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Before the flames, I do not drive an Audi, I am not smurfmat,
I have two children in the car, this is not a troll, just a thought.
I love driving, still even now when I've changed my fun super quick petrol saloon for a diesel estate.
However after spending an hour on the a roads today on the journey home I wish I still had that bit more under the bonnet.
Why don't we teach folk who don't want to overtake the bus doing 40 mph on an nsl road to leave a good size space for others to make progress safely rather than doing a "five car overtake"
At some points on the road I reckon you could see a good 1/4 mile. I can totally understand why the lads on bikes white line it the whole time!
And why when you do overtake smoothly and safely does the bloke behind flash his lights mentally as though you've just clipped his wing whilst pulling back in!
That bloke behind thought you weren't driving safely, obviously.
'Love driving'...'bit more under the bonnet'...
'two children in the car'
Think about it...
Crikey +1
It's not a race pal, safer not sooner would be my watchword(s?)
APF
Think about it...
The best advice you will get.
You are Jeremey Clarkson and I claim my £5
But I've had more under the bonnet and never killed/maimed mine or anyone else's child's face, smoothly overtaking via moving in and out in a controlled manner is not dangerous!
Tbh ive chilled alot in my driving from my youth. Its rare that getting infront will save much time. One thing will be sure , youll burn a heap more fuel overtaking.
More fun, though.
Rachel
Actually I know what you mean. I quite often overtake on my commute however recently, (I've been doing the same commute for 5 years, same route, same car) people have got very angry when they are overtaken. Now, it could be that I drive like a twonk, but I don't drive any worse than i used to, overtaking in the same places and yet somehow im now getting the abuse i never used too. Overtaking is beginning to be seen as a dangerous manoeuvre in its own right. Not sure why though..?
But I've had more under the bonnet and never killed/maimed mine or anyone else's child's face [i]yet[/i], smoothly overtaking via moving in and out in a controlled manner is, [i]in my own opinion[/i], not dangerous!
FTFY.
I'm not suggesting you are a driving menace, but chilling out, accepting that traffic is not a hindrance or an annoyance, but is simply other people trying to get to where they want to be, would seem to be a good thing.
...It's also a great opportunity to be a good role model for them there future drivers... 😉
So I'm right in thinking you'd happily sit behind a car doing 40 mph on a clear 60 mph road rather than overtake?
But I've had more under the bonnet and never killed/maimed mine or anyone else's child's face, smoothly overtaking via moving in and out in a controlled manner is not dangerous
Well I have quite a bit 'under the bonnet' but really don't see the point in trying to move up by overtaking one by or one or as you say a "five car overtake". While it can be frustrating to be stuck behind a slow moving bus or whatever why not just chill or wait until you hit a dual carriage way? I'm speaking from a regular A17 to Norwich perspective and see a lot of people like you popping in and out. It won't save you much time buddy.
...and all that 'more fun' stuff....
Please stop believing what you see in car adverts; the real world isn't like that; they do it so you'll buy their cars y'know...
People can't drive for shit. If they don't think it safe to overtake, then it's not safe for ANYONE to overtake! Hence leaving a tiny gap that they close (against the Highway Code) if you try and make use of it. Yes, much safer to try and push you into oncoming traffic, than back off and let you get on with making progress....
Overtaking is sadly becoming a forgotten skill. Blame the tuggers at BRAKE.
So I'm right in thinking you'd happily sit behind a car doing 40 mph on a clear 60 mph road rather than overtake?
Yup.
I might even be the guy doing 40mph.
60mph isn't a target, but you know that don't you?
Fair enough, you want to sit there at 40. Your choice. But leave some room for those wanting to make progress. Doesn't affect your day does it?
People being inclusive of folks who over take into spaces at are not there ?
Tbh what side of the road is safer ? Your own or the other ?
I see folk doing crazy overtakes all the time. They simply cannot be "stuck" behind the van even if its doing the speed limit
Also remember , your not stuck in traffic - you are traffic
So I'm right in thinking you'd happily sit behind a car doing 40 mph on a clear 60 mph road rather than overtake?
I probably would not be happy at the moment when it was happening, but the moment soon passes and as such doesn't really register that high on my give a **** meter in the grand scheme of things.
I might even be the guy doing 40mph.
But do you make it dangerous for people to overtake you if they want to?
So I'm right in thinking you'd happily sit behind a car doing 40 mph on a clear 60 mph road rather than overtake?
It's not ideal but instead of assuming it is your right to get somewhere quicker than the guy in front of you why not wait until you can overtake with out pushing in and obviously unnerving other drivers?
