driving slow : your views ?

veryoldbear

Judging from the exminer's comments on my (failed) IAM test, I was clearly expected to drive up to the prevailing speed limit and any slower was simply not acceptable. What the IAM say on their site and what examiners expect seem to be incompatible.

almillar

IanMSpencer - it's OK, I believe you, but you must also believe me that it wasn't part of my test, and the test hasn't changed. It's down to different examiners and/or groups is my only explanation.

Why do an advanced test/does it get you cheaper insurance?
Don't do it to save money so directly, you'll be disappointed. Do the test to become a better driver, and (often forgotten) apply what you've learnt after you've passed! You can't just drive around with sticker in the window. brat is spot on - part of your driving is your attitude, not just the training you have had. Stats do show that drivers who have passed some sort of advanced test are less likely to be involved in crashes. You'll also be more sympathetic to your car and save on mechanical wear and tear stuff, as well as of course fuel, not by driving slower, but smarter.

veryoldbear:

The reality seems to be " always drive at prevailing speed limit: any more and it's illegal, and any less (even 1-2 mph less) and you're not making proper "progress" (whatever that may mean) ... mutter mutter

Yes, this is right - IN THE CONTEXT of nobbysn*ts' example, where he accelerated hard out of a speed limit. He's fine slightly below the limit, as long as he lets the other driver overtake.
When you're doing your IAM test, just like the L test - you're not out to save fuel, just enjoy the view, or transport fragile goods, you're proving that you're capable of driving at an appropriate speed for the conditions. On a clear dry day on an empty motorway, that's 70mph, and you'll fail if you don't do it. Pass your test like this, then drive at whatever speed you like. You shouldn't have been entered for your test if you weren't away that this is the way you would have been judged.

veryoldbear

almillar wrote: »

IanMSpencer -

veryoldbear:

The reality seems to be " always drive at prevailing speed limit: any more and it's illegal, and any less (even 1-2 mph less) and you're not making proper "progress" (whatever that may mean) ... mutter mutter

Yes, this is right - IN THE CONTEXT of nobbysn*ts' example, where he accelerated hard out of a speed limit. He's fine slightly below the limit, as long as he lets the other driver overtake.
When you're doing your IAM test, just like the L test - you're not out to save fuel, just enjoy the view, or transport fragile goods, you're proving that you're capable of driving at an appropriate speed for the conditions. On a clear dry day on an empty motorway, that's 70mph, and you'll fail if you don't do it. Pass your test like this, then drive at whatever speed you like. You shouldn't have been entered for your test if you weren't away that this is the way you would have been judged.

Thanks, I don't think that I was aware of it. I suspect that the observer (who was actually very good) probably thought I knew, but ....

murphy306

I think it is very dangerous when you are behind a "do gooder" travelling along on a main road doing 30-40 mph when the road is a large wide main road. Almost witnessed an accident last week when someone pulled out to pass my car and the other slow car and they nearly didn't make it back in on time! I know that some people misjudge distance/speed etc but that can sometimes be fatal, in fact possibly even killing an innocent driver. And all down to the fact someone cant just drive on a little bit faster to keep the flow going!. I eventually got past it when the road was totally clear.

I understand people who want to drive slow and feel safer but I think it does cause problems when they hold up other drivers.

veryoldbear

I don't drive particularly slowly but not always right up to the speed limit. There is obviously a semantic difference between the everday language meaning of "progress" i.e. forward progression towards a destination, and "progress" in advanced driving speak which clearly has connotations of speed.

bod1467

The "advanced driving speak" definition comes from the Police Roadcraft manual, so I believe.

Stoke

Yesterday, I was stuck behind a white van doing 20mph in a NSL zone in Wales. I was driving 100 miles and if I'd waited behind this guy, it would have made a 2 hour 15 minute trip a 3 hour + trip. I overtook and that was that.

However I don't understand why he was driving so slowly. What could a van be carrying that requires such slow driving?

ska_lover

dada44 wrote: »

hi.

i like to drive slow. in that, if its a 30 road zone, i prefer 25. if its a roundabout, i prefer 15 or 20 mph. if it's a motorway of 70, i prefer 60, maybe even 55.

i have noticed that this sometimes makes drivers behind me impatient, as if i am the one driving wrong. however, when i drive i feel calm, and much safer, than if i was driving a little faster.

just wondering, is there a legal view on how slow to drive in roads ? would i be considered to be doing the right thing, legally ?

You are driving wrong

I think its infuriating and you are putting other road users in danger, by forcing them to overtake you.

Many of us need to be somewhere by a certain time, i.e on the way to work.

People who drive slow like this should not be allowed on roads during rush hour - causing congestion and tail backs, when people just need to get to work or want to get home after a hard days work

Get out of the way

ska_lover

Stoke wrote: »

Yesterday, I was stuck behind a white van doing 20mph in a NSL zone in Wales. I was driving 100 miles and if I'd waited behind this guy, it would have made a 2 hour 15 minute trip a 3 hour + trip. I overtook and that was that.

However I don't understand why he was driving so slowly. What could a van be carrying that requires such slow driving?

It was carrying a driver who was a numpty!

Buellguy

Stoke wrote: »

Yesterday, I was stuck behind a white van doing 20mph in a NSL zone in Wales. I was driving 100 miles and if I'd waited behind this guy, it would have made a 2 hour 15 minute trip a 3 hour + trip. I overtook and that was that.

However I don't understand why he was driving so slowly. What could a van be carrying that requires such slow driving?

As has already been said - a numpty - also be aware it may be a delivery van looking for somewhere to drop off so may make stupid moves without indicating/looking etc