Overtake haters
Discussion
Usually do multiple over takes each day and they are mostly uneventful.. no head lamp flashing or silly antics etc.
Sometimes when I appear quickly in their mirrors they'll even see me coming, start indicating to the left, move as far over to the kerb as possible and lift slightly, allowing me to clear them a little sooner. The first few times this happened I thought the car in front was turning into a side road - it was only after I'd passed that I noticed there was no side road and they instantly stopped indicating and proceeded as normal. excellent service
On the odd occasions when they have done a quick main beam test I've assumed that this was a just a courteous HGV style signal to say 'you're clear, pull back in when you like' due to my compromised rear visibility. A couple of times it has also turned out to be a mate or work colleague who recognised me.
Only rarely have I had the 20 second piss take flash, or the fool who was previously content to travel at 35mph deciding that they should now travel at exactly the same speed as me with their main beams flashing. Tiny minority though.
Maybe there is a regional element coming into play?
Sometimes when I appear quickly in their mirrors they'll even see me coming, start indicating to the left, move as far over to the kerb as possible and lift slightly, allowing me to clear them a little sooner. The first few times this happened I thought the car in front was turning into a side road - it was only after I'd passed that I noticed there was no side road and they instantly stopped indicating and proceeded as normal. excellent service
On the odd occasions when they have done a quick main beam test I've assumed that this was a just a courteous HGV style signal to say 'you're clear, pull back in when you like' due to my compromised rear visibility. A couple of times it has also turned out to be a mate or work colleague who recognised me.
Only rarely have I had the 20 second piss take flash, or the fool who was previously content to travel at 35mph deciding that they should now travel at exactly the same speed as me with their main beams flashing. Tiny minority though.
Maybe there is a regional element coming into play?
I like it when someone sees you approaching in their mirror and help you by slowing down slightly (to make an overtake easier), indicating if they can see ahead better than you, or just moving over slightly so i can see down the side of them. it takes no effort at all for people to do this yet makes everything so much simpler and safer.
its the t
ts that make it difficult to pass that need ramming off the road.
I used to commute quite a long distance and theres always people plodding along as stupid speeds so i would be overtaking quite alot on my journey, without fail, every day there would be some tosser who would speed up as you started to overtake!
this absolutely boils my piss!
it got to the point where if someone did this, I didnt give a fk, I would move back into the space where i would have gone in if they hadnt sped up, if they were in that space, then theyd best get on the brakes!
as for people flashing, i get it all the time, im very sensible with my over takes yet they have some form of problem, like the OP, i give them a very friendly wave and smile in return as i assume theyre flashing because they know me?
anyone else have the car being overtaken speed up?
its the t
ts that make it difficult to pass that need ramming off the road.I used to commute quite a long distance and theres always people plodding along as stupid speeds so i would be overtaking quite alot on my journey, without fail, every day there would be some tosser who would speed up as you started to overtake!
this absolutely boils my piss!
it got to the point where if someone did this, I didnt give a f
k, I would move back into the space where i would have gone in if they hadnt sped up, if they were in that space, then theyd best get on the brakes!as for people flashing, i get it all the time, im very sensible with my over takes yet they have some form of problem, like the OP, i give them a very friendly wave and smile in return as i assume theyre flashing because they know me?
anyone else have the car being overtaken speed up?
I've had a muppet obstruct me whilst I was doing a crawler lane overtake- Lots of traffic all dawdling at 40ish and I was just cruising past up the hill. Identified a huge gap between Focus fkwit and car in front and gently eased off gas/started drifting in well before the throwback arrows. Next thing I realise as I check the mirror again is that the gap has all but disappeared.
