Standard of driving in NI
Discussion
I think the standard of driving here is getting worse. The general awareness of people is shocking- pulling out without looking, changing lanes without looking, lane hogging, poorly exectued overtakes etc.
It seems like you have to not only drive for yourself, but also everyone in the immediate vicinity in order to avoid accidents.
Of course it has always been thus, but I really get the feeling it is deteriorating. Main culprits appear to be Silver/Black/White A4/A5/A6's; X5's; Megane Scenics and unfortunately a small minority of bikers who are very aggressive and seem to have no sense of self preservation.
Anyone agree, or is it just me?
It seems like you have to not only drive for yourself, but also everyone in the immediate vicinity in order to avoid accidents.
Of course it has always been thus, but I really get the feeling it is deteriorating. Main culprits appear to be Silver/Black/White A4/A5/A6's; X5's; Megane Scenics and unfortunately a small minority of bikers who are very aggressive and seem to have no sense of self preservation.
Anyone agree, or is it just me?
Agreed, normally a Citroen Picasso or some stupid little box that pulls out in front of me. Had a young girl pull in front of me the other day, stopped at the end of the road, looked down, looked up, seen me and just pulled out anyway.
It's the attitude towards overtaking that annoys me the most now, been flashed a few times now for daring to to want to travel at more than 42mph. Also applies to oncoming traffic flashing the lights from 200yds away when you pull back in.
It's the attitude towards overtaking that annoys me the most now, been flashed a few times now for daring to to want to travel at more than 42mph. Also applies to oncoming traffic flashing the lights from 200yds away when you pull back in.
I was on the receiving end of old-man road rage recently. Old man in Hyundai Getz in front of me, car in front of him turning right, me at the back, big open straight road. When car at front turned off, and we started moving I drove round old man (overtake is probably an overstatement) in my C30 T5 which obviously could out-accelerate the miserable getz. The old man went bananas flashing lights and chased me up the road in a rage. As i hit traffic he was still flashing and waving his arms. I pulled over to give him the opportunity to discuss the "incident" but he drove away.
Why do people consider being overtaken to be some kind of assault?
Why do people consider being overtaken to be some kind of assault?
General Zod said:
Why do people consider being overtaken to be some kind of assault?
I'd love to know, not so much of a problem in the rural areas but I really notice it in D'patrick/N'castle direction. Only seems to be in more recent years too, I do remember people used to help others overtake, staying to the left and easing off a little to let someone by. Still get that the odd time but few and far between now.
its shocking atm especially, the other day I was moving off from the lights and the car in the lane beside me just started floating into my lane, I was roughly at his rear quarter, had to put my hand on the horn and stand on the brakes to avoid him, then when we stopped at the next set of lights I looked across expeecting some old guy, but it was a young fella who then proceeded to give me the finger as if I had done something wrong, makes my blood boil!
Many times i have seen the opposite too- a people carrier turning right where there actually is an arrow, but it is red. Lights at Knock Road/King's Road tend to get one major smash quite regularly where some idiot has attempted to kill themselves and some other folk.
I would really like to see some collation of the actual common causes of accidents. For example, when there is a crash on the motorway it is almost certainly due to poor observation and bad decisions. Can the PSNI not wait until accidents are a few years old and then use them anonymously as examples of how not to drive? Show them to learners and on the web or something?
I would really like to see some collation of the actual common causes of accidents. For example, when there is a crash on the motorway it is almost certainly due to poor observation and bad decisions. Can the PSNI not wait until accidents are a few years old and then use them anonymously as examples of how not to drive? Show them to learners and on the web or something?