I find the overtake a very satisfying part of diving, and there is nothing unsafe about it when done properly. The light flashing, fist waving "I'm going to drive at 40mph regardless of the posted limit, road and weather conditions" brigade are a mild annoyance, yes, but having a car that very, very little on 4 wheels can keep up with means that annoyance is usually a brief one.
But leave some room for those wanting to make progress
You want to be there earlier, set off a bit sooner.
...and 'make progress'? WTF?
It's a mode of transport. That's all. Not a measure of manhood, nothing to do with your standing in society, it's just a way of getting from here to there. If you overtake me now, I'll be sat behind you at the next junction, set of lights, traffic queue, etc.
I fully sympathise with the OP.
I was stuck for 10 minutes today behind a line of cars with a tractor doing 20 mph. Numerous safe overtaking opportunities for the cars in front but they were so close together behind the tractor that a. they couldn't see the road ahead and b. there was not enough space between them to pull in safely or overtake.
In the end I resigned myself to having to wait, kept a good distance back and was happy to let the motorbikes get by.
I was far less happy with the arsehole who pulled straight out in front of me while doing 50 (straight road, 60mph limit) causing me to brake heavily, I gave him a blast of the horn as it was fairly obvious he hadn't seen either me or the bikes that were approaching rapidly behind and he gave me the finger! He must have been 90 years old but a couple of seconds later and it could have been very nasty for the bikes.
Should have reported him really, as he probably shouldn't be driving.
'but having a car that very, very little on 4 wheels can keep up with means that annoyance is usually a brief one'
Oh dear. Issues...
It makes me mad when I am driving along at a safe stopping distance from the vehicle in front and someone overtakes me pulls into the gap in front of me and forces me to brake....
...and 'make progress'? WTF?
'Making progress' is that thing that causes you to fail a driving test when you sit behind a bus at 35 mph in a 60mph limit when it's safe to overtake. It's right there on the test marking sheet:
"Progress - Undue hesitation, use of speed'
Lets just clear something up right now. You have a responsibility when being overtaken as laid down in the Highway Code:
168
Being overtaken. [b]If a driver is trying to overtake you, maintain a steady course and speed, slowing down if necessary to let the vehicle pass. [u]Never obstruct drivers who wish to pass. [/u]Speeding up or driving unpredictably while someone is overtaking you is dangerous. Drop back to maintain a two-second gap if someone overtakes and pulls into the gap in front of you.[/b]169
Do not hold up a long queue of traffic, especially if you are driving a large or slow-moving vehicle. Check your mirrors frequently, and if necessary, pull in where it is safe and let traffic pass.
Crikey, you don't appear to be part of the solution so we can only assume you're part of the problem. What's wrong with adhering to the Highway Code and letting people make progress?
You have admitted not driving an Audi, but also flagrantly using the Audi Lane... he was probably trying to warn you of your faux pas.
Dear god, not this again.....please.It makes me mad when I am driving along at a safe stopping distance from the vehicle in front and someone overtakes me pulls into the gap in front of me and forces me to brake....
See fourbangers post from the Highway Code ^^ if it's that difficult for you to understand 🙄
While it can be frustrating to be stuck behind a slow moving bus or whatever why not just chill or wait until you hit a dual carriage way?
I've driven over 150 miles today, was lucky to see double lane roads for about 50 miles of that. Well I say lucky in the loosest of terms as the single lane roads was bloody fantastic fun to drive on.
Fourbanger - the bit you quote doesnt say - leave massive gap so people can move in .....
Common sense says you would but your quote is not saying that at all.
It says dont speed up or drive unpredictably
You are in the wrong if there is not space to complete your manuver safely at time of initiation.
Personally I think we need to concentrate on more important stuff like getting slow cyclists to realise they need to get out of the way of fast ones.
People especially in the crowded south dont even try to make progress but really grips my shit is the ones that close right up to an overtaking position and then dont bother when the opportunity is there and I have also not overtaken as I was leaving a gap for this person obviously in a rush to overtake me...
Hearing my children screaming "Daddy" as our car slammed the barrier & rolled after a blow out on the motorway brought home to me the fragility of life. Likewise crawling around the same overturned car trying to unclip the belts on their car seats convinced the thing was about to blow up. Which one do I get out first...
Speed wasn't a factor in our accident, but I've developed a mental block when it comes thinking on how different the outcome might have been had I been going faster. 😕
crikey - Member
That bloke behind thought you weren't driving safely, obviously.'Love driving'...'bit more under the bonnet'...
'two children in the car'
Think about it...
POSTED 14 MINUTES AGO # REPORT-POST
alexpalacefan - Member
Crikey +1
It's not a race pal, safer not sooner would be my watchword(s?)APF
POSTED 9 MINUTES AGO # REPORT-POST
seavers - Member
Think about it...
