driving slow : your views ?

ffacoffipawb

Gloomendoom wrote: »

OP Do you drive a red Nissan Micra?

My money is on a grey Vauxhall Corsa.

vqmismatch

I tend towards the same, 55 on the motorway, 45-55 usually on NSL single carriageway unless there is reason to go slower, 30 in 30s generally though.

DirectDebacle

Seems to me that the Op's description of his driving is describing the average standard of driving that I observe on the roads today, with the exception that he does not exceed speed limits. He accordingly drives at speeds he considers to be appropriate.

To be criticised by someone who wilfully ignores speed limits is hypocritical.

AdrianC wrote: »

I'll decide an appropriate speed based on what's happening outside the windscreen, not on a sign that almost certainly tells me a default limit decided decades ago...

topdaddy_2

DirectDebacle wrote: »

Seems to me that the Op's description of his driving is describing the average standard of driving that I observe on the roads today, with the exception that he does not exceed speed limits. He accordingly drives at speeds he considers to be appropriate.

To be criticised by someone who wilfully ignores speed limits is hypocritical.

Youve assumed that he means in excess of the limit.

Iceweasel

AdrianC wrote: »

I'll decide an appropriate speed based on what's happening outside the windscreen, not on a sign that almost certainly tells me a default limit decided decades ago...

Ah, but many people can't make decisions for themselves and need them made for them. That way they are sure that they will never make a bad decision and any problems mean that someone else must have got it wrong.

If I was to decide an appropriate speed according to the traffic, weather, etc. I might be on occasion be doing 130mph or more - which i often do where the local laws permit it.

I also remember the lady from London who couldn't find anywhere to park in a little town in County Galway - there were no yellow lines at all so she didn't know where parking was allowed. :rotfl:

arcon5

I find ops style of driving to be enormously frustrating.... but I wouldn't tail gate you - I would probably overtake when safe and appropriate to do so though and sit 60-65/70-75/30 in 30 and probably slower during school hours or where conditions are appropriate. Depends on the road though, some roads sitting at 50 is most certainly the maximum appropriate speed - usually windy, smaller roads - some even smaller.

From your post, I do NOT think you sound like a menace on the roads. I don't even think your driving is sub-standard or inappropriate.. just we clearly have different styles and preferences.

AdrianC

Iceweasel wrote: »

Ah, but many people can't make decisions for themselves and need them made for them. That way they are sure that they will never make a bad decision and any problems mean that someone else must have got it wrong.

If I was to decide an appropriate speed according to the traffic, weather, etc. I might be on occasion be doing 130mph or more - which i often do where the local laws permit it.

Indeed. If we assume that drivers can't be trusted to decide an appropriate speed for the surroundings, then we're saying that the speed limit is - must be - always safe and appropriate. I'd love to see somebody trying to do 60 past my garden wall. I really would. I think they might just about have landed by the time they went straight on at the bend - and they might get past the trees into the stream. That, of course, presupposes they'd actually got this far, which is unlikely.

I also remember the lady from London who couldn't find anywhere to park in a little town in County Galway - there were no yellow lines at all so she didn't know where parking was allowed. :rotfl:

It would be cruel of me to link to a very recent thread.

Robisere

The only time I drive slowly (apart from where the conditions/limits demand it) is when some absolute idiot is tailgating me and trying to break the speed limit. They do this to intimidate other drivers into going faster than the limit as well. I just drive slower. And even slower. Then, if there's a derestriction, I often boot it and leave them in the dust. Then let them catch up and repeat it. there are no badges on the rear which would tell them it's a 2.0 liter turbo with 140 PS, so they are quite surprised when I leave them behind.

And before anyone says that I am wrong to do this: what else can one do, to retaliate against intimidation by dangerous drivers?

pompeyrich

A bit torn here, much as slow drivers frustrate me when you analyse the extra time the journey takes it kind of makes the anger and frustration of being held up seem petty.

Part of my trip to work involves a 7 mile, NSL B road with a 20MPH section through a village. On a good day I can do this at 60/25-30 through the village in 8 mins. There is 1 guy who sticks to 40 the whole way, even through the village, brakes for every bend and oncoming vehicle and only speeds up at the 1 safe overtaking bit, grrrr.

When I get stuck behind him I get so wound up yet he only adds about 4 mins to a 27 mile total journey. When I analyse it, the anger he causes me makes no sense but it really is annoying at the time.

Broadwood

vqmismatch wrote: »

I tend towards the same, 55 on the motorway, 45-55 usually on NSL single carriageway unless there is reason to go slower, 30 in 30s generally though.

IMHO 55 is the worst possible speed on a motorway for non-HGVs.

Most HGVs are speed-limited to between 54 and 56, so either you will be passing them very very slowly or they will be doing same to you. Neither is good for safety or congestion. Remember also that coaches are limited to about 60 mph and can't use the outside lane of 3 or 4 lane motorways.