I continued merging since I didn't fancy being pushed into oncoming traffic on the brow. Cure furious beeping, etc. Completely failing to realise he was the dangerous one creating a hazard for no bloody reason whatsoever!
kwit and car in front and gently eased off gas/started drifting in well before the throwback arrows. Next thing I realise as I check the mirror again is that the gap has all but disappeared.I continued merging since I didn't fancy being pushed into oncoming traffic on the brow. Cure furious beeping, etc. Completely failing to realise he was the dangerous one creating a hazard for no bloody reason whatsoever!
deltashad said:
Scottish too. I've had people close the gap purposely in front of me. Then when you try to pull back in they continue to accelerate dangerously close to your rear bumper and hit the full beam
I find overtaking is more 'acceptable' in Scotland. Overtakes rarely result in crazy flashes.Sorry to say but a large proportion of English drivers often come across as miserable jealous people who hate the idea that you may have got one over them by queue jumping. It's the same reason so many self proclaimed captains of the road will sit at 70 in the outside lane of a motorway or d/c intentionally blocking any pass.
In my experience, this situation is all but non existent in European driving. Our European cousins may not drive quicker but they certainly do not seem to take offence at the decision of others to do so.
Howard- said:
A similar situation arose when I was queueing to come off the M3 at the M25 junction, there's a huge two-lane sliproad onto the M25 which had stationary traffic, and it was ALL in the left lane, so I took the opportunity to nip up the outside lane and merge carefully in at the end. Of course a couple of cars took offense and fervently drove 2 inches from the car in front in order to block me from merging, but they're idiots.
I do that journey most daysAlmost without exception - anyone who does the "shoot up the outside and nip in" leave it until the 200 foot strip of road between M25N and M25S.
They take up someone's braking distance. So the car behind has to brake - and the conga line of brake lights come on.
Everyone downstream gets affected - and it adds to the number of cars moving slowly in the left hand lane.
The lanes are signed about 2 miles out. If everyone just kept their momentum and kept in the correct lane in plenty of time. We would all get to where we are going in less time.
Edited by Troubleatmill on Saturday 11th January 10:49
Edited by Troubleatmill on Saturday 11th January 10:49
I found I was occasionally being flashed by an overtaken car, even when there were no oncoming cars. I think they had been shocked by my car, suddenly appearing.
I realised my Honda S2000, & particularly my 4.6L Triumph TR8 were both a bit noisy on full throttle, & I might be frightening inattentive drivers with my sudden appearance. With these rapidly accelerating cars, I have taken to easing to cruise throttle as I come along side, making much less noise. The flashing has almost stopped.
I was occasionally being flashed by oncoming cars, even when I had completely returned to my side of the road with 2/300 meters to spare.
I now indicate my return to my side of the road as I come along side the overtaken car. This appears to help an oncoming driver relax, & feel safe, & again no more flashing.
Many drivers who never overtake, have little judgment of closing speed & distance, so I try to minimize their worry. It does work.
I realised my Honda S2000, & particularly my 4.6L Triumph TR8 were both a bit noisy on full throttle, & I might be frightening inattentive drivers with my sudden appearance. With these rapidly accelerating cars, I have taken to easing to cruise throttle as I come along side, making much less noise. The flashing has almost stopped.
I was occasionally being flashed by oncoming cars, even when I had completely returned to my side of the road with 2/300 meters to spare.
I now indicate my return to my side of the road as I come along side the overtaken car. This appears to help an oncoming driver relax, & feel safe, & again no more flashing.
Many drivers who never overtake, have little judgment of closing speed & distance, so I try to minimize their worry. It does work.
Hasbeen said:
I found I was occasionally being flashed by an overtaken car, even when there were no oncoming cars. I think they had been shocked by my car, suddenly appearing.
I realised my Honda S2000, & particularly my 4.6L Triumph TR8 were both a bit noisy on full throttle, & I might be frightening inattentive drivers with my sudden appearance. With these rapidly accelerating cars, I have taken to easing to cruise throttle as I come along side, making much less noise. The flashing has almost stopped.
I was occasionally being flashed by oncoming cars, even when I had completely returned to my side of the road with 2/300 meters to spare.
