Do you feel that driving is a competition?
Poll: Do you feel that driving is a competition?
Total Members Polled: 214
Discussion
Just to satisfy my curiosity, can the PH massive answer this question. As it's anonymous, please answer honestly.
By 'a competition', it could be expanded thus: When driving in general - be it a country road or multi-lane motorway, do you actively feel that you must get ahead of everyone else at all costs in order to prove your superiority? Do you feel the need to prevent others passing you, for the feeling that you may "lose", and do you feel that if someone passes you when your lane is stationary that they have somehow jumped the queue and that they are in the wrong for doing it.
If someone is trying to enter your lane, do you bunch up behind the other car to prevent them? Do you avoid all eye contact with the other driver but ensure that your car is positioned in a manner which will completely prevent them from getting in front of you?
By 'a competition', it could be expanded thus: When driving in general - be it a country road or multi-lane motorway, do you actively feel that you must get ahead of everyone else at all costs in order to prove your superiority? Do you feel the need to prevent others passing you, for the feeling that you may "lose", and do you feel that if someone passes you when your lane is stationary that they have somehow jumped the queue and that they are in the wrong for doing it.
If someone is trying to enter your lane, do you bunch up behind the other car to prevent them? Do you avoid all eye contact with the other driver but ensure that your car is positioned in a manner which will completely prevent them from getting in front of you?
As you describe, no, not ever.
The only thing I do with town driving is use good forward planning to try and gain as much time/save as much effort as I can, such as using a right-hand lane that filters back into the left again to save a few car lengths in traffic, or coasting down to traffic lights to avoid stopping and having to move off again.
I only overtake cars on single carriageways if they're going considerably slower than I was planning on doing, in which case I do it so I can carry on my business without them in my way. Not to prove I have a bigger cock than them, because then I would be a bigger cock than them..
I let people in if they want to change lanes, unless they're being aggressive or downright cheeky, and as what I think of as a nice karmic result I often get let in places I really didn't expect to.
The only thing I do with town driving is use good forward planning to try and gain as much time/save as much effort as I can, such as using a right-hand lane that filters back into the left again to save a few car lengths in traffic, or coasting down to traffic lights to avoid stopping and having to move off again.
I only overtake cars on single carriageways if they're going considerably slower than I was planning on doing, in which case I do it so I can carry on my business without them in my way. Not to prove I have a bigger cock than them, because then I would be a bigger cock than them..
I let people in if they want to change lanes, unless they're being aggressive or downright cheeky, and as what I think of as a nice karmic result I often get let in places I really didn't expect to.
Pints said:
PumpkinSteve said:
Nope. I'll happily plod along in the left lane at 55mph (on NSL B-roads) listening to the radio, I couldn't give a s
t about passing people. I used to be quite impatient but realised there is no point in getting worked up.
Ain't middle age wonderful?t about passing people. I used to be quite impatient but realised there is no point in getting worked up. 
McSam said:
As you describe, no, not ever.
The only thing I do with town driving is use good forward planning to try and gain as much time/save as much effort as I can, such as using a right-hand lane that filters back into the left again to save a few car lengths in traffic, or coasting down to traffic lights to avoid stopping and having to move off again.
I only overtake cars on single carriageways if they're going considerably slower than I was planning on doing, in which case I do it so I can carry on my business without them in my way. Not to prove I have a bigger cock than them, because then I would be a bigger cock than them..
I let people in if they want to change lanes, unless they're being aggressive or downright cheeky, and as what I think of as a nice karmic result I often get let in places I really didn't expect to.
Agree with all of that.The only thing I do with town driving is use good forward planning to try and gain as much time/save as much effort as I can, such as using a right-hand lane that filters back into the left again to save a few car lengths in traffic, or coasting down to traffic lights to avoid stopping and having to move off again.
I only overtake cars on single carriageways if they're going considerably slower than I was planning on doing, in which case I do it so I can carry on my business without them in my way. Not to prove I have a bigger cock than them, because then I would be a bigger cock than them..
I let people in if they want to change lanes, unless they're being aggressive or downright cheeky, and as what I think of as a nice karmic result I often get let in places I really didn't expect to.
Well I'm going to be honest and say yes sometimes I do feel like that. I know it makes me a terrible insecure worthless git with undersized breeding equipment. I'm sure no one will be surprised to hear that the nicer the car is that I'm driving the less often I feel that way. Yes, diesel rep mobile syndrome.
The important thing is that I don't act on those feelings, I make progress when appropriate, my overtakes are never risky or aggressive, I'm courteous to other road users, but that's largely because I'm always aware that if I don't pay attention to those areas I could easily end up driving like a total knob jockey.
What can I say, I'm a bad person.
The important thing is that I don't act on those feelings, I make progress when appropriate, my overtakes are never risky or aggressive, I'm courteous to other road users, but that's largely because I'm always aware that if I don't pay attention to those areas I could easily end up driving like a total knob jockey.
What can I say, I'm a bad person.
silvagod said:
Pints said:
PumpkinSteve said:
Nope. I'll happily plod along in the left lane at 55mph (on NSL B-roads) listening to the radio, I couldn't give a st about passing people. I used to be quite impatient but realised there is no point in getting worked up.
Ain't middle age wonderful?t about passing people. I used to be quite impatient but realised there is no point in getting worked up. 
I would have ticked yes before reading the op. You could say I make it a bit of a competition for myself to have my driving as smooth and fuel efficient (-in the anticipation-way) as possible. Maybe turning sloppy drivers in ones I find myself superior to. But wanting to get ahead and to be first? No. Simply because I can't mate that with good driving. Which in turn doesn't mean I'm a slow driver
As per the OP, no, absolutely not in any way.
I do like to be ahead of the queue because I'm an impatient bugger and I like to travel at my speed, but I also thoroughly enjoy meeting someone else who wants to travel at a similar speed and I'm more than happy to let him overtake and I might then e happy to follow. I also enjoy watching a car driven well.
I once had an enormous debate with a pal at the Nurburgring over his assertion that everyone out there was competing with each other. I can understand why he thinks that way, but i still resolutely stand by my point that whatever we think we're doing, there is no competition taking place.
I do like to be ahead of the queue because I'm an impatient bugger and I like to travel at my speed, but I also thoroughly enjoy meeting someone else who wants to travel at a similar speed and I'm more than happy to let him overtake and I might then e happy to follow. I also enjoy watching a car driven well.
I once had an enormous debate with a pal at the Nurburgring over his assertion that everyone out there was competing with each other. I can understand why he thinks that way, but i still resolutely stand by my point that whatever we think we're doing, there is no competition taking place.
Think petrolheads get grumpy at going slow as they want to get the benefit of enjoying their car not really showing superiority, a lot of the general population get grumpy at being held up and drive like twonks as they feel they must get everywhere flat out and will react badly to anyone who gets in the way, they then get to work and sit and gab about football or stare out of the window waiting for hometime, they then get back in their cars and get angry and will try to save a few seconds at any cost to get home and sit monged out in front of the telly. I know a guy who doesnt work and has endless days of spare time but gets really arsey if held up, doesnt make sense, he gets home and is bored.
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