments running their course, with no rational comments are forthcoming.
akirk said:
nonsequitur said:
What I find puzzling is that 'regular' drivers need to do this with all the inherant hazards involved.
(my bold)until you have learned the advantages / been on drives with those who can demonstrate this well, it is indeed hard to understand - you see lots of potential disadvantages, but have no basis for understanding the advantages...
in reality, no one needs to drive better than the level at which you can pass your test - the government considers that sufficient - however, there are those who believe that there can be advantages from improving their driving ability / standards / level / etc. They understand that by acquiring information earlier, they can build contingency and therefore safety - this can allow you to either drive at a higher pace but maintain safety levels - or at the same pace and increase contingency / safety... both of those are at least as safe as the 'regular driver' but both offer an advantage - pace or safety - neither offers a disadvantage - so why not consider gaining advantages?
those who cause accidents by off-siding are not doing what is suggested here - so are an irrelevance - the simple question is - can you gain advantage when safe to offside - if yes, then grab the opportunity - if not, then don't. The reality is that anyone can screw up - and there is absolute clarity on here that it would be stupid to offside when not safe - so that is not even in the discussion - and as discussed above, yes there can be advantage...
the inability to understand can be for many reasons - lack of experience / lack of skill / etc. - but an inability to understand doesn't make something wrong...
nonsequitur said:
I only find it puzzling. I am quite able to understand that some drivers need to gain a second or two by straightlining.
Offsiding isn't about getting to the destination a second or two earlier, but about gaining an extra half second or so warning of hazards that would otherwise be hidden.nonsequitur said:
vantara said:
The silence from the argumentative few since Reg posted has been deafening 
Although some threads continue for years, most threads fade and fizzle out eventually, this one is no exception. PHers have had their say and both sides realise that is no longer practical to continue.I personally believe that when the insults start to fly it is the beginning of the end. Insults are the product of arguments running their course, with no rational comments are forthcoming.
I saw Reg's video and was very informative. He is an ex police driver instructor and I was not surprised to see that he was recommending straightlining, as we all realise is that police vehicles have to be somewhere else very quickly so cutting corners, and other tactics, by them was no surprise to me.
What I find puzzling is that 'regular' drivers need to do this with all the inherant hazards involved.
Edited by nonsequitur on Monday 4th March 11:30
I think you maybe seeing it from a different perspective. I dont think anyone is advocating crossing the line wihout being able to see and putting youself in a dangerous position. Its on those occasions when you are already in a position of good sight, but that following the curve of the road will actually reduce your ability to see the way forward.
Near me, a twisty road is made much safer by maintaining sightlines. You could go much slower of course and that is an alternative.
Dr Jekyll said:
nonsequitur said:
I only find it puzzling. I am quite able to understand that some drivers need to gain a second or two by straightlining.
Offsiding isn't about getting to the destination a second or two earlier, but about gaining an extra half second or so warning of hazards that would otherwise be hidden.(Masculine includes the feminine, etc)
Edited by Pica-Pica on Monday 4th March 13:13
nonsequitur said:
I only find it puzzling. I am quite able to understand that some drivers need to gain a second or two by straightlining.
It isn't always to gain a personal advantage. In some instances you also give oncoming traffic the advantage by being visible.I often drive down narrow country roads with high sided hedges. Often they're nsl but God knows why. In some instances where you have passing places it benefits both if you don't hug the left. A second or two of visibility can help massively.
SOL111 said:
It isn't always to gain a personal advantage. In some instances you also give oncoming traffic the advantage by being visible.
I often drive down narrow country roads with high sided hedges. Often they're nsl but God knows why. In some instances where you have passing places it benefits both if you don't hug the left. A second or two of visibility can help massively.
this.I often drive down narrow country roads with high sided hedges. Often they're nsl but God knows why. In some instances where you have passing places it benefits both if you don't hug the left. A second or two of visibility can help massively.
i'm surprised this thread is still going.
