why are people still driving too fast?

tomstickland

Single flash of hazards or a right indicate followed by a left indicate has been the lorry driver's signal of thanks for years. I use it if someone pulls over to let me past or does something similar where they engaged brain and made a decision that was helpful.

I indicate when overtaking on single carriageway roads. It is definitely worth applying some psychology though and hanging back a bit until carrying out the maneouvre. There are people out there who seem to take offence at being overtaken even though they were free to go faster or overtake the vehicle in front.

King_Nothing

I tend not to indicate if I'm going to overtake on a SC, purely down to the fact as it gives the muppets in front warning that you're going to overtake them, so if they're driving a decent car and have a massive chip on their shoulder; it gives them a chance to drop a gear and floor it at the same time as me, which is very dangerous and stupid. So I just stealth overtake, as I've had the above happen way too many times in my short driving career.

But it's true, they're all sat there dawdling along, until it happens to be the time you want to overtake them to make better progress, then they want to play the big man, and road warrior, because you've emasculated them because you think they're going too slow for the road conditions.

Cash-Strapped.T32

Gotta be honest, as a biker I've been steath overtaken several times in the past (sometimes we just tootle you know ), and it always, always comes as a shock (because if it's stealth, then by definition you did not expect it - you might know full well a car is behind you, but still not expect it to pass).

I really don't like the feeling of having been stealth-anything tbh, not when on the road, because it's the sheer lack of control of the situation that throws me, not the one-upmanship or anything of being overtaken.
Hell, if someone else has the poke to catch me & pass then I'll even move over for them if they let me know (this is true).


However I don't disagree with Strider as vehemently as most of the replies so far - I can see the logic in some situations, even if I might not always like it.

I've been on the receiving end of what he's talking about more times than a few.
(I live in an area where almost every other road is a single-lane NSL from one town to another, lots of straights, lots of twisties in some places)

I've had middle-aged men doing 10mph under the limit for ages (perfect conditions, etc..) suddenly feel the need for speed as they see a bike attempt to pass.
Similarly, I have looked into the distance on a looong flat NSL, trying to work out why it appeared to have an oncoming car in both lanes - nope, still two cars.. - hmm still 2 cars, - OMG won't one of you for the sake of god slow down!? :eek:

..The above 2-car mashup I suppose being the result of someone speeding up to prevent an overtaker as he describes, or someone being overconfident in his ability to pass & refusing to "lose face" as he sees it.

(either could be the case, and I do personally know people who are just as bad as the stereotypes for being childish, macho-drivers so anything is possible with such people ).


End of the day, everyone must take responsibility for their own actions no matter what some book says; even if it does have HWC on the cover.
If you honestly believe a particular course of action to be unsafe (or safe if vice-versa), then really, not taking what you belive to be the safest course is itself the foolish & potentially most choice.
(of course this is predicated on everyone being a reasonable adult - ah, maybe one day)


Now, I read Strider's post with a few assumptions in mind;

A) That he wasn't talking about situations where the driver in front may change course (kinda need to know the road quite well for that one)
That there were no cars behind, or at least none in any position to event think about overtaking him (stealth or otherwise).

I assumed these things, because if I were him, it's what I would do & it made sense in context.
Given these qualifications to his argument, I reckon it downgrades it slightly from End of the World-Evil, to merely a bit rude & frightening..

cyclonebri1

Strider590 wrote: »

Officially, flashing of headlights is to warn others of your presence. Not to signal "omgz... dewd your exhaust is falling off!".

However it's used for just about everything these days......

I think any signal or light flash is highly likely invoke rage in drivers today.

I regularly thank people who move over on the dual carriageway (instead of hogging the lane), a simple single hazards flash does the job (because I can't do the usual left/right flash due to soft touch controls) and I think they appreciate it and are hopefully more willing to do the same in future.

However even this gesture has been taken the wrong way!




Au contraire, the school playground like behaviour simply puts people off posting.

I could have 99% of the forum behind me for all you know

You are quite wrong to be honest, a single flash of the headlights, as you boot it and begin the manouevre, is too late for antone to react to.

If you have genuine reason to overtake and the safe space to do it, you will be gone before the other driver has the chance to think "oh my gord there's someone behind me"

optimus_primera

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

You are quite wrong to be honest, a single flash of the headlights, as you boot it and begin the manouevre, is too late for antone to react to.

If you have genuine reason to overtake and the safe space to do it, you will be gone before the other driver has the chance to think "oh my gord there's someone behind me"

Gotta agree with that.

ajuk

Inactive wrote: »

Who has let all of the comedians loose.. :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

No it's true, I happen to live with a driving examiner.

paulw98

jaydeeuk1 wrote: »

I'm not bothered by my MPG. Life too short to worry about it and taking longer to get anywhere. If you're that hung up, you're probably too poor to own a car anyway, god knows what condition safety wise its in.

Couldnt agree more

mikey72

jaydeeuk1 wrote: »

I'm not bothered by my MPG. Life too short to worry about it and taking longer to get anywhere. If you're that hung up, you're probably too poor to own a car anyway, god knows what condition safety wise its in.

Quite right.
Never tailgate a slow driver.
You never know what may drop off, and bounce up and hit you because it's so poorly maintained.
They're probably so poor they're not insured either.

BugsyBrowne

jaydeeuk1 wrote: »

I'm not bothered by my MPG. Life too short to worry about it and taking longer to get anywhere. If you're that hung up, you're probably too poor to own a car anyway, god knows what condition safety wise its in.

You obviously don't drive an M5 then..

Strider590

Geordie_bear wrote: »

why are people still driving too fast?

Answer:

Because they can