An epidemic of insanely slow drivers
Discussion
Heaveho said:
Anyone who still has the willpower to consider driving a skill, something to be celebrated, and want to experience the liberating sensation of freedom to pursue their interest without interference, could do a lot worse than spend a week ( or more ) on the IOM in a quick car with decent handling.
I did exactly this in July and had a wonderful 7 days reuniting myself with the speed limit free mountain road, surrounded by locals all driving quickly and well. It seems a remarkablly accident averse environment considering how those on the mainland who are intent on forcing us to believe that speed kills continue to pursue us with their drivel.
I agree, but will also add to that to include people who just enjoy driving. Regardless of the car.I did exactly this in July and had a wonderful 7 days reuniting myself with the speed limit free mountain road, surrounded by locals all driving quickly and well. It seems a remarkablly accident averse environment considering how those on the mainland who are intent on forcing us to believe that speed kills continue to pursue us with their drivel.
Edited by Heaveho on Tuesday 28th October 07:36
An increasing number of people just see driving as another mindless option of transportation, which is fine, for a lot of people it is.
But for some it is a skill and/or something to be enjoyed. Whether that is advanced car control, tearing round a racing circuit with close to perfection, or navigating an Alpine pass/IOM TT circuit/famous moorland road/etc....or just the act of enjoying being in control of a car.
My dad is in his 80s. He loves driving. He's never had a car that isn't bland (an MG Montego (non-turbo) and 2011 320d are his automotive highlights, but he loves driving, motorways, a-roads, sweeping b-roads. Never fast, never getting past 50% of the car's limits, but he loves driving.
But it's also incumbent on us not to be snobby about it. You don't need an 10/10th performance car, or a 6/8/12 cylinder engine in your car to enjoy driving, you don't actually need a piston engine to enjoy driving, and the more people there are than enjoy driving, the better the roads standard will be. We should celebrate and encourage people to enjoy the art of driving, not just the convenience. IMO.
Wardy78 said:
I agree, but will also add to that to include people who just enjoy driving. Regardless of the car.
An increasing number of people just see driving as another mindless option of transportation, which is fine, for a lot of people it is.
But for some it is a skill and/or something to be enjoyed. Whether that is advanced car control, tearing round a racing circuit with close to perfection, or navigating an Alpine pass/IOM TT circuit/famous moorland road/etc....or just the act of enjoying being in control of a car.
My dad is in his 80s. He loves driving. He's never had a car that isn't bland (an MG Montego (non-turbo) and 2011 320d are his automotive highlights, but he loves driving, motorways, a-roads, sweeping b-roads. Never fast, never getting past 50% of the car's limits, but he loves driving.
But it's also incumbent on us not to be snobby about it. You don't need an 10/10th performance car, or a 6/8/12 cylinder engine in your car to enjoy driving, you don't actually need a piston engine to enjoy driving, and the more people there are than enjoy driving, the better the roads standard will be. We should celebrate and encourage people to enjoy the art of driving, not just the convenience. IMO.
Totally agree!An increasing number of people just see driving as another mindless option of transportation, which is fine, for a lot of people it is.
But for some it is a skill and/or something to be enjoyed. Whether that is advanced car control, tearing round a racing circuit with close to perfection, or navigating an Alpine pass/IOM TT circuit/famous moorland road/etc....or just the act of enjoying being in control of a car.
My dad is in his 80s. He loves driving. He's never had a car that isn't bland (an MG Montego (non-turbo) and 2011 320d are his automotive highlights, but he loves driving, motorways, a-roads, sweeping b-roads. Never fast, never getting past 50% of the car's limits, but he loves driving.
But it's also incumbent on us not to be snobby about it. You don't need an 10/10th performance car, or a 6/8/12 cylinder engine in your car to enjoy driving, you don't actually need a piston engine to enjoy driving, and the more people there are than enjoy driving, the better the roads standard will be. We should celebrate and encourage people to enjoy the art of driving, not just the convenience. IMO.
I am sometimes mocked on here for my slight Mondeo fetish. But can and do enjoy driving them.