The best advice you will get.POSTED 9 MINUTES AGO # REPORT-POST
Mantastic - Member
You are Jeremey Clarkson and I claim my £5POSTED 9 MINUTES AGO # REPORT-POST
OP, these are the people that are flashing you!
Overtaking is not illegal you know........
Good for you Drac. I have nothing against overtaking but I think the point here is the whole "making progress" safely thing. The A17 out of Norfolk does not have many passing double lane points...my point still stands. Why not wait?
Fourbanger - the bit you quote doesnt say - leave massive gap so people can move in .....Common sense says you would but your quote is not saying that at all.
But it does say:
Drop back to maintain a two-second gap if someone overtakes and pulls into the gap in front of you.
OP, these are the people that are flashing you!
get a life.
...nothing quite so easy to wind up as middle aged frustrated drivers...
It's a crowded little island, with crowded little roads.
Relax a bit, stop believing in the adverts, realise that motorsport is for entertainment, not example.
I've got a wee little car, but you can't legally get anywhere quicker than I can.
Thoroughly agree with the OP.
Drove back from Scotland the other week. single carriage way A-roads, most of the way. Queue of about 10 cars behind a van doing 35 in a 60 limit. We hit a loooong straight (a mile maybe?) with perfect visibility and zero traffic coming the other way. I sit patiently and wait for the guys at teh front to start overtaking the van in sequence.
And wait.
And wait.
And wait.
Not a single driver attempts to overtake. Even the guy in the 12 plate Jag XK-R I'd been on the ferry with who could have dispatched the entire queue in 1/2 a second flat.
We could have all got safely past in sequence and continued at a sensible pace. But no 35mph it was. So simply because I want to get home at a sensible time (and no I couldn't leave any earlier, I got the first and only ferry off Kintyre for 3 days), I ended up having to overtake 1/2 the queue then, and then deal with the rest over the next 10 miles of so, when safe to do so.
For me the purpose of making a journey is to get to the end of it. The quicker it's over, the better, then you can get on with the rest of your life. Obviously failing to get to the end because you've crashed the car or been pulled by the plod is not an efficient way to do this, so temperance and self preservation plays a large part, but really, FFS, get yer damn fingers out and get past slow moving traffic when you can!
(Also, cars have wingmirrors, so if you've not spotted the guy overtaking you and haven't allowed for the fact that he may want to pull in in front of you, then you're a divot and shouldn't be on the road.)
(...and another thing - you noticed how the people who do 40 in a 60 limit are also the ones who do 40 in a 30 limit...?)
Passive-Aggressive is obviously the safest way to travelN 🙄
You want to be there earlier, set off a bit sooner....and 'make progress'? WTF?
Deary, deary me. 🙄
Who died and made you Elvis?
What give you the right to dictate to other road-users how they should drive?
From wrightysons's description his driving is no different to mine, and I get these same sad individuals all the time, drivers who think that the NSL is 36mph, driving everywhere at an indicated 40mph, and getting all bent out of shape with anyone who actually wants to maintain a steady, and [i]economical[/i] speed of around 55-60mph.
Of [i]course[/i] there are morons who try to overtake in hopelessly inadequate situations, but that's not what wrightysons's talking about, and neither am I; I'll pop my head out slightly to see if it's clear to get past one or two vehicles in front, but if not, I'll wait until I've got a long and clear enough run to do so. My 1.9TDi is quick enough to o/t safely in normal circumstances, without behaving like an arse.
Also remember , your not stuck in traffic - you are traffic
Not if you are ahead of it.
LOL @ seavers
I didn't want to wait today as I was rather keen to get on the ski slope and had limited time. Is that a good enough reason?
If you feel its safe, it may not be the overtaking itself. Perhaps you are inadvertently tailgating beforehand, passing too close or most common, pulling in too soon. Get this a lot now, even on motorways I get cars pulling back into lane one right in front of me.
That's more than likely me doing 40, I prefer being overtaken than having some idiot sat on my bumper because I'm not doing the limit plus 10%.
Comments like "more under the bonnet" suggest you have bought into the car marketing pitch, you have bought a car not the road. Do slowing down a bit hurt that much, unless your job or something requires you being places urgently?
My 1.9TDi is quick enough to o/t safely in normal circumstances
You go girl!
These slowcoaches should get outta the way! 😆
I have never once in 15 years had anyone flash their lights at me because I overtook them. The only time I see it is when people get stupidly close to the oncoming traffic and/or having to force themselves into gaps that are not there. If this happens to you often then I suspect you're not driving as safely as you like to think you are.
