How do you cope with slow, dawdling, indecisive drivers?
Discussion
I know I need to chill out, but I'm getting so frustrated these days, even on short journeys
This morning for example. Bin truck was down the street. He saw me getting in the car, and starting it up and as soon as I started setting off he moved and blocked me in the drive, so admittedly I was already not in the best frame of mind
Next junction a Discovery pulled out, and then proceeded to do a fluctuating speed of between 18 and 25. I tried to remain calm as he was weaving all over the road, braking for no apparent reason etc
I eventually got a safe overtaking opportunity only to be met by a Defender who was at a standstill in the road with no traffic in front of him. No idea what he was doing, looking at the scenery perhaps? He started moving off, then eventually pulled over in a layby
Then I was behind a 206, who was again doing between 20-30 in a 40 zone, braking for puddles (?), braking when a car came in the other direction
So I arrive at work feeling so wound up
I know people will say set off earlier, relax, etc
I'm not saying anyone should race around with their arse on fire, or break speed limits, but the driving standards here are shocking. People don't pay attention to anything around them, drive at the same 25mph in 30 and 40 zones, there is no flow to traffic at all, just constant start stop
I've driven in Europe quite a lot and this problem just doesn't seem to exist there. You actually feel like you are getting to your destination rather than feeling like you're being held up. I just wonder what it is about this country that makes people drive like that.
This morning for example. Bin truck was down the street. He saw me getting in the car, and starting it up and as soon as I started setting off he moved and blocked me in the drive, so admittedly I was already not in the best frame of mind
Next junction a Discovery pulled out, and then proceeded to do a fluctuating speed of between 18 and 25. I tried to remain calm as he was weaving all over the road, braking for no apparent reason etc
I eventually got a safe overtaking opportunity only to be met by a Defender who was at a standstill in the road with no traffic in front of him. No idea what he was doing, looking at the scenery perhaps? He started moving off, then eventually pulled over in a layby
Then I was behind a 206, who was again doing between 20-30 in a 40 zone, braking for puddles (?), braking when a car came in the other direction
So I arrive at work feeling so wound up
I know people will say set off earlier, relax, etc
I'm not saying anyone should race around with their arse on fire, or break speed limits, but the driving standards here are shocking. People don't pay attention to anything around them, drive at the same 25mph in 30 and 40 zones, there is no flow to traffic at all, just constant start stop
I've driven in Europe quite a lot and this problem just doesn't seem to exist there. You actually feel like you are getting to your destination rather than feeling like you're being held up. I just wonder what it is about this country that makes people drive like that.
Rev your engine, flash lights, honk horn, throw redbull at them, join the rest of the masses on the road.
Seriously it sounds like you are getting into the car in the wrong frame of mind. You do need to chill , stop having expectations of how long or how a journey should take/be. Just put some calming music on and pull back. Failing that move house and change job for somewhere like the Shetland isles.
Seriously it sounds like you are getting into the car in the wrong frame of mind. You do need to chill , stop having expectations of how long or how a journey should take/be. Just put some calming music on and pull back. Failing that move house and change job for somewhere like the Shetland isles.
GingerWizard said:
Seriously it sounds like you are getting into the car in the wrong frame of mind. You do need to chill , stop having expectations of how long or how a journey should take/be. Just put some calming music on and pull back. Failing that move house and change job for somewhere like the Shetland isles.
It's easy to say that but if it happens in your commute, you *know* what the journey "should" take, so it does end up becoming frustrating when you are held up by someone who clearly is lacking in err... driving ability.I overtook a 4x4 yesterday as they were going up a hill at about 15 mph (as the road goes to 50) and I could see nothing coming the other way. I was safely back on my side of the road having completed the overtake and was some way in front of the 4x4, then his full beams came on..?! I hate road rage but I gave him the finger in the rear view mirror, then felt like I was in the wrong for the rest of the way in to work. Just need to chill in future.
These days not a lot other than muttering swear words under my breath. In my youth I admit to getting angry about it and driving too close, overtaking where you have to cut back in front in a hurry, etc. It's just not worth it. With age comes wisdom.
It seems to be happening a lot more now than it used to, maybe down to more cars on the roads? Just about every short journey I do I come across the chap who stops dead at a roundabout, then looks and realises there's nothing coming. Peopple who pull out in front then sit at 22, 23mph. The old guy who pulls away in front of me and then takes about 5 minutes to get up to 30mph, etc. It's very frustrating but if you let it escalate to road rage and poor driving, then you need to find a happy place.
