MrLouKnee

and what about the fella whos racing to hospital to get to his wife whos about to give birth, he breaks the speed limit, jumps red lights etc gets stopped by the police.

when the police figure out whats going on do they arrest him or give him a blue light escort to hospital?

Dan W

There will always be exceptions which will probably end up in front of judge.

Breaking all the rules in the book in emergency may attract the plod.

Under such circumstances if a charge was made i would elect trial by jury so i could defend myself and my driving.

STiFreak

iTrader: (4)

Why do people think that putting there indicator on, gives them the right to change lane without looking. I've lost count of the number of times I have had to take evasive action due to people just indicating and going. What the hell do they think mirrors are for?

trails

iTrader: (41)

they don't think, thats the problem

Jamz3k

MrLouKnee, i really couldnt care what letters you have after your name. I just thought what you wrote was a complete load of unrealistic *****, if i'm being honest. I'm sorry but what you just wrote made me think you drove an Audi.

spark1

Doing a motorbike test you have to do the speed it says on the sign or you fail.This is because if you drive slower for no reason you will cause cars to overtake, which puts the rider in danger.This is called defencive riding.

twooo

iTrader: (3)

I had to drive round town (central London) the other day, seeing a few people and various things. I left my satnav on for the trip.....

RESULTS: Moving for 2hrs 24 mins
Stopped at lights etc. for 1 hour 25 mins
Distance travelled: 31 miles
Avarage speed: 12.2 mph
Top speed: 28 mph

I love living in London

Dan W

Bonkers

My brother lives in Bow. He takes public transport everywhere.

wolfie28

I've been driving for 20 years now and the standard of driving has certainly got worse. Slow drivers think they are being safe by the fact that they are driving slowly and as such can react to an incident quicker and therefore stop quicker. However in my experience most drive this slow because they are a incredibly unconfident driver and would not have the skills or the ability to control a vehicle travelling any faster should a incident happen.

Myself and the wife (she was driving) were travelling on a good 60mph A road recently behind someone travelling at 45mph. I started moaning about the state of driving to the Mrs, she started defending the driver saying they were being safe. Further along we went through a village with a 30mph limit and the fool in front carried on at 45mph . Very soon we caught up with the imbecile when back in the 60mph limit still doing 45mph. The Mrs then started ranting about the driver in front as they just proved that they were not being safe at all but simply were incompetent and showed no awareness of road speed limits.

Personally I think people see their car as there own personal space protected from others and the outside world and therefore act as if they are in their own little world oblivious to other road users. As already stated on this thread the government, anti-speed lobbies and police have given the impression that motorists doing the speed limit are pure evil and should be publically flogged for their heinous crimes against mankind. One other fact is that some of our golden generation never even took driving lessons or a driving test as there wasn't one until 1935 .

twooo

iTrader: (3)

I normally bike everywhere in town. Work takes me 20 mins by bike or an hour by bus. Drove to work the other day to pick something up. Parking meter outside - 40p per 5 mins....... I didn't stop long!

martwrxsl

When you're doing 150mph they don't always see you.

STiFreak

iTrader: (4)

LOL, if only! On a few occasions I have been driving down a normal city street at 30, to have someone stopped on the side of the road, indicate and just pull out right in front of me. The worst thing, is they then get really upset when you hoot at them ... like it's my fault for being there. It's not like the scoob is exactly stealthy, they just need to look in their mirror.
I happens so often on the motorways and dual carridgeway A-roads (at legal speeds I might add), I've lost count.

DazW

iTrader: (1)

Initially I'd like to see <no pun intended> the introduction of valid eye test cert. when you tax your car

But ideally we need to start looking at re-testing, say every 3 years ...BUT if you fail, you don't drop to provisional for x amount of time, allowing you to get a few re-tests in ...or make plans as to how you're going to commute via public transport

richs2891

Driving standards in this country have got steadily worse - its noticeable in the 16 years I've been driving. Indicating seems none existent, looking when changing lanes \ junctions seem optional. Causing someone to brake or swerve due to the person actions in front seems the norm now.
Wonder if the current range of "driving instructors" teach this ??
Continuous driver eduction \ res test would be one way as would actually having police on the road - if they only pulled the idiots with the front fog lights on I would be a little happier.
Oh and have a word with the deliberately slow drivers - my old man got pulled for this 12 years ago doing 30 mph in a 50 ! He now just lets everyone else drive for him !

Richard

scoobyc

iTrader: (2)

I have not read half this post cos this yanks my anger chain.

I too have the same problem but also other factors.

Its not just the speed its the complete lack of awareness/care for other road user. This trait seems to mainly be displayed by WOMEN, old people, and gay men i.e.not manly men, gay, holier than thou, peace loving doo gooder men. and CHRISTIANS with a bloody fish on the back arg!

Yes someone at 30 may never have crashed, but they may have caused many! They will think they are a good drivers cos they are not paying enough attention to see what havoc is being caused.

And as for the defence "where does it say you are allowed to go over 70". This is a typical statement which people believe. use COMMON SENSE! People seem to stick to the rules obliviously.

I personally drive to the road, the road conditions, and within my own limits. This may mean doing 80 in a 70 when its dry and open and familar, it also means ill do 20 in a 30 zone if i feel its necessary.

By no means am i perfect driver, but i understand people have blinds spots, dont always see and i anticipate every move by everyone, and try very hard not to put myself or others in dangerous positions. It seems some people just drive about and a totally unaware.

