Is driving on country roads really that difficult?
Discussion
Driving back from minehead to the M5 today and I was behind a 60 plate Cayenne (not that the car choice really made much difference). The guy was by far the worst driver on country roads I have ever seen!
His top speed was 40, and every bend, no matter how tight he hit the brakes. If a car went past in the other direction, he moved towards the left and broke. Then a lorry came past on a bend and not only did he brake and move over, but the f
ker completely stopped!! This caught me out, but thankfully I, and those behind me managed to stop in time. He did this twice more in about 5 miles.
I managed to get past him when I felt it was safest to do so and just by driving normally had lost him in moments.
Fast forward ten or so minutes later and we're on the M5, and who come steaming past? Yep it's Mr Cayenne.
So did I encounter a tool, or are some people so used to driving on motorways and in towns, that anything slightly twisty causes them to loose all sense or road awareness?
His top speed was 40, and every bend, no matter how tight he hit the brakes. If a car went past in the other direction, he moved towards the left and broke. Then a lorry came past on a bend and not only did he brake and move over, but the f
ker completely stopped!! This caught me out, but thankfully I, and those behind me managed to stop in time. He did this twice more in about 5 miles.I managed to get past him when I felt it was safest to do so and just by driving normally had lost him in moments.
Fast forward ten or so minutes later and we're on the M5, and who come steaming past? Yep it's Mr Cayenne.
So did I encounter a tool, or are some people so used to driving on motorways and in towns, that anything slightly twisty causes them to loose all sense or road awareness?
Had a vaguely similar thing happen to me the other night. Tailgated all the way through a town 20/30limits, got to the outskirts, nsl wide b road for miles so let him over take. He then proceeded to slam his brakes on at every bend and meander round and never went over 40. I stopped and had a fag.
I think its an impression of safety people have. That such roads are far more dangerous and demand to be taken extremely cautiously.
It does seem to be the folk who stick to this though seem to forget any sense of safety, concern or awareness when away from these kind of roads.
I think its an impression of safety people have. That such roads are far more dangerous and demand to be taken extremely cautiously.
It does seem to be the folk who stick to this though seem to forget any sense of safety, concern or awareness when away from these kind of roads.
I have had this a few times, always with a large 4x4's rather than any other car type. One memorable time I was heading to the m6 from Yorkshire following an x5 along the b6480 when it was mildly moist and he would not do more or less than 40, even through 30 limits in villages but as soon as a corner appeared he slammed on, crawled round, and then carried on at 40.
Even my GF couldn't understand it, we had no traction issues and eventually overtook him once we hit the m6 but I still can't figure out why he drove in such an erratic fashion.
Even my GF couldn't understand it, we had no traction issues and eventually overtook him once we hit the m6 but I still can't figure out why he drove in such an erratic fashion.
In his defence it took me some time to be able to hustle a Cayenne.
It felt bigger then it was and didn't fill you with conference, and thats coming from an X5 and Disco not a car.
Actually down a twisty back road, a Td5 date Disco with working ace, would give a cayenne a good run for its money.
It felt bigger then it was and didn't fill you with conference, and thats coming from an X5 and Disco not a car.
Actually down a twisty back road, a Td5 date Disco with working ace, would give a cayenne a good run for its money.
You want mad, bloke in front of me stopped the other day 'cos he couldn't get his Astra through a gap....the 7.5 tonne flatbed truck in front of him seemed to have managed though 
We are told too often that country roads are dangerous. I know the stretch from Minehead to the M5, it's plenty big enough all the way and notoriously slow. A favourite route for advanced rider training as there's always plenty of opportunity (thanks to the tin snails) to perfect the art of overtaking
We are told too often that country roads are dangerous. I know the stretch from Minehead to the M5, it's plenty big enough all the way and notoriously slow. A favourite route for advanced rider training as there's always plenty of opportunity (thanks to the tin snails) to perfect the art of overtaking
g3org3y said:
EFA
But remember they are driving SLOW therefore they are SAFE.
This is the point too many people believe. On some roads I think people driving slower are more of a danger to other road users, they make people impatient/angry and try overtaking moves they may not ordinarily do just to get past. Shame the police never stop these people for driving too slowly.But remember they are driving SLOW therefore they are SAFE.
to be fair - could it be that you (OP) knew the roads and felt more comfortable whereas the Cayenne driver didnt?
I remember driving down some country roads a while back that I wasnt familiar with, late at night & very dark (no street lights) and also going very cautiously around corners as I didnt know what to expect, didnt have sat nav so wasnt aware of how sharp the turn was...
can't condone a person for driving at a speed they were comfortable surely?
and yes, when I did get to the motorway I did plant it, not to catch up other drivers who thought I might be racing them, but simply to get to my destination!