Sometimes if I'm on a fun road over in the Lakes for example and there's a dawdler in front but it's not safe to pass, I'll pull over, admire the view and wait a few minutes then go again. I enjoy the drive more, they don't get intimadated and everyones a winner.
It seems to be happening a lot more now than it used to, maybe down to more cars on the roads? Just about every short journey I do I come across the chap who stops dead at a roundabout, then looks and realises there's nothing coming. Peopple who pull out in front then sit at 22, 23mph. The old guy who pulls away in front of me and then takes about 5 minutes to get up to 30mph, etc. It's very frustrating but if you let it escalate to road rage and poor driving, then you need to find a happy place.
Sometimes if I'm on a fun road over in the Lakes for example and there's a dawdler in front but it's not safe to pass, I'll pull over, admire the view and wait a few minutes then go again. I enjoy the drive more, they don't get intimadated and everyones a winner.
Part of the problem IMO is the message "slow driving = safe driving" seems to have settled into many drivers minds. Doesn't matter that their speed is inconsistent and unpredictable, that they have poor lane discipline, make poor decisions holding up traffic flow and that they make poor use of mirrors and signals......the fact that they are driving well below the speed limit makes their driving safe.....and that's all they need to know.
Hardly a day goes by these days where I don't see people driving like this - and even what should be a straight forward journey on relatively clear roads is punctuated by having to deal with such drivers.
As long as the speed kills drum is still being beaten and poor driving of the kind mentioned above goes unpunished - there is no incentive to change. You just have to accept it - getting wound up will do you no good and could lead to you making a mistake - further reinforcing the idea in these peoples minds that they are the good safe drivers - and you are the evil, speeding maniac.
Hardly a day goes by these days where I don't see people driving like this - and even what should be a straight forward journey on relatively clear roads is punctuated by having to deal with such drivers.
As long as the speed kills drum is still being beaten and poor driving of the kind mentioned above goes unpunished - there is no incentive to change. You just have to accept it - getting wound up will do you no good and could lead to you making a mistake - further reinforcing the idea in these peoples minds that they are the good safe drivers - and you are the evil, speeding maniac.
Two things:
1. How good is your overtaking? If you prepared better, and refined the technique, could you avail yourself of more opportunities? If you think that someone in a more powerful car could pull it off, then the answer is probably yes. If you don't know, then get yourself to one of the advanced driving days that people on here run, and see for yourself.
2. How good are you at managing your feelings? It's much easier said than done, but when you arrive behind a dawdler, there's lots you can do. Forgive the Zen treatment but as some examples:
1. How good is your overtaking? If you prepared better, and refined the technique, could you avail yourself of more opportunities? If you think that someone in a more powerful car could pull it off, then the answer is probably yes. If you don't know, then get yourself to one of the advanced driving days that people on here run, and see for yourself.
2. How good are you at managing your feelings? It's much easier said than done, but when you arrive behind a dawdler, there's lots you can do. Forgive the Zen treatment but as some examples:
- de-personalise it - treat it as a car, not a person
- what would your image of an ideal driver do?
- catch your emotions and back off a little - you control how much pressure you're under
Moonhawk said:
Part of the problem IMO is the message "slow driving = safe driving" seems to have settled into many drivers minds. Doesn't matter that their speed is inconsistent and unpredictable, that they have poor lane discipline, make poor decisions holding up traffic flow and that they make poor use of mirrors and signals......the fact that they are driving well below the speed limit makes their driving safe.....and that's all they need to know.
Hardly a day goes by these days where I don't see people driving like this - and even what should be a straight forward journey on relatively clear roads is punctuated by having to deal with such drivers.
As long as the speed kills drum is still being beaten and poor driving of the kind mentioned above goes unpunished - there is no incentive to change. You just have to accept it - getting wound up will do you no good and could lead to you making a mistake - further reinforcing the idea in these peoples minds that they are the good safe drivers - and you are the evil, speeding maniac.
Good post, to go against PH policy, I'd agree with all of that.Hardly a day goes by these days where I don't see people driving like this - and even what should be a straight forward journey on relatively clear roads is punctuated by having to deal with such drivers.
As long as the speed kills drum is still being beaten and poor driving of the kind mentioned above goes unpunished - there is no incentive to change. You just have to accept it - getting wound up will do you no good and could lead to you making a mistake - further reinforcing the idea in these peoples minds that they are the good safe drivers - and you are the evil, speeding maniac.
Rovinghawk said:
The more we dwell on our problems, the greater their capacity to harm us. Voltaire.
