An epidemic of insanely slow drivers

[Gerradi]

8IKERDAVE said:

I must admit I lost my temper last night driving home from the gym around 7pm. A road I regularly drive which is a 30mph limit with average cameras along it and some lump in front of me in a Nissan Crapquai doing 13mph and braking everytime a car came the other way. Whoever was behind the wheel should not have been in control of any vehicle (maybe a Skaeboard at a push). I had enough of him eventually and overtook (which is something I never do in a 30 limit). Of course the main bean came on behind me .

If only he/she/them/it had focused that energy on pressing the accelerator down another couple of mm there would have been no need for the overtake. Their attention soon moved to the person who was originally behind me who also overtook them. Classic 'everyone on the road is a lunatic and I'm a safe driver' attitude.

Ah Roid Rage ...

[Mr Tidy]

king arthur said:

Unreal said:

Nearly all the people I know who have crashed their cars maintain there was diesel on the road. Surprised that's not mentioned.

Nothing in there about mechanical defects, black ice or fog, potholes, phone use, cyclists or ignoring red lights either.

Some of those headings look very broad.

Those would come under "careless/reckless" and "travelling too fast for conditions" I assume. If you skidded on black ice, you're going too fast for the conditions, it's not the ice's fault for being there.

When I was handling motor claims in the 80s another popular excuse on claim forms was a tyre blow-out. When an engineer inspected the car there would invariably be a wheel that had taken a battering from hitting a kerb!

[Pit Pony]

robinessex said:

As long as you have a fixed speed limit on motorways, you'll get the 'convoy effect', thus making it impossible for 'keep left' to work

I feel sure that the paranoia felt by drivers about getting points didn't used to exist 20 years ago.
You could pretty much drive at 80 mph with zero risk to your licence. That meant there was a differential between the lanes. 55 to 65 lane 1, 60 to 75 lane 2, 65 to 95 lane 3. If you were doing 80 in lane 3 and someone daster appeared in your mirror you moved over, because they'd be gone within seconds. If you were doing 70 in lane 2 and came upon someone doing 65, you accelerated to 80.to join lane 3 and then moved back to l and 2 and resumed at 70.
I feel sure this was safer than Now.

[swisstoni]

Pit Pony said:

robinessex said:

As long as you have a fixed speed limit on motorways, you'll get the 'convoy effect', thus making it impossible for 'keep left' to work

I feel sure that the paranoia felt by drivers about getting points didn't used to exist 20 years ago.
You could pretty much drive at 80 mph with zero risk to your licence. That meant there was a differential between the lanes. 55 to 65 lane 1, 60 to 75 lane 2, 65 to 95 lane 3. If you were doing 80 in lane 3 and someone daster appeared in your mirror you moved over, because they'd be gone within seconds. If you were doing 70 in lane 2 and came upon someone doing 65, you accelerated to 80.to join lane 3 and then moved back to l and 2 and resumed at 70.
I feel sure this was safer than Now.

I'd like to know how many people are sitting on a lot of penalty points and daren't get any more. And thus drive very warily.

A fair number will be highly law-abiding types who are appalled to have picked up the points. But they have done so because they were not observant enough of signs, and their surroundings, in the first place.

[Wardy78]

swisstoni said:

Pit Pony said:

robinessex said:

As long as you have a fixed speed limit on motorways, you'll get the 'convoy effect', thus making it impossible for 'keep left' to work

I feel sure that the paranoia felt by drivers about getting points didn't used to exist 20 years ago.
You could pretty much drive at 80 mph with zero risk to your licence. That meant there was a differential between the lanes. 55 to 65 lane 1, 60 to 75 lane 2, 65 to 95 lane 3. If you were doing 80 in lane 3 and someone daster appeared in your mirror you moved over, because they'd be gone within seconds. If you were doing 70 in lane 2 and came upon someone doing 65, you accelerated to 80.to join lane 3 and then moved back to l and 2 and resumed at 70.
I feel sure this was safer than Now.

I'd like to know how many people are sitting on a lot of penalty points and daren't get any more. And thus drive very warily.

A fair number will be highly law-abiding types who are appalled to have picked up the points. But they have done so because they were not observant enough of signs, and their surroundings, in the first place.

This. 100%.