[rant] I've just noticed this thread and feel I MUST agree and certainly confirm that spotty teenagers in German diseasels are TERRIBLE drivers indeed. They seem to think that because they have a single turbo, can belch carcinogenic black smoke out of their massively oversized drainpipe exhaust and they have 19" knock offs of BBS wheels on a car with cut springs that they MUST remain in the overtaking lane when they are no longer overtaking. Young girls DO seem to be getting very bad at observational skills, maybe it's the revival of the combover hair styles that prevents them from being able to spot people who already have right of way and are carrying infinitely more momentum than them in their stupid bean tin Renault Clio/ VW Plop. The amount of IDIOTS who flip the bird when you sound your horn to alert them to your presence when they try to drive THROUGH your vehicle is just absolutely staggering. How I've not got into some news worthy road rage related incident is beyond me; I think I'm pretty courteous (as required by the highway code) but some of these tools need to sit the test again as far as I'm concerned. [/rant]
[rant] I've just noticed this thread and feel I MUST agree and certainly confirm that spotty teenagers in German diseasels are TERRIBLE drivers indeed. They seem to think that because they have a single turbo, can belch carcinogenic black smoke out of their massively oversized drainpipe exhaust and they have 19" knock offs of BBS wheels on a car with cut springs that they MUST remain in the overtaking lane when they are no longer overtaking. Young girls DO seem to be getting very bad at observational skills, maybe it's the revival of the combover hair styles that prevents them from being able to spot people who already have right of way and are carrying infinitely more momentum than them in their stupid bean tin Renault Clio/ VW Plop. The amount of IDIOTS who flip the bird when you sound your horn to alert them to your presence when they try to drive THROUGH your vehicle is just absolutely staggering. How I've not got into some news worthy road rage related incident is beyond me; I think I'm pretty courteous (as required by the highway code) but some of these tools need to sit the test again as far as I'm concerned. [/rant]
Edited by Rhythmeister on Monday 12th August 15:43
Kudos said:
Coming down the M2, what is it with people coming out from sandyknowes and going into lane 2! There are 3 lanes there now, keep left!!
Same thing happens coming off at Fortwilliam heading northbound - straight into Lane 2 or 3. On the upside, it means I have my own personal lane until Sandyknowles barring the odd lorry or bus.Have to agree with the culprits though - A4s, most people carriers seem to be what I encounter most. I just assume they don't know what they are doing and give them a wide berth.
My personal bugbears.
Prince Charles Way - you do not need to sit in the right hand lane all the way to the top. It's a mile and a half long, plenty of time to move in and out again if you need that lane at the top.
Roundabouts - Many have 2 lanes. Please stick to yours, especially if straight lining it is going to take the nose off my car. I'll not even start on indicating.
Parked cars - If they're on your side of the road then you have to wait for the oncoming cars. Do not just barrel on ahead and expect me to make way for you. I WILL fill the road and make you reverse.
Prince Charles Way - you do not need to sit in the right hand lane all the way to the top. It's a mile and a half long, plenty of time to move in and out again if you need that lane at the top.
Roundabouts - Many have 2 lanes. Please stick to yours, especially if straight lining it is going to take the nose off my car. I'll not even start on indicating.
Parked cars - If they're on your side of the road then you have to wait for the oncoming cars. Do not just barrel on ahead and expect me to make way for you. I WILL fill the road and make you reverse.
Crow555 said:
Same thing happens coming off at Fortwilliam heading northbound - straight into Lane 2 or 3. On the upside, it means I have my own personal lane until Sandyknowles barring the odd lorry or bus.
Amen to that! I think lane 1 is mined.There is another dangerous trend- lorries veering across lanes on M-ways. I think they're texting or something, but it happens all the time. Last one was really close to taking me out. You'd think being in control of something so huge would naturally take your full attention, no?
According to the HC, 2 abreast is the limit, 3 or 4 not allowed. 2 abreast only on roads with good visibility and no traffic. So basically they're t
ts who think that putting on a bit of lycra makes them Bradley Wiggins and they're in the TdeF peleton.
Most of them can't seem to grasp how vulnerable it makes them, some actually think it's safer.
ts who think that putting on a bit of lycra makes them Bradley Wiggins and they're in the TdeF peleton.Most of them can't seem to grasp how vulnerable it makes them, some actually think it's safer.
I am not talking about all cyclists here, but why some have to wear vacuum-pack-tight pink lycra covered in writing (exposing ample beer-guts and stingy lunchboxes) then cycle round like they're on a mission to save the world I will never know, but I wish this fad would die off.
Edited by General Zod on Tuesday 27th August 05:57
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