It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!
Subscribe to our Patreon, and get image uploads with no ads on the site!
Base theme by DesignModo & ported to Powered by Vanilla by Chris Ireland, modified by the "theFB" team.
Comments
Bandcamp
Spotify, Apple et al
Wow. I used to commute regularly to Coventry from Leicester on the M69 and used to regularly encounter the same driver doing 45 in otherwise clear conditions and reasonably light traffic travelling at the speed limit. Nothing more frightening than proceeding with the perfectly reasonable assumption that other drivers have the good sense to travel at or near the posted speed limit, only to find that the gap between you and the car in front is closing really fucking fast. I noticed that I passed her at about the same point on my route each day, so I could leave plenty of time to get out of the left lane before I had to slow down to match her or plough in to the back of her.
Now I get what Sticky and others are saying about how good driving is about anticipating possible hazards, but you have to balance the possibility of something happening against how likely it is. I don't brake when I see a cow in a field next to the road because it might run out in front of the car, or assume that every other driver on the road is pissed, high and playing Angry Birds at the wheel. You just can't function as a driver without assuming that the majority of other road users are fallible, but generally decent drivers who are as keen as you are to get where they're going alive. If you over-"anticipate" potential hazards you become the "phantom braker" that several posters have mentioned.
That's what makes slow drivers dangerous, particularly on motorways- they're not something you're likely to encounter very often, they're not immediately apparent as a hazard since it takes a few seconds to assess your relative speed and react, but the consequences of failing to react promptly could be catastrophic.
Don't talk politics and don't throw stones. Your royal highnesses.
He also refused to go at more than 20 on the 60 limit road between Fenstanton and St.Ives. Right to the point his neighbour used to makes sure he left 5 mins before him to make sure he didn't get held up in the queue behind him.
Ringleader of the Cambridge cartel, pedal champ and king of the dirt boxes (down to 21)
Bandcamp
Spotify, Apple et al
Ringleader of the Cambridge cartel, pedal champ and king of the dirt boxes (down to 21)
I only passed my test a few years ago (first attempt, 1 minor) and the focus was always very much on getting up to the speed limit. You would not pass by going significantly slower without good reason. I think they were fine with 10-15 miles under the limit on a winding country road with a national limit, but going 10-15 under on a dual carriageway would not have been accepted. you would certainly not pass by going 40 in a 30 zone. Its pretty much the way I have driven since
Just before i took my test they introduced the indepedant driving section (i.e. follow the road signs to this destination). It specifically designed to prevent the things you mention. The learner needs to focus on signs and conditions to make the right choice, rather than the traditional test which focused on following in the moment directions. My minor was from being in the wrong lane during this section of the test, even though I realised myself and got into the right lane safely, with plenty of time to spare.
With a lot more sections to it, and the increased number of vehicles on the road, I believe the test is harder than its ever been
But we all know you don't learn to drive properly until after your test finishes and you are by yourself. This is when the bad habits creep in.
Instagram
For instance (and not picking on old folks) some old folks have vision problems especially in poor light conditions. They might have spent decades driving when the roads were different and certainly vehicles were less safe or capable so are not conditioned to 'modern' driving.
Some people are arrogant behind the wheel but seemingly reasonable enough in all other situations. Likewise some become belligerent when drunk but at no other time.
The slow driver may have recently had an incident that caused them to reassess their driving style (maybe for a while anyway). it could be that just before you pulled up behind them a child/dear/cat/doc/football appeared in the road right in front of them.
The driver may be feeling 'under the weather' and is proceeding with caution.
Just because we have a very capable safety concious comfortable car doesn't mean that a) it must be used at the highest speed. b) every other vehicle or road user has the same capability. c) lack of planning on your part constitutes an issue for other road users.
That said, slow traffic can be fekkin annoying sometimes.
Yesterday I hired a 1.4l normally aspirated Vauxhall Astra. I drove too slowly all day.
Bandcamp
Spotify, Apple et al
Instagram
It was a nice car, but gutless and not great on fuel. I've just sent an insignia back that was 160bhp, not a lot but overtaking was brisk enough.
I have just bought a 1l 3 cylinder ecoboost Cmax for my wife, had a test drive and although it's only 125bhp, the engine weighs very little and it actually moves okay.
It didn't even have gums this one.....but how many do?
For me it was not an option as the cost of lessons and test had left me pretty much broke and any spare money was going towards a car. Even if you do it, there will still be that first time you are driving by yourselfwhere you really start to learn without a safety net
Instagram
It all depends on the road and conditions.
On the motorway, on the inside lane you really ought to be doing 60mph + like most lorrys. The key here though is get up to speed when joining, it is extremely dangerous joinging at 40mph, much saver to join at 60mph. The key is keep with the flow of traffic, if everyone is doing 70mph, do 70mph. You have a licence, which mean you should be capable of doing that speed, turning yourself as an obstruction is a fault in the driving test. Going too slow is dangerous and a major fail so you really ought to lose your licence.
Same goes with country lanes. You drive to the conditions. On a clear dry day, the roads are straight, even though it is a country lane. Do the national speed limit, or the limit of the road. I detest drivers who does 40mph when it is 60mph if the weather allows it. I don't think they should be driving at all. Strangely enough, these drivers will also do 40mph when going through a village with a 30mph sign. It shows they pay absolutely no attention to the road around them and drive in their own bubble at a speed they are comfortable with. These people ought to have their licences revoked because it shows they are paying no attention to the surroundings and are dangerous to others.
I have no problem with drives who does 10% under. Happy to follow them, or if they are pulling a trailer or a caravan, doing 40mph at 60mph I can understand. What I don't is when they drive a modern hatchback that is under 3 years old. clearly the car is capable of going 60mph, yet they don't.
They key to tell they are going far too slow to the condition?
When a massive articulated lorry catches up behind and the little car is the one holding it up. If a lorry can navigate the same road faster than they can safely. Then the driver at the front has no excuse, at all.