There are people who take it as a challenge...but that's a different thing all together.
But part of driving properly is being aware of what's going on in front and behind. I'm assuming Mr 40 has a queue behind.
I blame the driving instructor.
A massive **** almost killed himself and the occupants of 3 other cars, including mine, on the M74 today with an almost suicidal overtaking move.
No surprise to see he was driving an Audi...
The slower driver was behind the bus so moving with the flow of traffic all ne it at 40 in 60.
Being overtaken. If a driver is trying to overtake you, maintain a steady course and speed, slowing down if necessary to let the vehicle pass. Never obstruct drivers who wish to pass. Speeding up or driving unpredictably while someone is overtaking you is dangerous. Drop back to maintain a two-second gap if someone overtakes and pulls into the gap in front of you.
Was he maintaining a steady course and speed?
Did he obstruct you?
Was he driving unpredictably?
Did you maintain a two second gap behind this driver?
OK maybe he didn't slow doown to let you get between them and the bus but getting frustrated and bitching here indicates you need a little mmore under your hat rather than under your bonnet. He was following a bus! If the bus was not there how fast would he have driven?
Would overtaking required you to exceed the legal speed limit?
So many variable and unanswered wuestions.
One thing that boils my piss is people whoo charge through queues of traffic to make up three car lengths or accelerate on motorways as they don't want yoou in front oof them! Ever done any of those? I probably did when I was younger.
Just try not driving like you are the most important person on the road, live and let live even if they were wrong dont be a prick about it.
"
I'll pop my head out slightly
Pop your head utt the car! Jesus try maintaining a proper position in the road in rder t overtake and you wouldnt need to stick your head out!
Oh dear. Issues...
Hehe. Thought someone might bite, crikey.
Exactly what "issues" have you deduced from my post?
Has no one heard of the expression "put him under!" ?
Pressure. Get close, back off, return even closer. Flash your lights, sounds your horn. Lean out of the window and point at the aggressive trail bike strapped to your roof. Eventually they'll submit and pull over to let you on your way.
hmm, with OP a bit here. We regularly travel on twisty A-roads in Scotland, that to us are a commute or a way to an appointment/after school club etc.
Regularly there are queues sat at 35-40mph in 60 zones, all bunched up and preventing us 'picking off' one or two cars at a time on the straights (that do exist, especially if you know the road and that they are coming).
People have little awareness of vehicles behind, or the fact that although they are out for a tootle looking at the view, others may need to get somewhere. Like OP, we regularly have cars object for no reason to overtakes - speeding up, flashing, we even had one pull out on us and sit in the middle of the road.
I too drive a family wagon with kids in. I too would think that I am a generally conservative driver, and regularly back down and sit in the 35-40 queue.
More frustrating still is the queue carries on at 35-40mph in the small villages here with 30 limits... 😈
I didn't want to wait today as I was rather keen to get on the ski slope and had limited time. Is that a good enough reason?
Nope
Exactly what "issues" have you deduced from my post?
I'm guessing that you are either not a real Ox, or you can't really fly.
Super fast car? Ooooh, that must help a lot from traffic lights all the way to 30 mph? 😉
(...and another thing - you noticed how the people who do 40 in a 60 limit are also the ones who do 40 in a 30 limit...?)
yes.
I can't take this kind of conflict...I'm off to watch my Take Me Out box set.
[img] 
[/img]
"The bloody speed limit was 60! But he insisted at driving at 40!"
I took my car out for the first time this year, mmmmmm half tank of petrol in about 30 mins! Most spent safely overtaking. I know I was safely overtaking because 3 of my overtakees were police.
Things I realised.... I really miss the whine of a supercharger AND the roar of hitting lift when the whine runs out 🙂
Drive safely people.
PSA Moto GP is about to start 😉
I'm with the OP. I've also been flashed for executing a perfectly safe overtake but pulling back in part way down the "queue" rather than managing the whole lot in one go, because there simply weren't any straights long enough. I'm pretty sure in such circumstances the people flash you because they think you're jumping the "queue", despite the fact they have no intention of ever overtaking the vehicle holding everybody else up.
Actually come to think of it I've also been flashed when overtaking a single vehicle on a long straight with nothing coming the other way and leaving plenty of space around the car I've overtaken. Is it really so hard to understand that some people get all upset simply because they don't like being overtaken?
Regularly there are queues sat at 35-40mph in 60 zones, all bunched up and preventing us 'picking off' one or two cars at a time on the straights
There's a problem with this 'picking off'. The overtaking queue is a queue. You might think that everyone in it is an old granny who likes driving at 30mph. But in your haste, you are pushing in front of people who are waiting their turn and giving the people in front FAIR CHANCE to overtake.