I have, god knows how, had no points for over 25yrs, no claims for over 15 and not had an 'at faulty' claim since a company car shunt in 1997. All whilst doing 12-15,000 miles per year, 30-35,000 up until 2006.

I speed. I'm not professing to be the best driver in the world. But I do have good observation, spatial awareness and general roadcraft. I also know my Highway Code.

[CoolHands]

I spend 50% of my time looking at the current speed vs speed limit symbol in the was carplay screen. They’ll never catch me speeding, but I probably run a few pedestrians over here & there

[bobski1]

Weekend evening I went into the BMW paradox down a country road & dark in a convoy of 3 cars.

Was unusual to be flashed at by BMW driver behind me really upset that I wasn't overtaking on corners, only to be held up by a BMW driver doing 30-40 in a 50.

[Heaveho]

More an observation on the slow thinking rather than the slow driving of those covered in this subject, but I was surprised yesterday at how often, over a period of 5 hours of driving, by how many times people on the lanes inside to me failed to spot the rate at which they were catching the vehicle in front, and decided to inconvenience the vehicle about to overtake them ( me ), by pulling out in front at short notice, rather than simply accept their own poor judgement and take responsibility for it by braking and staying in their own lane. This happened more frequently yesterday than I can ever remember previously.

I have decided to adopt a proactive approach to this level of selfishness in future and close down any possibility of this occurrence before it can take place, given that those responsible inevitably end up holding me up by not accelerating to a suitable speed while in front, or pulling back in at the first opportunity. Actions must have consequences, I may never encounter those directly responsible again, but those of their ilk are now on the radar for preventative measures.

[M4cruiser]

Heaveho said:

...people on the lanes inside to me failed to spot the rate at which they were catching the vehicle in front, and decided to inconvenience the vehicle about to overtake them ( me ), by pulling out in front at short notice, ...

I have decided to adopt a proactive approach to this level of selfishness in future ....

Yes, this is a level of defensive driving. Predict the stupidity ("mistakes") of others and make sure you're not in the way.

[Pica-Pica]

M4cruiser said:

Heaveho said:

...people on the lanes inside to me failed to spot the rate at which they were catching the vehicle in front, and decided to inconvenience the vehicle about to overtake them ( me ), by pulling out in front at short notice, ...

I have decided to adopt a proactive approach to this level of selfishness in future ....

Yes, this is a level of defensive driving. Predict the stupidity ("mistakes") of others and make sure you're not in the way.

Or just predict by observing their rate of catching the vehicle in front. It ain't hard. That way you don't compound the situation, you just flow past.

[Heaveho]

Pica-Pica said:

Or just predict by observing their rate of catching the vehicle in front. It ain't hard. That way you don't compound the situation, you just flow past.

You don't flow past if you're almost on their back quarter and they still pull out. Until yesterday, my expectations were borne out by the outcome. Unfortunately, due to yesterdays actions of others, my expectations of others have had to come to terms with accepting less of them, and the consequences will now reflect that lowering of expectation.

I won't willingly be compromised by those who lack the power of forethought. It's just another lowering of the general standards of driving, and another sad acceptance that more compromises are expected of those who have to think for those unable to do so for themselves. In my case, those compromises won't be forthcoming unless inevitable.

[swisstoni]

If I see that situation shaping up I will move to a lane to my right to leave them room, or will have made sure to pass them before they even realise they need to overtake.

[fooman]

swisstoni said:

If I see that situation shaping up I will move to a lane to my right to leave them room, or will have made sure to pass them before they even realise they need to overtake.

Similarly I can spot someone who's going to change lane often before the thought has entered their head. You then see them wobble in their lane before they start the manoeuvre, then they drift across the white lines before they finally indicate. I doubt they look.

[Heaveho]

fooman said:

swisstoni said:

If I see that situation shaping up I will move to a lane to my right to leave them room, or will have made sure to pass them before they even realise they need to overtake.

Similarly I can spot someone who's going to change lane often before the thought has entered their head. You then see them wobble in their lane before they start the manoeuvre, then they drift across the white lines before they finally indicate. I doubt they look.

In the past, when I've seen this happening, there's either been enough of a gap that you can just ease off the throttle and flash them out, or there's not been enough of a gap, and I've sailed through after which they've then pulled out behind me. Yesterday seemed to be a day when several myopic halfwits had put their heads together before their journeys had started, and made a group decision to leave it as late as possible before deciding to pull out in front of stuff that was already right on top of them, without any consideration for those around them. In many circumstances, as mentioned, you can see it coming, and moving out to allow them space would be something I would do if possible, but when you're already in the outermost lane, as I was in most instances yesterday, that option wasn't available.

[king arthur]

Heaveho said:

In the past, when I've seen this happening, there's either been enough of a gap that you can just ease off the throttle and flash them out, or there's not been enough of a gap, and I've sailed through after which they've then pulled out behind me. Yesterday seemed to be a day when several myopic halfwits had put their heads together before their journeys had started, and made a group decision to leave it as late as possible before deciding to pull out in front of stuff that was already right on top of them, without any consideration for those around them. In many circumstances, as mentioned, you can see it coming, and moving out to allow them space would be something I would do if possible, but when you're already in the outermost lane, as I was in most instances yesterday, that option wasn't available.

Their thought process when they realise they're gaining on something in front probably goes along the lines:
"Oh I don't need to pull out yet, there's nothing behind me..."
After a few seconds..
"I still don't need to pull out, there's nothing behind me"
Then...
"st, there's something behind me, quick, pull out!"

[MC Bodge]

fooman said:

Similarly I can spot someone who's going to change lane often before the thought has entered their head. You then see them wobble in their lane before they start the manoeuvre, then they drift across the white lines before they finally indicate. I doubt they look.

I have long noticed this too.

Some people appear not to consider that they are approaching a slower vehicle until they are actually at the vehicle. Many times, when it not too busy, they can be anticipated and accommodated.

The random pulling out is scary and something to be wary of.

I do wonder how many drivers do not look over their shoulder, or in the mirrors at all, before pulling out.

I still remember my uncle telling me about the importance of a shoulder check before moving out when I was around 13. Riding motorbikes it is known as a "lifesaver".

I find it disconcerting to be a passenger with a driver who does not do a shoulder check, and find myself doing it for them.

Edited by MC Bodge on Wednesday 14th January 09:39

[dcb]

CoolHands said:

I spend 50% of my time looking at the current speed vs speed limit symbol in the was carplay screen. They ll never catch me speeding, but I probably run a few pedestrians over here & there

+1

All the time I am checking my speedo I am not looking outside the car
at what is going on around me, which is far more important.

You can't measure safe driving in mph.

[Heaveho]

dcb said:

You can't measure safe driving in mph.

Sadly though, that is exactly what most people use as a barometer of safety, hence the lack of attention paid to all other aspects of driving. I've long assumed the mindset of those people to be that if they aren't speeding, they're driving safely, something so visibly incorrect that you can't help but be cynical about the lack of attention the police pay to those responsible. Being targeted for driving well at 90 mph on a lightly trafficked motorway while those around you doing 70 or less are paying no attention and displaying no lane discipline, and being allowed to do so unhindered is ridiculous.

[FiF]

MC Bodge said:

fooman said:

Similarly I can spot someone who's going to change lane often before the thought has entered their head. You then see them wobble in their lane before they start the manoeuvre, then they drift across the white lines before they finally indicate. I doubt they look.

I have long noticed this too.

Some people appear not to consider that they are approaching a slower vehicle until they are actually at the vehicle. Many times, when it not too busy, they can be anticipated and accommodated.

The random pulling out is scary and something to be wary of.

I do wonder how many drivers do not look over their shoulder, or in the mirrors at all, before pulling out.

I still remember my uncle telling me about the importance of a shoulder check before moving out when I was around 13. Riding motorbikes it is known as a "lifesaver".

I find it disconcerting to be a passenger with a driver who does not do a shoulder check, and find myself doing it for them.

Edited by MC Bodge on Wednesday 14th January 09:39

And yet one can find some modern vehicles ADAS which throws a fanny fit when a driver does an over the shoulder check to ensure a safe merge / lane shift. Hyundai is/was one such.

[MC Bodge]

FiF said:

And yet one can find some modern vehicles ADAS which throws a fanny fit when a driver does an over the shoulder check to ensure a safe merge / lane shift. Hyundai is/was one such.

Somebody told me about a friend's Hyundai and its strange feature the checked where the driver was looking.

They had fitted a piece of tape over the camera, apparently.

Edited by MC Bodge on Wednesday 14th January 12:51