Through work I get access to loads of other cars, some good, some bad, and I've hired nicer things in the past, but I can and do thoroughly enjoy a good drive in the Mondeos. Heading up to the roads around Bala in North Wales in mid November for a day just driving round. I love it, I've loved it since I was a kid, it never, ever gets old. I'm now doing RoSPA Advanced Driving as well to improve my skills. It's something I'm really passionate about. You don't need a "PH" car (not that having one as well is fantastic).
Give me any car, any vehicle, I want to drive it. I can drive up to 7.5 tonne after work kindly paid for me to do the C1 years ago and I used to love driving those around (rarely get the chance now). One day I fancy driving an HGV. I don't really care what I get to drive, I always enjoy it massively.
Scott
zarjaz1991 said:
Totally agree!
I am sometimes mocked on here for my slight Mondeo fetish. But can and do enjoy driving them.
Credit to Ford they've sold very few cars in the last 25 years that weren't a decent steer, of the top of my head only that nasty little Ecosport thing springs to mind.I am sometimes mocked on here for my slight Mondeo fetish. But can and do enjoy driving them.
Even stuff like the S-Max is as good as that sort of car can reasonably be.
GeniusOfLove said:
Credit to Ford they've sold very few cars in the last 25 years that weren't a decent steer, of the top of my head only that nasty little Ecosport thing springs to mind.
Even stuff like the S-Max is as good as that sort of car can reasonably be.
Yeah. People think they're bland and I rather suppose they are by PH standards but they handle really well, they drive really well, and they actually have quite enough poke to do most things you'd be able to do on roads. They are also REALLY comfortable on long drives, which not every car is. And that's very important when you drive a lot, as I do. They also go faster than other Mondeos because they've both got a PH sticker on the back. Errr...probably.Even stuff like the S-Max is as good as that sort of car can reasonably be.
Enjoying driving isn't always about speed either (though it sometimes is).
Scott
zarjaz1991 said:
GeniusOfLove said:
Credit to Ford they've sold very few cars in the last 25 years that weren't a decent steer, of the top of my head only that nasty little Ecosport thing springs to mind.
Even stuff like the S-Max is as good as that sort of car can reasonably be.
Yeah. People think they're bland and I rather suppose they are by PH standards but they handle really well, they drive really well, and they actually have quite enough poke to do most things you'd be able to do on roads. They are also REALLY comfortable on long drives, which not every car is. And that's very important when you drive a lot, as I do. They also go faster than other Mondeos because they've both got a PH sticker on the back. Errr...probably.Even stuff like the S-Max is as good as that sort of car can reasonably be.
Enjoying driving isn't always about speed either (though it sometimes is).
Scott
I've noticed often that on unlit roads more people seem to be driving on dipped beams, despite being at the front of the queue, and there being no oncoming traffic. Which of course means they can't see far in front and drive accordingly slowly.
The additional effect is the driver behind can't see much of the road ahead, so an overtake is harder aswell.
The additional effect is the driver behind can't see much of the road ahead, so an overtake is harder aswell.
RECr said:
I've noticed often that on unlit roads more people seem to be driving on dipped beams, despite being at the front of the queue, and there being no oncoming traffic. Which of course means they can't see far in front and drive accordingly slowly.
The additional effect is the driver behind can't see much of the road ahead, so an overtake is harder aswell.
Yes I see this a lot. There are some frankly awful drivers around. I wouldn't be at all surprised if such people didn't even know that wasn't right.The additional effect is the driver behind can't see much of the road ahead, so an overtake is harder aswell.
Of course many modern cars attempt to do it automatically, this will make things both better and worse at the same time!
I am also seeing an increase in people who simply CANNOT reverse a car. This year alone I've had to step in twice to help people (both elderly I'm afraid, though it doesn't always conform to that stereotype) by getting in and completing the reverse for them. I cannot believe the mess people make of it. Most commonly, and this was one of the ones I ended up getting in and sorting out, is just repeatedly going backwards and forwards over the same patch. TURN THE WHEEL FFS! It won't turn itself. How did these people ever pass a test?
Scott
The0perator said:
zarjaz1991 said:
GeniusOfLove said:
Credit to Ford they've sold very few cars in the last 25 years that weren't a decent steer, of the top of my head only that nasty little Ecosport thing springs to mind.