I think there's scientific evidence to back this up. If you have a bad/painful experience that you keep thinking about it becomes a stronger memory/feeling that you think more frequently about in the future. I don't know what the solution is but maybe distracting yourself by keeping busy and getting it off your chest to people who care?Anyway very slow drivers. Yes they are a nuisance and they always seem to be there when you need to get somewhere on time. I guess just setting off earlier is the only solution really. If you overtake one and the traffics heavy you never get anywhere really as there's too many of them.
Mind you, I'm sure the number of impatient idiots who follow six inches off my bumper when I'm happily driving along at 30 in a 30 limit has also shot up in the last five years; similarly the number of people who I'll be behind leaving traffic lights or junctions in 30 limits who disappear into the distance, clearly doing 50+.
jools182 said:
I know I need to chill out, but I'm getting so frustrated these days, even on short journeys
This morning for example. Bin truck was down the street. He saw me getting in the car, and starting it up and as soon as I started setting off he moved and blocked me in the drive, so admittedly I was already not in the best frame of mind
Next junction a Discovery pulled out, and then proceeded to do a fluctuating speed of between 18 and 25. I tried to remain calm as he was weaving all over the road, braking for no apparent reason etc
I eventually got a safe overtaking opportunity only to be met by a Defender who was at a standstill in the road with no traffic in front of him. No idea what he was doing, looking at the scenery perhaps? He started moving off, then eventually pulled over in a layby
Then I was behind a 206, who was again doing between 20-30 in a 40 zone, braking for puddles (?), braking when a car came in the other direction
So I arrive at work feeling so wound up
I know people will say set off earlier, relax, etc
I'm not saying anyone should race around with their arse on fire, or break speed limits, but the driving standards here are shocking. People don't pay attention to anything around them, drive at the same 25mph in 30 and 40 zones, there is no flow to traffic at all, just constant start stop
I've driven in Europe quite a lot and this problem just doesn't seem to exist there. You actually feel like you are getting to your destination rather than feeling like you're being held up. I just wonder what it is about this country that makes people drive like that.
They are frustrating, but you're the only one who suffers. Try and relax and ignore them or you're just raising your blood pressure for no reason.This morning for example. Bin truck was down the street. He saw me getting in the car, and starting it up and as soon as I started setting off he moved and blocked me in the drive, so admittedly I was already not in the best frame of mind
Next junction a Discovery pulled out, and then proceeded to do a fluctuating speed of between 18 and 25. I tried to remain calm as he was weaving all over the road, braking for no apparent reason etc
I eventually got a safe overtaking opportunity only to be met by a Defender who was at a standstill in the road with no traffic in front of him. No idea what he was doing, looking at the scenery perhaps? He started moving off, then eventually pulled over in a layby
Then I was behind a 206, who was again doing between 20-30 in a 40 zone, braking for puddles (?), braking when a car came in the other direction
So I arrive at work feeling so wound up
I know people will say set off earlier, relax, etc
I'm not saying anyone should race around with their arse on fire, or break speed limits, but the driving standards here are shocking. People don't pay attention to anything around them, drive at the same 25mph in 30 and 40 zones, there is no flow to traffic at all, just constant start stop
I've driven in Europe quite a lot and this problem just doesn't seem to exist there. You actually feel like you are getting to your destination rather than feeling like you're being held up. I just wonder what it is about this country that makes people drive like that.
jools182 said:
I've driven in Europe quite a lot
Only a guess here but I think the Uk is not a separate continent 
As for driving standards here in Germany it is every bit as bad but there is not the same aggression about it. The natives here claim that is because they are more civilised AngryPartsBloke said:
What I like to do Is drive about4cm off the bumper of the offending plonker, then drop back, then swerve between the OS and NS mirrors and then back up agains the bumper.
Oh, don't forget to flash your lights every 2 seconds
+1Oh, don't forget to flash your lights every 2 seconds
Only safe thing to do, usually calms them right down and makes them drive so much better
jools182 said:
... braking for puddles (?)...
Sometime the only difference between a puddle and a wheel shattering pothole is that afterwards your wheel is shattered.Depending on local knowledge and the fragility of the wheels on my car I may also brake for puddles.
However if you find me weaving around, braking for on-coming cars, not sticking to a stable speed in the absense of hazards or doing anything else that makes me seem inattentive and gormless you have my permission to follow me to my destination, explain calmly what I was doing wrong, then beat me to death with a tyre iron and leave my remains draped over my car as a warning to others.
ETA: I cope with slow, dawdling, indecisive drivers by either overtaking them if it's safe or following them at a safe distance and hoping they crash.
Edited by Captain Muppet on Thursday 23 January 11:15
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