I now indicate my return to my side of the road as I come along side the overtaken car. This appears to help an oncoming driver relax, & feel safe, & again no more flashing.
Many drivers who never overtake, have little judgment of closing speed & distance, so I try to minimize their worry. It does work.
I always thought the quick flash given after being overtaken was an acknowledgement that the over take was a good one, mostly done by the older generation, can't say i do it myself.I realised my Honda S2000, & particularly my 4.6L Triumph TR8 were both a bit noisy on full throttle, & I might be frightening inattentive drivers with my sudden appearance. With these rapidly accelerating cars, I have taken to easing to cruise throttle as I come along side, making much less noise. The flashing has almost stopped.
I was occasionally being flashed by oncoming cars, even when I had completely returned to my side of the road with 2/300 meters to spare.
I now indicate my return to my side of the road as I come along side the overtaken car. This appears to help an oncoming driver relax, & feel safe, & again no more flashing.
Many drivers who never overtake, have little judgment of closing speed & distance, so I try to minimize their worry. It does work.
I followed a guy in a Merc for some miles through a nsl. He never got past 40 mph. Kept a good distance and waited. Eventually a perfect overtake presented itself, arrow straight road for more than half a mile, no side roads, no oncoming traffic, even a very slight uphill gradient to ensure perfect forward view this along with nearly 500bhp meant it was about the safest overtake you'll ever see. However I was still treated to a display of headlight flashing and hand gestures.
yer i would say that a quick flash is a 'well done old chap!' gesture
if the lights are held on or flashes lots in quick succession. then i see that as a 'wtf, are you out of your mind over taking me?! ass hole' gesture.
as for drivers being scared by your sudden approach and noise as you pass... maybe it will wake the dozy buggers up as they clearly arent paying attention
if the lights are held on or flashes lots in quick succession. then i see that as a 'wtf, are you out of your mind over taking me?! ass hole' gesture.
as for drivers being scared by your sudden approach and noise as you pass... maybe it will wake the dozy buggers up as they clearly arent paying attention
GreatPretender said:
Amen brother.
I am consistently reminded by my otherwise very intelligent other half that overtaking is "illegal". It's the first thing she brings up at family get-togethers: "my other half drives dangerously".
That's the worry, we're not talking about idiots here. I am consistently reminded by my otherwise very intelligent other half that overtaking is "illegal". It's the first thing she brings up at family get-togethers: "my other half drives dangerously".
Two other thoughts here:-
- My commute to work includes 5-6 miles of wide trunk-road, which is easily wide enough (>4 cars total) for a SAFE overtake with oncoming traffic, as long as the overtakee keeps reasonably left...quite often I have to cut-in early because someone's seeing-eye dog is clearly on holiday / mirrors are all broken, and they're sitting by the centreline. I'm one of the minority who DOES overtake along here, and I try to plan my return points well in advance and aim for good gaps. BUT...I do see a fair few people who don't plan, and who overtake in completely inappropriate points, and then have to push their way back in or force others to manoeuvre to avoid them. THIS may well contribute to the general opinion that "overtaking is dangerous".
- Someone I overtook on the way home one evening happened to be going to the same supermarket about 5 mins after, and wandered over to me as I got out of the car. Initially expecting some abuse, I was pleasantly taken aback when he asked if I was an advanced driver because of the way I overtook! Faith in humanity restored for that week, we had a good chat on the way into the supermarket about cars and driving...
- My commute to work includes 5-6 miles of wide trunk-road, which is easily wide enough (>4 cars total) for a SAFE overtake with oncoming traffic, as long as the overtakee keeps reasonably left...quite often I have to cut-in early because someone's seeing-eye dog is clearly on holiday / mirrors are all broken, and they're sitting by the centreline. I'm one of the minority who DOES overtake along here, and I try to plan my return points well in advance and aim for good gaps. BUT...I do see a fair few people who don't plan, and who overtake in completely inappropriate points, and then have to push their way back in or force others to manoeuvre to avoid them. THIS may well contribute to the general opinion that "overtaking is dangerous".