I remember driving down some country roads a while back that I wasnt familiar with, late at night & very dark (no street lights) and also going very cautiously around corners as I didnt know what to expect, didnt have sat nav so wasnt aware of how sharp the turn was...
can't condone a person for driving at a speed they were comfortable surely?
and yes, when I did get to the motorway I did plant it, not to catch up other drivers who thought I might be racing them, but simply to get to my destination!
11110111 said:
to be fair - could it be that you (OP) knew the roads and felt more comfortable whereas the Cayenne driver didnt?
I remember driving down some country roads a while back that I wasnt familiar with, late at night & very dark (no street lights) and also going very cautiously around corners as I didnt know what to expect, didnt have sat nav so wasnt aware of how sharp the turn was...
can't condone a person for driving at a speed they were comfortable surely?
This is a fair point, went on a tour of Europe in my Evo IX with a (PHer) mate in his Griff 500. We're both accomplished racing drivers, and although it doesn't mean anything on the road it does give you the idea that we're not a pair of tuggers, we were driving as quick as we felt comfortable and we were both in pretty quick cars. I remember driving down some country roads a while back that I wasnt familiar with, late at night & very dark (no street lights) and also going very cautiously around corners as I didnt know what to expect, didnt have sat nav so wasnt aware of how sharp the turn was...
can't condone a person for driving at a speed they were comfortable surely?
In twilight heading down a mountain pass we got overtaken by an Italian in a mk1 Fiat Punto diesel...
I was following someone last night on a country road who was driving generally 20mph below what would be considered safe IMO (can't remember car, some bland eurobox). Not only that, but also braking when they could have easily lifted off (I didn't brake at all for the 6 or so miles I followed them). They also stopped for an oncoming lorry, but given how they were driving I easily anticipated this (ok so I did actually brake here, albeit gently. Shoot me).
It's times like this I wish my MR2 had a turbo fitted, or the motorbike, but alas I just had to sit back. No rush.
Although they did surprise me once we entered the 30 limit - they actually stuck at 30!
It's times like this I wish my MR2 had a turbo fitted, or the motorbike, but alas I just had to sit back. No rush.
Although they did surprise me once we entered the 30 limit - they actually stuck at 30!
Edited by MarkRSi on Tuesday 12th June 09:47
MarkRSi said:
I was following someone last night on a country road who was driving generally 20mph below what would be considered safe IMO (can't remember car, some bland eurobox). Not only that, but also braking when they could have easily lifted off (I didn't brake at all for the 6 or so miles I followed them). They also stopped for an oncoming lorry, but given how they were driving I easily anticipated this (ok so I did actually brake here, albeit gently. Shoot me).
It's times like this I wish my MR2 had a turbo fitted, or the motorbike, but alas I just had to sit back. No rush.
Although they did surprise me once we going into the 30 limit - they actually stuck at 30!
its easier to cadance brake when following someone else mate, I am pretty sure if they were behind you, they could see your brake lights come on and do the same. This thread is pretty pointless IMHO - on one hand you guys complain if someone is going too fast on these roads (think of the kittens) on the other hand you complain if someone is too slow!It's times like this I wish my MR2 had a turbo fitted, or the motorbike, but alas I just had to sit back. No rush.
Although they did surprise me once we going into the 30 limit - they actually stuck at 30!
you share the road with other users - they can choose how to drive ffs
I used to help my Dad sell cars.
He sold from his Farm, I'd take people on test drives at 60mph on the NSL A road.
The amount who were terrified was shocking, lots came back saying I was a great driver etc.
It was simply that they were used to pootling around in cities all day and only reached 40+ on dual carriageways.
When you get to the smaller villages it's very obvious who the locals are as they all drive at 60 on tiny lanes and fling 2' of their car into the hedge should they meet another local coming the other way.
He sold from his Farm, I'd take people on test drives at 60mph on the NSL A road.
The amount who were terrified was shocking, lots came back saying I was a great driver etc.
It was simply that they were used to pootling around in cities all day and only reached 40+ on dual carriageways.
When you get to the smaller villages it's very obvious who the locals are as they all drive at 60 on tiny lanes and fling 2' of their car into the hedge should they meet another local coming the other way.
11110111 said:
its easier to cadance brake when following someone else mate...
This was a country road, not Knockhill! 
I meant they where going so slowly and braking so gently I didn't need to brake at all asides from when they stopped for the lorry.Agree with the rest of your post tho...
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