I can't speak for Oz, but i think the reason for it being illegal in NZ is that the roads are very undulating with frequent hidden dips. this is pretty much the whole country and so on balance it could be reasonably argued that drivers should stay on their side of the road. the few hidden dips in the UK are easily signposted. of course straightening the road is good for 'racing' but positioning on the road is key for visibility and safety. just as when you're on a down motorway ramp you keep right and on an up ramp keep left.
vonhosen said:
GOATever said:
Why do so few people ‘use all of the road’?
So few?I'd say too many do!
i.e. More than actually know how to do it appropriately (when/where/how/why).
DoubleD said:
vonhosen said:
GOATever said:
Why do so few people ‘use all of the road’?
So few?I'd say too many do!
i.e. More than actually know how to do it appropriately (when/where/how/why).
I see more people using all the road/straight lining/wandering inappropriately than appropriately.
vonhosen said:
DoubleD said:
vonhosen said:
GOATever said:
Why do so few people ‘use all of the road’?
So few?I'd say too many do!
i.e. More than actually know how to do it appropriately (when/where/how/why).
I see more people using all the road/straight lining/wandering inappropriately than appropriately.
I sometimes see people drifting over the line, but that seems to be more down to them not paying attention. I hardly ever see someone doing it on purpose!
vonhosen said:
DoubleD said:
vonhosen said:
GOATever said:
Why do so few people ‘use all of the road’?
So few?I'd say too many do!
i.e. More than actually know how to do it appropriately (when/where/how/why).
I see more people using all the road/straight lining/wandering inappropriately than appropriately.
On the next straight I slowed down and he overtook. Glad to have him away from me.nonsequitur said:
Yes von. Last weekend the car behind me straightlined the sleightest bend in the road. All over the shop. On the next straight I slowed down and he overtook. Glad to have him away from me.
Last weekend I followed a car that stuck to every curve in the road, denying themselves the ability to see the road ahead. I followed at a safe distance, crossing the center line when safe to do so, maintaining my distance and a slightly lower roadspeed, giving myself easier braking (both being at a lower speed and not cornering). On the next straight I slowed down and he overtook. Glad to have him away from me.Eventually overtook safely on an appropriate straight, was glad to be away from him.
Gary C said:
nonsequitur said:
Yes von. Last weekend the car behind me straightlined the sleightest bend in the road. All over the shop. On the next straight I slowed down and he overtook. Glad to have him away from me.
Last weekend I followed a car that stuck to every curve in the road, denying themselves the ability to see the road ahead. I followed at a safe distance, crossing the center line when safe to do so, maintaining my distance and a slightly lower roadspeed, giving myself easier braking (both being at a lower speed and not cornering). On the next straight I slowed down and he overtook. Glad to have him away from me.Eventually overtook safely on an appropriate straight, was glad to be away from him.
That could have been me, (metaphorically), as I always stick to my lane and have no trouble in safely negotiating curves and bends. I can see the road ahead and plan accordingly.
I am sure that driver heaved a sigh of relief as you sped by, legitimately, on the other side of the road, and disappeared into the distance.
nonsequitur said:
Gary C said:
nonsequitur said:
Yes von. Last weekend the car behind me straightlined the sleightest bend in the road. All over the shop. On the next straight I slowed down and he overtook. Glad to have him away from me.
Last weekend I followed a car that stuck to every curve in the road, denying themselves the ability to see the road ahead. I followed at a safe distance, crossing the center line when safe to do so, maintaining my distance and a slightly lower roadspeed, giving myself easier braking (both being at a lower speed and not cornering). On the next straight I slowed down and he overtook. Glad to have him away from me.Eventually overtook safely on an appropriate straight, was glad to be away from him.
That could have been me, (metaphorically), as I always stick to my lane and have no trouble in safely negotiating curves and bends. I can see the road ahead and plan accordingly.
I am sure that driver heaved a sigh of relief as you sped by, legitimately, on the other side of the road, and disappeared into the distance.
- straighter driving - less lateral movement = safer
- greater visibility and picking up information earlier = safer
so, I know which the 'better' approach would be (assuming of course a driver with the intelligence to do it properly...!)
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