Driving standards...?

[griff59]

I don't know, it's getting a bit scary out there, every time I go on a journey these days I seem to witness some sort of really serious accident. Some of these accidents are TBQH mind boggling, they leave me wondering how on earth they could have happened.
Things I've personally witnessed...a high performance Audi ploughing straight into the back of a stationary Mini Bus at what must have been well over 80mph.
Another one was a van that suddenly veered into the central reservation for no apparent reason, turned over and knocked another car off the road.
Another, I was driving in Kent recently on the M20, three BMW's (M3/M5's?) were racing and weaving violently in and out of heavy traffic. I just slowed right down thinking that there has to be an accident at some point, but luckily nothing happened.
But, what really gets me, big time, is when fellow road users shout abuse at "me" for slowing down and pulling over to offer help to victims of crashes, it really does obliterate my faith in human nature completely.

Edited by griff59 on Wednesday 12th December 11:49

[griff59]

Graveworm said:

I don't know if driving standards have fallen or if its a Baader-Meinhof phenomenon. Accidents are holding pretty steady maybe up a hair this year.
The last example you mention is the one that concerns me. In my former life I had some dealings with international emergency services. Some countries have legislation that forces people to stop and help (Pedestrians and motorists) I always used to counter that we didn't need that in the UK and I meant it. Its a cause of great shame for me that I am no longer sure its the case.

I just can't drive by an accident knowing that the occupants of cars could be helped, it could mean the difference between life and death. I think we have to draw the line though, if it's not safe to go on the carriageway or if there's a major fire, or carnage, then just leave it to the emergency services. A policeman said to me that you have to make sure you don't ad another fatality to the incident, your own!
The driver of the Audi was in shock and couldn't move, the front of the car was smoking and I just gently lifted him out and propped him up on the grass verge out of harms way in case the car burst into flames. I made sure the emergency services were on the way and I drove off. I would never stop, or do anything that I thought would put myself or others in any danger.
Normally others are there before I have had a chance to help, so I guess a lot of people have the same instinct.
I don't know about figures, but I'm only going from my experience, even my partner mentions it, she's noticed an increase not only in accidents, but blatant bad driving.
I must admit, that since I got my TVR I'm a lot more aware, generally, and my observation and concentration is higher, so maybe I'm noticing things more, but as far as serious accidents are concerned, they do seem to be a regular occurnace on recent journeys, much more than I used to experience them.

Edited by griff59 on Wednesday 12th December 13:12

[griff59]

Johnnytheboy said:

This was I was referring to above. Though I'm increasingly thinking that some drivers' drifting about is sending a "you won't get past me" message. A recent trend round me seems to be moving to the right after merging or coming off roundabouts, as if to prevent a non existent car getting past.

Also approaching roundabouts on the right and then getting to the left at the last moment, as if to prevent right turning cars getting next to you.

I find bad lane discipline on roundabouts a joke these days, it's almost a free for all scrum.
I always try and position myself so that I don't have to make last moment manoeuvres, and people can see clearly what my intentions are early on. Trouble is, if you obey the road markings for your exit, you're probably in the minority, and will end up being cut up left right and centre.
My partner has been driving for 30 years, and she still gets confused at roundabouts! I've met some people who aern't even aware of basic rules like give way to the right.
It's a good point about cars being hermetically sealed little "living rooms" these days, with all sorts of warning devices and automatic gizmos, that IMO makes some people feel overly safe and invincible.

Edited by griff59 on Wednesday 12th December 19:16

Edited by griff59 on Wednesday 12th December 19:19