Safe Speed Forums

Ah, your mistake is having a Porsche. Everyone knows that Porsche drivers are arrogant knowalls who have no regard for other road users.

I have an Aston...

And every one knows Aston drivers are... ????

And every one knows Aston drivers are... ????

I get "road rage" in the form of light flashing, even when driving a modest estate car, when overtaking plodders doing 40MPH in NSL's round our way...people are just stupid and assume anyone doing a faster speed than them is a loony.


Don't forget the BRAKE rules of the road;

(a) Speed (anything faster than 20MPH) Kills
(b) Overtaking is the devils work.
(c) Lack of indicators, lights in poor visibility, bad road positioning, wandering around the road, not looking when pulling onto roundabouts or out of junctions and any other dangerous or bad habit can be excused and absolved so long as you travel 20MPH below the speed limit.
(c) Experience counts for nothing if you don't abide by the above rules. Abiding by the above rules will be the equivalent of 30 years or 500,000 miles driving experience, even if you have just passed your test.

.... I would get the "arm waving and flashing of lights" when I overtook someone in a single carriage way road...
...Why? I dont take risks, I do quick and safe overtakes, don't cut in... The last one was someone it a people carrier doing 40mph in an NSL - I overtook on an empty long straight and I dont think I even reached 60 in passing him. This behaviour is most strange...

Hey there's an idea .... trafpol driving around in porches overtaking, anyone caught displaying "outraged behavior" symptoms get their car and everything in it instantly taken off them and crushed right there and then, just leave em standing at the side of the road to walk home and reflect on their behavior on the way

I'd look at :
1) how much gap was there between you and the 'overtakee' as you start to pull out for the overtake,
2) when you start to pull back in also how much gap is there (in seconds) ...

The reason is that the tighter it is the more people can feel that their 'space' is being 'invaded' and so feel threatened thus the 'flash' etc.

IF you have left at least 1.5sec gaps for both and pref more, and still receiving such treatment, I'd put it down to them being a highly nervous driver and unable to recognise when things are safe. Some might be thinking that the speed limit is lower and so think you are going way over ... but it might be lack of confidence and ability too.
If someone travels in a car of little performance they can never appreciate the ability and easy with which you can perform. Plus your wealth of experience and confidence might far exceed theirs.

What to do about it ... that's a trickier one to tackle. To challenge their behaviour might lead to all sorts of difficulties and not sensible to explore as much as it would be interesting.
I think I'd try making the overtake as 'gentle' and as not threatening as possible. See if it changes ?
I'd try and look at the driver as I overtook to see who they are, to try to learn more about them, such as if they appear comfortable and confident behind the wheel or if they seem nervous and tense etc.

How clear are the road signs on the road? Is it 'anywhere' or along specific routes ?

Is there any chance they think they know the driver and it is a hello (to the former owner) ?

Prof Beard : When you overtake do you 'keep some (throttle) in reserve' ?
Could it be that 'they' perceive things differently and become nervous over some aspect of the environment / conditions ?
NSL are probably more likely to make people nervous due to the 'oncoming' possibility. (Unless d/c / 3lane).

 
Overtaking


138. Before overtaking you should make sure

• the road is sufficiently clear ahead
• the vehicle behind is not beginning to overtake you
• there is a suitable gap in front of the vehicle you plan to overtake.

139. Overtake only when it is safe to do so. You should

• not get too close to the vehicle you intend to overtake
use your mirrors, signal when it is safe to do so, take a quick sideways glance into the blind spot area and then start to move out
• not assume that you can simply follow a vehicle ahead which is overtaking; there may only be enough room for one vehicle move quickly past the vehicle you are overtaking, once you have started to overtake. Allow plenty of room. Move back to the left as soon as you can but do not cut in
• take extra care at night and in poor visibility when it is harder to judge speed and distance
• give way to oncoming vehicles before passing parked vehicles or other obstructions on your side of the road
• only overtake on the left if the vehicle in front is signalling to turn right, and there is room to do so
• stay in your lane if traffic is moving slowly in queues. If the queue on your right is moving more slowly than you are, you may pass on the left
• give motorcyclists, cyclists and horse riders at least as much room as you would a car when overtaking (see Rules 188, 189 and 191.

140. Large vehicles. Overtaking these is more difficult. You should

• drop back to increase your ability to see ahead. Getting too close to large vehicles will obscure your view of the road ahead and there may be another slow moving vehicle in front
• make sure that you have enough room to complete your overtaking manoeuvre before committing yourself. It takes longer to pass a large vehicle. If in doubt do not overtake
• not assume you can follow a vehicle ahead which is overtaking a long vehicle. If a problem develops, they may abort overtaking and pull back in.

141. You MUST NOT overtake

• if you would have to cross or straddle double white lines with a solid line nearest to you (but see Rule 108)
• if you would have to enter an area designed to divide traffic, if it is surrounded by a solid white line
• the nearest vehicle to a pedestrian crossing, especially when it has stopped to let pedestrians cross
• if you would have to enter a lane reserved for buses, trams or cycles during its hours of operation
• after a 'No Overtaking' sign and until you pass a sign cancelling the restriction.

142. DO NOT overtake if there is any doubt, or where you cannot see far enough ahead to be sure it is safe. For example, when you are approaching

• a corner or bend
• a hump bridge
• the brow of a hill.

143. DO NOT overtake where you might come into conflict with other road users. For example

• approaching or at a road junction on either side of the road
• where the road narrows
• when approaching a school crossing patrol
• between the kerb and a bus or tram when it is at a stop
• where traffic is queuing at junctions or road works
• when you would force another vehicle to swerve or slow down
• at a level crossing
• when a vehicle is indicating right, even if you believe the signal should have been cancelled. Do not take a risk; wait for the signal to be cancelled.

144. 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.

145. 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.