- Someone I overtook on the way home one evening happened to be going to the same supermarket about 5 mins after, and wandered over to me as I got out of the car. Initially expecting some abuse, I was pleasantly taken aback when he asked if I was an advanced driver because of the way I overtook! Faith in humanity restored for that week, we had a good chat on the way into the supermarket about cars and driving...
g3org3y said:
I find overtaking is more 'acceptable' in Scotland. Overtakes rarely result in crazy flashes.
Sorry to say but a large proportion of English drivers often come across as miserable jealous people who hate the idea that you may have got one over them by queue jumping.
I've lived for long periods of time on both sides of the border and have to agree with your observation. Think your explanation goes it bit far. The problem lies not within the English psyce but the fact where large concentrations of vehicles and lots of duel carriage ways exist drivers are not used to overtaking, being overtaken or seeing cars coming towards them on their side of the road. In Scotland we're used to it, weigh up whether or the oncoming car is going to hit us and back off a bit where required.Sorry to say but a large proportion of English drivers often come across as miserable jealous people who hate the idea that you may have got one over them by queue jumping.
As for bikers? Can I just say get used to being flashed. The problem is we have a vehicle that allows us the overtake where car drivers couldn't dream of. As a result we can pass cars with a huge speed differential, making loads of noise in places they just don't expect. The effect is a bit like a low flying jet parting your hair (which is pretty close to your head if you're me) as you bumble along a country lane in an open soft-top on a sunny day. As a driver you jump out of your skin. Some will react (a high speed train once tore over my head while I was sitting stationary under a metal bridge at traffic lights. Got such a fright I'm going to kill the driver if I ever find him). Some wont. Live with it.
Troubleatmill said:
I do that journey most days
Almost without exception - anyone who does the "shoot up the outside and nip in" leave it until the 200 foot strip of road between M25N and M25S.
They take up someone's braking distance. So the car behind has to brake - and the conga line of brake lights come on.
Everyone downstream gets affected - and it adds to the number of cars moving slowly in the left hand lane.
The lanes are signed about 2 miles out. If everyone just kept their momentum and kept in the correct lane in plenty of time. We would all get to where we are going in less time.
No, I'm talking about here:Almost without exception - anyone who does the "shoot up the outside and nip in" leave it until the 200 foot strip of road between M25N and M25S.
They take up someone's braking distance. So the car behind has to brake - and the conga line of brake lights come on.
Everyone downstream gets affected - and it adds to the number of cars moving slowly in the left hand lane.
The lanes are signed about 2 miles out. If everyone just kept their momentum and kept in the correct lane in plenty of time. We would all get to where we are going in less time.
Edited by Troubleatmill on Saturday 11th January 10:49
Edited by Troubleatmill on Saturday 11th January 10:49
http://goo.gl/maps/8CF8y
Once you're off the M3 onto the slip for M25 south.
swisstoni said:
Surprised some of them actually know how to flash their headlights at short notice.
Extract from the BRAKE Handbook of Safer Driving...Rule No 5....When driving on a public highway, always have one hand on your headlight flasher to show oncoming overtakers what's what. If the overtaker appears to be confused by this, remove your other hand from the steering wheel, clench your fist and vigorously wave it at him.
Rule No 6....If you are proceeding through a green light and a cyclist rides through a red light and across your path, always stop and give way to him. This is a normal manoeuvre for cyclists and they always have right of way. Give a polite wave and smile at them, in order to bring harmony to the highway.
J4CKO said:
I think a lot don't have any comprehension about overtaking ability beyond their mighty 1.6 Astra or Focus, "its pretty nippy you know"
THIS is the problem...I have had passenger literally scream as I've gone for an overtake in my car which "only" has 300bhp odd. Some people cannot contemplate full throttle in their 2.0tdi let alone something a little brisk. Throw superbikes in an it just does not compute how you would be so "reckless" to go for an overtake!
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