An epidemic of insanely slow drivers

[The0perator]

Yesterday someone's little yappy dog got loose so I tried to drive down a 30 to catch and pass then catch the dog as it ran down the road. However some knobber decided he must drive so slowly down the 30 that I couldn't keep up with the little yappy dog... try to help but no always some concerned citizen....

[robinessex]

Out from the supermarket at 8:30 this morning, I arrived at a double mini roundabout at the end of our high street. ( To be fair, it's a bloody nightmare to negotiate, and the 'give way to the right rule has to be binned to make progress ). The car in front negotiated the first mini roundabout successfully but failed the second, failing to indicate a left turn. Then failed to spot the large 4X4 at the next traffic lights, who had got into the wrong lane, so had stuck their left indicator on. Sure enough, as the lights went green, they cut across the car in front, who had to perform a quick min iswerve left to miss them. Further down the road, brakes were applied approaching a pedestrian crossing, not required, as there wasn't a pedestrian in sight anywhere. Then a late indicator left into a housing estate (20mph limit), same direction as me. Braked constantly for mini bends, but forgot the speed limit and drove at 25mph ( to be honest, everyone ignores it ). Didn't leave room for a cyclist at a T junction, as well as indicating right when road markings clearly showed they were on the primary route. Not good driving at all. Opps, nearly forgot. They were displaying a driving instructor board on the car roof !!!

[Heaveho]

I agree that driver aids have affected people's ability to manoeuvre in a competent fashion without complete reliance on them. The advent of tech isn't always a good thing. Sat nav is wonderful and in generally a benefit, but all this stuff is taking away our ability to simply think and plan for ourselves.

Unrelated, but another pet hate. Trying to get to work in a housing estate through the week. I caught up with another tradesman's van, dawdling along, braking, then accelerating, clearly looking for an address. I can't speak for everyone else, but my approach when I'm in this situation is to be aware of what's behind me and just pull over and let the traffic go, rather than put the driver behind me through nonsense he was causing me.

[Unreal]

Heaveho said:

I agree that driver aids have affected people's ability to manoeuvre in a competent fashion without complete reliance on them. The advent of tech isn't always a good thing. Sat nav is wonderful and in generally a benefit, but all this stuff is taking away our ability to simply think and plan for ourselves.

Unrelated, but another pet hate. Trying to get to work in a housing estate through the week. I caught up with another tradesman's van, dawdling along, braking, then accelerating, clearly looking for an address. I can't speak for everyone else, but my approach when I'm in this situation is to be aware of what's behind me and just pull over and let the traffic go, rather than put the driver behind me through nonsense he was causing me.

Exemptions apply if you are on the tools, a delivery driver or a taxi driver.

[Heaveho]

Unreal said:

Heaveho said:

I agree that driver aids have affected people's ability to manoeuvre in a competent fashion without complete reliance on them. The advent of tech isn't always a good thing. Sat nav is wonderful and in generally a benefit, but all this stuff is taking away our ability to simply think and plan for ourselves.

Unrelated, but another pet hate. Trying to get to work in a housing estate through the week. I caught up with another tradesman's van, dawdling along, braking, then accelerating, clearly looking for an address. I can't speak for everyone else, but my approach when I'm in this situation is to be aware of what's behind me and just pull over and let the traffic go, rather than put the driver behind me through nonsense he was causing me.

Exemptions apply if you are on the tools, a delivery driver or a taxi driver.

I might be due a whoosh, as not sure if serious, but I am on the tools, and I don't and won't do it. It's annoying for anyone behind who's trying to figure out what the hell you're likely to do next. Just pull over, let the traffic through, and get on with it afterwards.

[Triumph Man]

Fred Smith said:

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?

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"?

No idea on the rules, but I do tend to quickly dip and reapply main beam before a bend at night so I can see if anything is coming.

[8IKERDAVE]

robinessex said:

Out from the supermarket at 8:30 this morning, I arrived at a double mini roundabout at the end of our high street. ( To be fair, it's a bloody nightmare to negotiate, and the 'give way to the right rule has to be binned to make progress ). The car in front negotiated the first mini roundabout successfully but failed the second, failing to indicate a left turn. Then failed to spot the large 4X4 at the next traffic lights, who had got into the wrong lane, so had stuck their left indicator on. Sure enough, as the lights went green, they cut across the car in front, who had to perform a quick min iswerve left to miss them. Further down the road, brakes were applied approaching a pedestrian crossing, not required, as there wasn't a pedestrian in sight anywhere. Then a late indicator left into a housing estate (20mph limit), same direction as me. Braked constantly for mini bends, but forgot the speed limit and drove at 25mph ( to be honest, everyone ignores it ). Didn't leave room for a cyclist at a T junction, as well as indicating right when road markings clearly showed they were on the primary route. Not good driving at all. Opps, nearly forgot. They were displaying a driving instructor board on the car roof !!!

When the instructors are poor it leaves little hope for everyone else. I followed one on Friday that didn't indicate once in about 3 miles!

[ruhall]

Triumph Man said:

Fred Smith said:

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?

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"?

No idea on the rules, but I do tend to quickly dip and reapply main beam before a bend at night so I can see if anything is coming.

Re driving at the front of the queue with dipped lights; some cars (at least one of mine) won't allow the driver to select main beam when they're on 'auto'. Car knows best.

I'm not saying that's the reason as I suspect it's simply a case of many drivers being unaware of what's going on around them and having no idea what they're doing.

[Saleen836]

mac96 said:

zetec said:

Saleen836 said:

Usually the same morons who stop 4-5 ft away from a junction they want to pull out of then lean forward over the steering wheel to see if anything is approaching

I have noticed this more and more, especially when out walking. That people stop way back from a junction, why is this?

