Put my mind at rest
Discussion
Gonna paint a picture.same scenario from both views.
View one.
You enter a 30mph and there are a line of approx 10 parked cars on your side of the road.
At the end of this line of cars is a sharp blind right hand bend approx 200yrds after the last parked car.
There is nothing currently coming the other way so you overtake the line of cars obviously on the incorrect side of the road.
When you get half way along the line of cars, a vehicle comes at the speed limit around the bend, has enough time to stop to let you past but doesn't, and there is no where for you to pull in.
What do you do, and who is at fault?
View two.
As you go around a sharp left hand bend in a 30mph limit you notice there is a line of parked cars on the other side of the road and a car is overtaking them and blocking your path.
If you don't stop who is at fault?
View one.
You enter a 30mph and there are a line of approx 10 parked cars on your side of the road.
At the end of this line of cars is a sharp blind right hand bend approx 200yrds after the last parked car.
There is nothing currently coming the other way so you overtake the line of cars obviously on the incorrect side of the road.
When you get half way along the line of cars, a vehicle comes at the speed limit around the bend, has enough time to stop to let you past but doesn't, and there is no where for you to pull in.
What do you do, and who is at fault?
View two.
As you go around a sharp left hand bend in a 30mph limit you notice there is a line of parked cars on the other side of the road and a car is overtaking them and blocking your path.
If you don't stop who is at fault?
I wouldn't say it's a question of fault as much as one of manners.
It should be obvious to the arriving car that the first car had no other option and should just wait. For the first car, if the second car made a fuss I'd probably try and hold my ground if I'd reached more than half way (and if the other car insisted then I would be making sure my reversing was done at an extra safe speed). Either way not worth fighting over.
It should be obvious to the arriving car that the first car had no other option and should just wait. For the first car, if the second car made a fuss I'd probably try and hold my ground if I'd reached more than half way (and if the other car insisted then I would be making sure my reversing was done at an extra safe speed). Either way not worth fighting over.
It’s called sharing the (limited resource space of the) road. People often quote The Highway Code, but often forget the last bit of this sentence in its introduction.
‘It is important all road users are aware of the Highway Code and are considerate to each other’
…
To add, this is a very common occurrence going through villages with terraced house frontages up to the pavement, and drivers manage to accommodate each other without issues - a thank-you wave is always helpful, and usually returned, in these situations
‘It is important all road users are aware of the Highway Code and are considerate to each other’
…
To add, this is a very common occurrence going through villages with terraced house frontages up to the pavement, and drivers manage to accommodate each other without issues - a thank-you wave is always helpful, and usually returned, in these situations
A500leroy said:
When you get half way along the line of cars, a vehicle comes at the speed limit around the bend...
Had this exact scenario once, except the guy coming the other way did stop and heartily expressed his enthusiasm for coffee beans to me as I passsed him at the end of the line of parked cars... like there was something I could have done differently!The sort you're describing are usually pretty crap drivers who like to shout things like 'it's my right of way' or 'have you not read the Highway Code' . Naturally, they accidently skipped rule 126 when they read it 
I once had to do post collision training with a van driver who took the front wing off a parked car, 'because it was their right of way'! At one point, I had to grab the wheel to stop him doing it again!
In anticipation of one of this type appearing while you're passing the parked cars, maybe move out a little more to the right and look big! slow enough to stop if necessary of course.
I once had to do post collision training with a van driver who took the front wing off a parked car, 'because it was their right of way'! At one point, I had to grab the wheel to stop him doing it again!
In anticipation of one of this type appearing while you're passing the parked cars, maybe move out a little more to the right and look big! slow enough to stop if necessary of course.
7mike said:
The sort you're describing are usually pretty crap drivers who like to shout things like 'it's my right of way' or 'have you not read the Highway Code' . Naturally, they accidently skipped rule 126 when they read it
I once had to do post collision training with a van driver who took the front wing off a parked car, 'because it was their right of way'! At one point, I had to grab the wheel to stop him doing it again!
In anticipation of one of this type appearing while you're passing the parked cars, maybe move out a little more to the right and look big! slow enough to stop if necessary of course.
"ENCOURAGE" the outcome, is the wording I use when coaching.I once had to do post collision training with a van driver who took the front wing off a parked car, 'because it was their right of way'! At one point, I had to grab the wheel to stop him doing it again!
In anticipation of one of this type appearing while you're passing the parked cars, maybe move out a little more to the right and look big! slow enough to stop if necessary of course.
If it's not possible to see if it's clear to pass all the parked cars, then what option do you have?
You can
A: Start to pass the cars and then if someone appears coming the other way, they will have to allow you to finish passing the cars.
B: Wait until some of the parked cars move so it becomes possible to pass in the distance you can see.
Option A is really the only option, you have to start the pass and be ready to deal with whatever happens if a car appears coming the other direction.
You can
A: Start to pass the cars and then if someone appears coming the other way, they will have to allow you to finish passing the cars.
B: Wait until some of the parked cars move so it becomes possible to pass in the distance you can see.