Sure i make mistakes we all do.

To me the driving test in this coutnry is a joke, it doesnt actually tell you how to drive.

For instance, random braking on the motorway when there is no need.

For Instance, my ex, on the motorway, when doing 70 to slow to 65 she would brake, AND PUT THE CLUTCH IN!

Arg people drive me up the wall. Just apply common sense. Im in favour of removing road signs and markings to force people to drive safely, however im scared that people are too dumb and to used to not thinking for themselves.



arg arg arg arg arg

scoobyc

iTrader: (2)

well that was a rant.

What im trying to say is:

People should be taught to drive defensivly i.e. understanding that people make mistakes, and trying not to put yourself or others in a bad situation.

The driving test should be adjusted to take ability for this and Observation, rather than just if you dont stall, or dont jump a read light, or dont speed.

Hazard Perception is one step for this, however i think its not nearly enough. A few people i know have passed their test, and there is no chance that i would have let them pass.

also Motorway driving and etiquet should be part of the test.

Dan W

The police should enforce minimum speed limits, not indicating properly and middle lane hogging.

finalzero

Totally agree with that statement, no disrespect to the younger drivers on here but the standard of driving and driving tests right now is appalling.

I have encountered slow drivers, the ones that deliberately drive slow because they thing they are saving lives (possibly), saving fuel (probably not) and surprisingly common, to wind up other drivers - yes you get people who just do these things for the sake of doing them.

I can tolerate older drivers and will always give them plenty of room and overtake if needed to keep myself safe from their very slow and erratic driving.

I am not sure what can be done to rememdy it, certainly if we had a review of the current policies that would help, like why we have so many enforcements in place, why people are being dictated to (like children) on how to drive properly.

As a result you have a system that is actually you have a system in place that chokes the average person and results in more retarded drivers hitting the road.

That was my rant and I am not even driving now

Dan W

I have long suspected that many slow drivers are trying to teach us faster drivers a lesson.

Many times the car in front appears to slow down when I creep up to them.

I try not to tailgate.

I think alot of people don't realise how short a distance you need in an Impreza to pull off a safe overtaking manouvre. I see the look of consternation on some people's faces I as go by.

A guy the other day slammed his brakes on in front of my just to annoy me. I mouthed the words 'I got better brakes' dropped a cog and went around him.

Not in any way dangerously. Why am I even adding that bit?

STiFreak

iTrader: (4)

Yes and No. If the standard of driving was sufficiently high amoungst the general population, defensive driving would be unnecessary. Unfortunately however that is not the case. I generally assume that every other driver on the road is incompetent, half blind and will do things which seem incomprehensable to anyone with common sense. I have only had one accident in 15 years of driving, but I can assure you that if I hadn't based my driving on the above assumption, that number would have been a lot higher! Sad really, because it means you can never relax at all when there are other drivers around. Just for the record, no I don't drive like a granny either.

IainMilford

iTrader: (15)

People that have never driven an impreza or a performance car will have no idea what the differences are, and think that we're all just yobs. On the other hand they're just jealous

boxsterboy

what gets me is the driver who drives at say 35-40 in a 60. you overtake them, a moment later you are happy at 60 ish, look in your mirror and they are right up your @rse with an "im going to overtake you now" face!

his-n-her-scoobs

iTrader: (5)

The Police are having trouble enforcing anything other than speeding as they continue to rely on "safety cameras" so heavily

I too have noticed a general decline in the standards of driving in this country, along with a decline in Police presence. Can't help thinking that the 2 are linked somehow. Has anyone else noticed that on the rare occasions a "marked" Police car ventures onto the streets he is surrounded by 200 yards of perfect driving. The very same people who couldn't drive to save their lives 30 seconds prior to the appearance of said copper.

JP4

iTrader: (12)

Don't start me on this....it is amazing how drivers speed up on the fast lane without leaving adequate space between them and the car in front of them....and then suddenly realize they have run out of space so end up slamming the brakes so hard that it causes a domino effect!! .....It's no wonder we have so many accidents on our motorways!

Dan W

completely agree

moff1888

The same slow drivers that seem to "find" the accelerator when you do decide to overtake them.

I drive back to camp every monday morning at 0430 and I know when the road comes out of a bend and into a straight and vice-versa. Now these drivers can crack on doing what speed they feel safe at, as frustarting as it may be but it is early so plenty of overtaking chances, its when I do overtake them they feel the need to flash me and consequently blind me for a second, genius.

Dan W

agree again. they are the ones I want to particularly get rid of.

KINGTIGER

I know wat U all mean. I am now a bus driver. Quite often I am stuck behind cars doing only 40 in a 60. They just twundle on. So this ends up ruining my timings so I'm always l8.

They seem always scared to go a bit faster. If they r they shudn't drive, coz they cause accidents. Hav it all the time in me car as well. They tend to stay at one speed and thats it. Go through 30's at 40. Its these people thats causing traffic.

It snowed the other week and evan though main roads was fine cars was doing 35mph stuck behind one in bus and would of been so easy to of overtaken her. But didn't ended up 20 mins l8. But when the passenger asks why u l8 they always seem to think its only u on the road.

Ciaran

iTrader: (16)

i followed a women on the A1 on Friday doing under 10mph was stuck behind her for about 2 minutes was bloody stupid it was pissing with rain but still

Bubba po

A crumbly conga?