They can't judge where the front of their car is? I think that has got harder with modern cars, although it shouldn't be beyond anyone vaguely competent.

I was taught to pull up when the white line of the junction is almost level with the bottom of my side mirror, anyone else taught this way?

[M4cruiser]

robinessex said:

Out from the supermarket at 8:30 this morning, I arrived at a double mini roundabout at the end of our high street. ( To be fair, it's a bloody nightmare to negotiate, and the 'give way to the right rule has to be binned to make progress ). The car in front negotiated the first mini roundabout successfully but failed the second, failing to indicate a left turn. Then failed to spot the large 4X4 at the next traffic lights, who had got into the wrong lane, so had stuck their left indicator on. Sure enough, as the lights went green, they cut across the car in front, who had to perform a quick min iswerve left to miss them. Further down the road, brakes were applied approaching a pedestrian crossing, not required, as there wasn't a pedestrian in sight anywhere. Then a late indicator left into a housing estate (20mph limit), same direction as me. Braked constantly for mini bends, but forgot the speed limit and drove at 25mph ( to be honest, everyone ignores it ). Didn't leave room for a cyclist at a T junction, as well as indicating right when road markings clearly showed they were on the primary route. Not good driving at all. Opps, nearly forgot. They were displaying a driving instructor board on the car roof !!!

Presumably the learner was driving?

[M4cruiser]

Saleen836 said:

I was taught to pull up when the white line of the junction is almost level with the bottom of my side mirror, anyone else taught this way?

Yes, that's how I do parking in bays.

[Pica-Pica]

zetec said:

Saleen836 said:

Usually the same morons who stop 4-5 ft away from a junction they want to pull out of then lean forward over the steering wheel to see if anything is approaching

I have noticed this more and more, especially when out walking. That people stop way back from a junction, why is this?

You will notice it with me. Our junction leads to our village, and I wait to check the bus is not about to swing in. The bus needs the room, and you cannot see until the last minute.

[CoolHands]

18 in a 40. It actually dropped to 15 momentarily after this.



Behind this weirdo. Yeah, no idea either.



This is on a road that I traverse daily, and there is almost always some absolute dickwad doing 26 or 27mph

[zarjaz1991]

Pica-Pica said:

zetec said:

Saleen836 said:

Usually the same morons who stop 4-5 ft away from a junction they want to pull out of then lean forward over the steering wheel to see if anything is approaching

I have noticed this more and more, especially when out walking. That people stop way back from a junction, why is this?

You will notice it with me. Our junction leads to our village, and I wait to check the bus is not about to swing in. The bus needs the room, and you cannot see until the last minute.

That's just defensive driving, a specific decision consciously made by a skilled and competent driver.

That's different from the steering wheel operatives who do it because they have no idea of the size of their car in relation to their position at the junction. Nor do they care. Or even understand. Or even know. Or even think. All that's in their heads is what's going on in the soaps this week.

The same people who can't reverse, can't overtake, can't pass parked cars, can't use roundabouts, etc etc.

Scott

[Triumph Man]

CoolHands said:

18 in a 40. It actually dropped to 15 momentarily after this.



Behind this weirdo. Yeah, no idea either.



This is on a road that I traverse daily, and there is almost always some absolute dickwad doing 26 or 27mph

Do you think he bought a campervan badged "swift" for ironic reasons? Do these mentalists (the ones with multiple back off stickers and recording stickers) ever think the problem might be them?

[king arthur]

CoolHands said:

18 in a 40. It actually dropped to 15 momentarily after this.



Behind this weirdo. Yeah, no idea either.



This is on a road that I traverse daily, and there is almost always some absolute dickwad doing 26 or 27mph

"Please keep a safe distance".

Sure. I'll keep a safe distance in front of you given half a chance.

[Red9zero]

zetec said:

Saleen836 said:

Usually the same morons who stop 4-5 ft away from a junction they want to pull out of then lean forward over the steering wheel to see if anything is approaching

I have noticed this more and more, especially when out walking. That people stop way back from a junction, why is this?

There is a side road near us that is full of bungalows, so has residents of a certain age mainly. When I walk across the end of it on my way to the shop, there is invariably a car stopped well back from the junction, so far in fact that they cannot actually see if anything is coming down the main road. I then have to decide if they are letting me cross and run the gauntlet in front of them, or play it safe and take the long detour round the back of them. They also then pull out without being able to see if any cars are coming, often resulting in an angry beep from a car who has to brake to avoid them.

[The0perator]

king arthur said:

CoolHands said:

18 in a 40. It actually dropped to 15 momentarily after this.



Behind this weirdo. Yeah, no idea either.



This is on a road that I traverse daily, and there is almost always some absolute dickwad doing 26 or 27mph

"Please keep a safe distance".

Sure. I'll keep a safe distance in front of you given half a chance.

Main character syndrome they think they are the most import person in the world... too many people like that...

[CoolHands]

king arthur said:

"Please keep a safe distance".

Sure. I'll keep a safe distance in front of you given half a chance.

lol (and the swift joke which I hadn’t noticed!). And then get reported for overtaking as you know the nobber will have dashcam

[Lester H]

What a long thread! I agree with the recent comments about junctions, and I think it s worth repeating than many drivers who are reasonably skilled are driving more slowly because of the state of our roads and the fashion for vulnerable low profile tyres. Another reason has cropped up on here today: some poor beggar is trying to adjust his heating or adjust the radio on a screen.

Edited by Lester H on Wednesday 12th November 09:53