Option A is really the only option, you have to start the pass and be ready to deal with whatever happens if a car appears coming the other direction.
PhilAsia said:
7mike said:
The sort you're describing are usually pretty crap drivers who like to shout things like 'it's my right of way' or 'have you not read the Highway Code' . Naturally, they accidently skipped rule 126 when they read it
I once had to do post collision training with a van driver who took the front wing off a parked car, 'because it was their right of way'! At one point, I had to grab the wheel to stop him doing it again!
In anticipation of one of this type appearing while you're passing the parked cars, maybe move out a little more to the right and look big! slow enough to stop if necessary of course.
"ENCOURAGE" the outcome, is the wording I use when coaching.I once had to do post collision training with a van driver who took the front wing off a parked car, 'because it was their right of way'! At one point, I had to grab the wheel to stop him doing it again!
In anticipation of one of this type appearing while you're passing the parked cars, maybe move out a little more to the right and look big! slow enough to stop if necessary of course.
PhilAsia said:
7mike said:
The sort you're describing are usually pretty crap drivers who like to shout things like 'it's my right of way' or 'have you not read the Highway Code' . Naturally, they accidently skipped rule 126 when they read it
I once had to do post collision training with a van driver who took the front wing off a parked car, 'because it was their right of way'! At one point, I had to grab the wheel to stop him doing it again!
In anticipation of one of this type appearing while you're passing the parked cars, maybe move out a little more to the right and look big! slow enough to stop if necessary of course.
"ENCOURAGE" the outcome, is the wording I use when coaching.I once had to do post collision training with a van driver who took the front wing off a parked car, 'because it was their right of way'! At one point, I had to grab the wheel to stop him doing it again!
In anticipation of one of this type appearing while you're passing the parked cars, maybe move out a little more to the right and look big! slow enough to stop if necessary of course.
This ^^^^
I find that the overtaker on the off-side of the road usually instinctively deflects to the left, closer to the parked vehicles, as soon as the oncomer comes in to view. Unfortunately, this often has the effect of encouraging the oncoming driver to think you are going to make space for them to proceed and get past, even if it’s a bit of a squeeze.
I therefore encourage my students to move in the opposite direction, to the right, if they are not there already. By using the body language of the car to let the other driver know there is no room to pass will usually cause the oncomer to stop and wait for you to come through.
Occasionally it makes no difference at all. Then we just have to wave, in a friendly manner, smile sweetly, and defuse the idiot.
johnao said:
PhilAsia said:
7mike said:
The sort you're describing are usually pretty crap drivers who like to shout things like 'it's my right of way' or 'have you not read the Highway Code' . Naturally, they accidently skipped rule 126 when they read it
I once had to do post collision training with a van driver who took the front wing off a parked car, 'because it was their right of way'! At one point, I had to grab the wheel to stop him doing it again!
In anticipation of one of this type appearing while you're passing the parked cars, maybe move out a little more to the right and look big! slow enough to stop if necessary of course.
"ENCOURAGE" the outcome, is the wording I use when coaching.I once had to do post collision training with a van driver who took the front wing off a parked car, 'because it was their right of way'! At one point, I had to grab the wheel to stop him doing it again!
In anticipation of one of this type appearing while you're passing the parked cars, maybe move out a little more to the right and look big! slow enough to stop if necessary of course.
This ^^^^
I find that the overtaker on the off-side of the road usually instinctively deflects to the left, closer to the parked vehicles, as soon as the oncomer comes in to view. Unfortunately, this often has the effect of encouraging the oncoming driver to think you are going to make space for them to proceed and get past, even if it’s a bit of a squeeze.
I therefore encourage my students to move in the opposite direction, to the right, if they are not there already. By using the body language of the car to let the other driver know there is no room to pass will usually cause the oncomer to stop and wait for you to come through.
Occasionally it makes no difference at all. Then we just have to wave, in a friendly manner, smile sweetly, and defuse the idiot.
There is a subtle difference between aggression, and controlling the other vehicle (aka - making their mind up for them)
Driver 2 often combines lack of anticipation with hate for reversing. If this is the case, it's normally quicker and easier for driver 1 to just back up, unless following vehicles arrive, in which case wait however long for driver 2 to search for and engage reverse etc.
On the other hand, reading through comments above, it's a pet peeve of mine when there is plenty enough room for two vehicles to pass each other, but driver 2 needs three feet of tarmac on the nearside, even at 15mph, and make oncoming traffic stop. It's unnecessarily inefficient in my view. If driver 1 is established and does the same thing, it's just as rude in my opinion. A cars door width? Why? I am not suggesting shaving a line of door mirrors off, but why hog the whole road if there is normally room for both vehicles to pass? Parked vehicles never open doors on their own, they need occupants who are situationally unaware, which is not common (and occupants are visible in most parked vehicles for caution or use of horn on approach).
