Wet Weather Driving
Discussion
Suffered a Trans-Pennine trip yesterday, weather was poor, not drastic, but persistent drizzle, high wind and a wet road added to a very busy M62 made for tricky conditions.
What made it bad though was the standard to driving. Despite 1001 matrix boards flashing 'Dangerous Road Conditions' and 'Heavy Spray - Slow Down' the amount of cars driving with either no lights, side lights only or equally as bad, rear fog lights blazing would have been comical if it hadn't been the cause of so many near shunts.
But even worse was the driving habits/abilities of some of the drivers - one person in a new Ka who sat in the middle lane, pulled out into Lane 3 whenever she was about to pass a truck in Lane 1 - irrespective of whether there was anyone in Lane 3 or not.
Another was an obviously immortal driver unhappy with being restricted the the 65-70mph that the outside lane was averaging, felt it worth zig-zagging across all three lanes in order to make a couple of car lengths.
As we've removed the need to employ common-sense behind the wheel, perhaps auto-lights should be made compulsory (or at least none-use made an offence). Made me glad to be in a slightly elevated 2-tonne behemoth.
There was one police officer visable though....visable through the sight of his speed-gun sat in his 5-series hidden behind a police-mound.
What made it bad though was the standard to driving. Despite 1001 matrix boards flashing 'Dangerous Road Conditions' and 'Heavy Spray - Slow Down' the amount of cars driving with either no lights, side lights only or equally as bad, rear fog lights blazing would have been comical if it hadn't been the cause of so many near shunts.
But even worse was the driving habits/abilities of some of the drivers - one person in a new Ka who sat in the middle lane, pulled out into Lane 3 whenever she was about to pass a truck in Lane 1 - irrespective of whether there was anyone in Lane 3 or not.
Another was an obviously immortal driver unhappy with being restricted the the 65-70mph that the outside lane was averaging, felt it worth zig-zagging across all three lanes in order to make a couple of car lengths.
As we've removed the need to employ common-sense behind the wheel, perhaps auto-lights should be made compulsory (or at least none-use made an offence). Made me glad to be in a slightly elevated 2-tonne behemoth.
There was one police officer visable though....visable through the sight of his speed-gun sat in his 5-series hidden behind a police-mound.
Tyson1980 said:
I was on my way back to Birmingham after watching Peter Kay on Saturday in Manchester.
On the way back. The rain was terrible and people were hammering it at around 90+mph. Swerving lanes, braking late, spray everywhere...
Pretty scary stuff
Too many drivers just appear to assume that with ABS/TCS/DSC/ETC they are totally safe. That and/or the ignorantly preached mantra that as long as you don't speed, God will look after you.On the way back. The rain was terrible and people were hammering it at around 90+mph. Swerving lanes, braking late, spray everywhere...
Pretty scary stuff
I love driving in the rain, great for feeling a car work underneath you, feeling for grip & making your smooth inputs much more important.( obviously on empty roads!)
That aside, as usual, 99.9% of the driving population drive with their brain stuck firmly in neutral, no lights in crap conditions, or some idiot with their rear fog blazing in the rain, dazzling everyone behind them!
Regarding the KA, if the outside lane Is clear, I absolutly use it to pass HGV's etc, why would you not choose to pass with far less spray, better viz, no side winds from the bow wave/ pressure drop as you overtake? Good driving IMHO, minimising the risk.
The biggest problem is assholes driving 2" from each others bumpers, and aggressive driving. People are so protective about their "place" in a rolling 70mph traffic queue it is ridiculous...
That aside, as usual, 99.9% of the driving population drive with their brain stuck firmly in neutral, no lights in crap conditions, or some idiot with their rear fog blazing in the rain, dazzling everyone behind them!
Regarding the KA, if the outside lane Is clear, I absolutly use it to pass HGV's etc, why would you not choose to pass with far less spray, better viz, no side winds from the bow wave/ pressure drop as you overtake? Good driving IMHO, minimising the risk.
The biggest problem is assholes driving 2" from each others bumpers, and aggressive driving. People are so protective about their "place" in a rolling 70mph traffic queue it is ridiculous...
RWD cossie wil said:
Regarding the KA, if the outside lane Is clear, I absolutly use it to pass HGV's etc, why would you not choose to pass with far less spray, better viz, no side winds from the bow wave/ pressure drop as you overtake? Good driving IMHO, minimising the risk.
Whilst I generally agree, I think this bit was the point...Ramses said:
irrespective of whether there was anyone in Lane 3 or not.
Ramses said:
Too many drivers just appear to assume that with ABS/TCS/DSC/ETC they are totally safe. That and/or the ignorantly preached mantra that as long as you don't speed, God will look after you.
A lot of BMW drivers caning it.In my Z4M i would have kept it probably around 50mph as the roads were flooded and it was pelting it down.
Looking at 5-series BMW roar past was very surprising. I was awed at either their driving ability or sheer stupidity!
Tyson1980 said:
A lot of BMW drivers caning it.
In my Z4M i would have kept it probably around 50mph as the roads were flooded and it was pelting it down.
Looking at 5-series BMW roar past was very surprising. I was awed at either their driving ability or sheer stupidity!
It was actually sIn my Z4M i would have kept it probably around 50mph as the roads were flooded and it was pelting it down.
Looking at 5-series BMW roar past was very surprising. I was awed at either their driving ability or sheer stupidity!
tty little tinny hatch-backs that were the worst. The sort that IF they did have a shunt, would just fold. Darwin may well take effect before long.
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