You may be prepared to charge for death or glorly aka 2 mins saved, but I'm not. I will however take a decent opportunity when it comes along, provided some arsehole hasn't barged in and helped themselves to it.
Yes, I do queue jump if the person in front has no desire to overtake, but only if I'm absoutely sure they arne't just waiting for a better opportunity. Some people seem to assume that they deserve to go ahead before everyone else, because they have a fast car I suppose, I dunno.
the people flash you because they think you're jumping the "queue", despite the fact they have no intention of ever overtaking the vehicle holding everybody else up
The people who flash you (ie me) generally DO have every intention of overtaking, when they consider it safe. So you are definitely jumping the queue.
It's no different to elbowing your way in front of people at the checkouts when they have more stuff than you do.
I am both Ox and have flown on a number of occasions, so nerr 😛
The car is a bit shit in town, but then I don't find much need for overtaking there. It's the terminally afraid out on NSL roads that generally cause the brief, mild annoyance. Why the hell should I sit behind some eejit at half the posted limit on a clear road on a sunny day when I can get past with ease and continue on my merry way? I don't do anything illegal in getting past, but the way some folk carry on you'd think I'd taken their mother out for a nice seafood dinner and then never called her again.
I've got a wee little car, but you can't legally get anywhere quicker than I can
Well.....you can if drive at 40 when it is legal & safe to drive at 60.
It must be spring. Have the usual suspects got these replies saved so they can copy/paste them in?
Quite a few on this thread would benefit from doing an Advanced Driving Course of some type.
I'm in the presence of Driving Gods, I feel so humble...
I'm also acutely aware that this middle aged Clarksonesque frustration will only ever get worse as roads become ever more crowded and the reality gap between advert and reality with regard to cars grows ever larger.
Vroom vroom!
as well as this, i regularly notice on a Mway/DC, you are driving at 65mph, you approach another car who is doing 60 or so, so, in good time you indicate right and move over into lane 2 and proceed to overtake the other car.
you continue past for a good safe distance, indicate left, and carry on with your journey.
quite regularly, about 1 minute later you will be overtaken by the same car who will then pull in front of you and slow back down to the 60 mph they were doing previously!
and they will do the same maneuver repeatedly.
seriously, i dont understand it.
ive noticed the monospeed drivers, 40 in NSL road and 40 in town.
But in your haste, you are pushing in front of people who are waiting their turn and giving the people in front FAIR CHANCE to overtake.
Indeed, hence why they are given space and time to do so by me.
Oh I don't know. I'm pretty certain that tomorrow morning the cracking b roads that take me to work will be clear again at 6:00am, brilliant way to start the day, having FUN in the car, with some nice tunes playing. All this 'buying into adverts' is quite right, pick your time and place and it's still great fun, same as it ever was. And that was never in London at 5:30!
you do know you can fail your driving test for not making progress?
40 in a 60 would probably be regarded as such,
Just saying.
Like most things there is a time and a place.
What i find most annoying is when you start to overtake and the car you are trying to overtake starts to accelerate.
Oh I don't know. I'm pretty certain that tomorrow morning the cracking b roads that take me to work will be clear again at 6:00am, brilliant way to start the day, having FUN in the car, with some nice tunes playing. All this 'buying into adverts' is quite right, pick your time and place and it's still great fun, same as it ever was.
Likewise. Some perks to commuting across dartmoor....
I've got a wee little car, but you can't legally get anywhere quicker than I can.
I'm not sure size has much to do with time.
. I will however take a decent opportunity when it comes along, provided some arsehole hasn't barged in and helped themselves to it.
How can they 'barge in'? If you're in front, you get first dibs at any opportunity. If you don't take it, it's fair enough for somebody else to.
crikey - Member
That bloke behind thought you weren't driving safely, obviously.
Doesn't mean he's right though. I've been in a car with a chap who flashes his lights, beeps, flails his arms about like the Team America secret signal whenever he gets overtaken (even if they are totally legit). He also floors it to stop people going past him on the motorway (incidentally the middle lane the entire time).
I'm in the presence of Driving Gods, I feel so humble...
You are aware, I trust, that the attitude of: " I drive at 40, I'm [i]so[/i] much safer than those idiots who try to overtake me" is just as much ego driven as that of those who think they are God's gift while speeding.
You can't drive quickly and still be safe!
That has to be a joke, crikey?
martymac
On of the reasons for this 'hopping' is cruise control. When it's set, that's your speed but many people on motorways have their right foor fixed in one throttle position so inevitably they go quicker on the downhills and slow down on the ups.