On the other hand, reading through comments above, it's a pet peeve of mine when there is plenty enough room for two vehicles to pass each other, but driver 2 needs three feet of tarmac on the nearside, even at 15mph, and make oncoming traffic stop. It's unnecessarily inefficient in my view. If driver 1 is established and does the same thing, it's just as rude in my opinion. A cars door width? Why? I am not suggesting shaving a line of door mirrors off, but why hog the whole road if there is normally room for both vehicles to pass? Parked vehicles never open doors on their own, they need occupants who are situationally unaware, which is not common (and occupants are visible in most parked vehicles for caution or use of horn on approach).
courty said:
Driver 2 often combines lack of anticipation with hate for reversing. If this is the case, it's normally quicker and easier for driver 1 to just back up, unless following vehicles arrive, in which case wait however long for driver 2 to search for and engage reverse etc.
On the other hand, reading through comments above, it's a pet peeve of mine when there is plenty enough room for two vehicles to pass each other, but driver 2 needs three feet of tarmac on the nearside, even at 15mph, and make oncoming traffic stop. It's unnecessarily inefficient in my view. If driver 1 is established and does the same thing, it's just as rude in my opinion. A cars door width? Why? I am not suggesting shaving a line of door mirrors off, but why hog the whole road if there is normally room for both vehicles to pass? Parked vehicles never open doors on their own, they need occupants who are situationally unaware, which is not common (and occupants are visible in most parked vehicles for caution or use of horn on approach).
I can see you sardine lidding a car door... On the other hand, reading through comments above, it's a pet peeve of mine when there is plenty enough room for two vehicles to pass each other, but driver 2 needs three feet of tarmac on the nearside, even at 15mph, and make oncoming traffic stop. It's unnecessarily inefficient in my view. If driver 1 is established and does the same thing, it's just as rude in my opinion. A cars door width? Why? I am not suggesting shaving a line of door mirrors off, but why hog the whole road if there is normally room for both vehicles to pass? Parked vehicles never open doors on their own, they need occupants who are situationally unaware, which is not common (and occupants are visible in most parked vehicles for caution or use of horn on approach).
I would keep a car door width away minimum, reduce speed as the oncoming vehicle is encountered, then move in after the speed is reduced to a safe meeting speed. I would move closer earlier only if I could see in, under and around the parked vehicles, to establish if it is SAFE to do so.
PhilAsia said:
I can see you sardine lidding a car door...
I would keep a car door width away minimum, reduce speed as the oncoming vehicle is encountered, then move in after the speed is reduced to a safe meeting speed. I would move closer earlier only if I could see in, under and around the parked vehicles, to establish if it is SAFE to do so.
I agree about adjustment of speed and use of caution.I would keep a car door width away minimum, reduce speed as the oncoming vehicle is encountered, then move in after the speed is reduced to a safe meeting speed. I would move closer earlier only if I could see in, under and around the parked vehicles, to establish if it is SAFE to do so.
I have noticed over the last ten years or so that in such sections of carriageway with lines of parked vehicles with sufficient width for double track passing, the default practice has changed to considering the space as a single track. Possibly this is due to higher and wider vehicles in general. However, where there is room for two vehicles to pass with caution, say at 15mph, why have such an inefficient use of the carriageway? Once the first vehicle stops, following vehicles are condemned to forming a queue, with all the lag and pollution of the stop-start concertina. As far as dooring risks, as a cyclist I agree, and there is still room for a cyclist to give a doors width and still pass with oncoming traffic, and this is specifically addressed in the Highway Code iirc. However, as a motorist (a moving vehicle which is much more obvious to any occupant of a parked car than a bicycle), proceeding with caution, allowing, say 18inches on the nearside brings every journey benefits to all, rather than decades of stop-start traffic which panders to a rare situationally risk-unaware person suddenly and forcefully flinging a door wide open.
7mike said:
In anticipation of one of this type appearing while you're passing the parked cars, maybe move out a little more to the right and look big! slow enough to stop if necessary of course.
Bold positioning.Scenario the OP describes happens all the time in two places in our village. In both them, a side road joins from the right and people don’t check left before joining the bigger road then will drive at you. I sit there with my arms folded until they reverse. I’ve seen some close shaves with following car doing the same as they did and nearly rear-ending the car in front.
Edited by Sheepshanks on Monday 10th March 21:58
Regarding the ones that won't reverse; when driving trucks and coaches (done both over the years) and they realise they have no choice, it's amazing how many of these simply can't reverse. Not necessarily the, easy to pick on older drivers either. I've hung back while they weaved left and right and even dropped their car into ditches because they simply haven't a clue which way to turn the steering wheel. Some anecdotal evidence from a friend who is head of fleet training for one of the big supermarkets; since the driving test dropped the reversing manoeuvres in favour of silly manoeuvres like how to get out of the s
t because you were daft enough to pull up on the right, facing traffic, a lot of new drivers are pretty crap at reversing and require far more training.
t because you were daft enough to pull up on the right, facing traffic, a lot of new drivers are pretty crap at reversing and require far more training.Gassing Station | Advanced Driving | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff