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idiot motorway overtakers who cut in with just 2 car lengths gap

londonTiger
londonTiger Posts: 4,903 Forumite
So annoyed at the number of drivers who think it's OK to overtake at 80mph and leave a tiny gap.

Worse still on quiet midday traffic where they have 100 meters of empty space in front and feel the urgency to cut in so dangerously.

I use cruise control and it annoys the hell out of me when drivers cut in line that. It's a panic to find the brake pedal to slow down as I ususally have the foot off the brakes when I'm driving in cruise control.

An idiot had his exit 0.4 miles (ish). Decided to overtake on the overtaking lane, and then cut me up with just 2-3 car lengths and then do the same to a slow moving lorry in lane 1 and make his exit.
«13456719

Comments

  • forgotmyname
    forgotmyname Posts: 32,958 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Probably inexperienced drivers. Decent ones will have left you 18 inches gap or less.
    Censorship Reigns Supreme in Troll City...

  • GabbaGabbaHey
    GabbaGabbaHey Posts: 1,110 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    It's a panic to find the brake pedal to slow down as I ususally have the foot off the brakes when I'm driving in cruise control.
    Just because you're using Cruise Control it doesn't absolve you from driving the car and from anticipating what other traffic might do.

    As this seems to have happened to you more than once, you should by now be aware that when somebody overtakes you there is a possibility that they might cut in, and so you should really be covering your brake pedal at that point.

    If you do really have to "panic to find the brake pedal", I'd respectfully suggest that you stop using the Cruise Control on your car.
    Philip
  • Swampy3k
    Swampy3k Posts: 187 Forumite
    Eighth Anniversary Combo Breaker
    This happens to people daily, closest I've had is someone tried to shave the fuzz off my chin with their car rear bumper... and I was on the motorbike cruising aswell :(
  • LondonGal
    LondonGal Posts: 152 Forumite
    I accept the point of needing to panic to find the brake pedal, but equally the OP has a very valid point. We all make mistakes and have driven badly at some point in our driving lives, but I know when I was younger I would take risks which I'd curse at now if I saw it.

    There's plenty of bad driving, and the best way to combat it is by being as good a driver as you can be.
    If you want proper advice, please consult a legal professional. I am not one! Thanks.
  • Blue264
    Blue264 Posts: 1,570 Forumite
    It sounds like you have the same commute to work as me :)
    Only this morning, I saw a BMW indicating to take exit 14 of the M25 but had a van tight up his tail so delayed the lane change right up until the chevrons. The van actually sped up, forcing the Beemer to move sideways into the exit lane. This ended with the car and van bumpers getting hooked together momentarily, and the Beemer sped up to free itself just in time, but I could see the offside rear wheel drop hard as it hit the tarmac.

    I find that the regular commuters get in right lane for them and stay in lane, and the randoms flit between lanes like a wasp trying to get out or a window. I've seen more wrecks in the last 4mths than in the last 10yrs.
  • Inch_High_2
    Inch_High_2 Posts: 223 Forumite
    Why do you need to brake?

    If they've overtaken you the must be going quicker.

    Doesn't a touch on the clutch turn off your cruise?
  • mgdavid
    mgdavid Posts: 6,710 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Inch_High wrote: »
    Why do you need to brake?
    If they've overtaken you they must be going quicker.

    Doesn't a touch on the clutch turn off your cruise?

    ^ this - absolutely.
    The questions that get the best answers are the questions that give most detail....
  • marlot
    marlot Posts: 4,976 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Inch_High wrote: »
    Why do you need to brake?

    If they've overtaken you the must be going quicker.

    Doesn't a touch on the clutch turn off your cruise?

    Or even a touch on the steering wheel control
  • arcon5
    arcon5 Posts: 14,099 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Seems like a typical day on a m'way to me. No story here.

    2-3 car lengths certainly is too close, but I wouldn't class it as dangerous or cutting you up.
  • martinthebandit
    martinthebandit Posts: 4,422 Forumite
    Eighth Anniversary 1,000 Posts
    Just because you're using Cruise Control it doesn't absolve you from driving the car and from anticipating what other traffic might do.

    As this seems to have happened to you more than once, you should by now be aware that when somebody overtakes you there is a possibility that they might cut in, and so you should really be covering your brake pedal at that point.

    If you do really have to "panic to find the brake pedal", I'd respectfully suggest that you stop using the Cruise Control on your car.

    ......is the right answer
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