Even stuff like the S-Max is as good as that sort of car can reasonably be.
Yeah. People think they're bland and I rather suppose they are by PH standards but they handle really well, they drive really well, and they actually have quite enough poke to do most things you'd be able to do on roads. They are also REALLY comfortable on long drives, which not every car is. And that's very important when you drive a lot, as I do. They also go faster than other Mondeos because they've both got a PH sticker on the back. Errr...probably.Even stuff like the S-Max is as good as that sort of car can reasonably be.
Enjoying driving isn't always about speed either (though it sometimes is).
Scott
The ST220 and the 2.5T are quite reasonably quick.
RECr said:
I've noticed often that on unlit roads more people seem to be driving on dipped beams, despite being at the front of the queue, and there being no oncoming traffic. Which of course means they can't see far in front and drive accordingly slowly.
The additional effect is the driver behind can't see much of the road ahead, so an overtake is harder aswell.
As an aside, does anyone know what the rules are on dipping and undipping on narrow and windy country roads?The additional effect is the driver behind can't see much of the road ahead, so an overtake is harder aswell.
I know the old "turn the headlights off as you approach a junction in the middle of the night, so you can drive straight though knowing there is nothing anywhere around" trick works brilliantly, but is not legal. But what about regularly and quickly dipping your headlights to see whether anything is approaching from around a blind bend? WOuld a driving instructor appreciate the work being put in to try to get an insight of what might be out of sight, or would they be saying "leave it on full beam for maximimum visibility, and dip when you need too"?
RECr said:
I've noticed often that on unlit roads more people seem to be driving on dipped beams, despite being at the front of the queue, and there being no oncoming traffic. Which of course means they can't see far in front and drive accordingly slowly.
The additional effect is the driver behind can't see much of the road ahead, so an overtake is harder aswell.
I suspect this is down to two things.The additional effect is the driver behind can't see much of the road ahead, so an overtake is harder aswell.
Automatic main beam
Dipped lights that are so much brighter nowadays.
speedking31 said:
bigothunter said:
And journalists, it would appear Jethro Bovingdon said:
... as a fresh faced 12 year old I was flown to Australia for the Vauxhall Monaro launch.
SpeedBash said:
10mph speed limit - this farce keeps on giving 
mac96 said:
bigothunter said:
Is that enforceable? I have seen various suggestions that the lowest enforcible limit is 20mph. And if not, what is the actual limit there? 30mph?This evening I was following a Seat SUV car with a driver who was evidently really struggling to negotiate a couple of 6'6 width restrictions either end of a tight-ish bridge.
They then proceeded to brake hard for every minor ripple and, inexplicably, a road on the right. The road was then unlit. They almost came to a halt for a bend, then proceeded at around 15-20mph.
I was relieved tobe able to overtake them when appropriate to do so.
...20 seconds later, I found myself following another one. A Prius this time.
Almost stopping for bends, indicating for bends in the road, coming to standstill when faced with oncoming vehicles...worst of all, cutting bends to almost clip the offside apex on two right-handers (that can take two vehicles if given space) at which they didn't slow down as much. I have experienced this happening to me when driving the opposite way.
There were no opportunities to overtake.
Oddly, both drivers behaved very similarly. The first one must have continued to g o very slowly as they did not catch me up when following the second one.
What was going on?
They then proceeded to brake hard for every minor ripple and, inexplicably, a road on the right. The road was then unlit. They almost came to a halt for a bend, then proceeded at around 15-20mph.
I was relieved tobe able to overtake them when appropriate to do so.
...20 seconds later, I found myself following another one. A Prius this time.
Almost stopping for bends, indicating for bends in the road, coming to standstill when faced with oncoming vehicles...worst of all, cutting bends to almost clip the offside apex on two right-handers (that can take two vehicles if given space) at which they didn't slow down as much. I have experienced this happening to me when driving the opposite way.
There were no opportunities to overtake.
Oddly, both drivers behaved very similarly. The first one must have continued to g o very slowly as they did not catch me up when following the second one.
What was going on?
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