Moving into peoples blindspot
Discussion
A lot of people are totally oblivious to dangers. They can't see situations and often have their minds on anything but the job in hand when they're driving. Of course some may just be inexperienced as well if they've only recently passed their tests and we all make mistakes sometimes. The skill is in being ready for anyone to do anything and you can't trust other people to do the correct thing in any given situation.
It is a sad fact that most folk driving on the roads today have either absolutly no idea or just plain don't give a hoot for others let alone themselves and any passengers that they may be carrying.
Most 'believe' that they can 'drive' a vehicle just because they have passed a simple test that allows them to do so
And most believe that they are the best driver on the road.
Most 'believe' that they can 'drive' a vehicle just because they have passed a simple test that allows them to do so
And most believe that they are the best driver on the road.
The Hooligan said:
It is a sad fact that most folk driving on the roads today have either absolutly no idea or just plain don't give a hoot for others let alone themselves and any passengers that they may be carrying.
As above, I think that is mostly due to the safe handling and feeling of security provided by a modern car. There's no feeling of danger in a car. Put them on a bike or in an old Austin Seven abd they may behave differently.People don't change that much over time.
The Hooligan said:
And most believe that they are the best driver on the road.
I doubt that has changed much over the years.The Hooligan said:
It is a sad fact that most folk driving on the roads today have either absolutly no idea or just plain don't give a hoot for others let alone themselves and any passengers that they may be carrying.
Most 'believe' that they can 'drive' a vehicle just because they have passed a simple test that allows them to do so
And most believe that they are the best driver on the road.
This plus lots.Most 'believe' that they can 'drive' a vehicle just because they have passed a simple test that allows them to do so
And most believe that they are the best driver on the road.
I might have been guilty of this as a new driver for a few years, but after being caught out a few times when changing lanes when there were cars at 5 o'clock matching my speed, I mitigated this by adjusting the mirrors (and modern mirrors are better), and improving periperal vision perception. These days I no longer get caught out and no longer drive in a way that might catch others unawares.
While sometimes frustrating, you have to accept that a percentage of other people are of lower ability than yourself.
While sometimes frustrating, you have to accept that a percentage of other people are of lower ability than yourself.
Perhaps it is a symptom of the impatience of others. I NEVER move left (or right) until I am WELL AHEAD of the car I have just overtaken. I ALWAYS ensure that I can see some road in front of their vehicle in my mirror before I signal and move left. If the point at which I can see enough space behind me happens to coincide with being too close to the next car ahead and to my left, I'll stay out until I've passed them too. This means that I am frequently left out in lane 2/3 because traffic in lane 1/2 is too close together to allow me to join safely.
My point? Try doing that, and watch the reaction of anything behind you - burning rage is common. It's not like I'm 'slow' either, but often I'll be "at or about" the speed limit for the road. Some people want to go faster, I get that, but patience, dribblers, patience. I will NOT be coerced or forced into making what I consider dangerous manoeuvres simply because you hit snooze one too many times.
The same is true of moving from lane 3 to lane 2, when you are close behind someone in lane 1 who has caught/is catching a slower vehicle. Reading the road tells me that their move from lane 1 to lane 2 is highly likely, and my move from lane 3 to lane 2 would potentially bring me into conflict with them, so I stay out that little longer so that everyone completes safely. Sometimes I've had the tit behind me 'undertake' and have to slam on to avoid the car from lane 1! (That'll be why I stayed in lane 3, doofus)
Similarly, when I want to make an overtake from lane 1 and there is faster traffic approaching in lane 3, I will stay where I am until I am sure that said faster traffic has passed safely, in either lane 2 or lane 3. I can't imagine many scenarios worse than being 'PIT'ed by another vehicle at motorway speeds, simply for want of a little patience and some decent observations.
This repeated demonstration of impatience/aggression from other drivers may be why some folk tend to change lanes at a 'bad' time, such as when they are in someone's blind spot. They just want out of the way of some revved up lunatic as quickly as possible, and they would rather take their chances with a 'blind spot lane change' or trying to slip into a space which really doesn't have enough clearance to be truly 'safe', rather than be aggressively tailgated for several miles .
My point? Try doing that, and watch the reaction of anything behind you - burning rage is common. It's not like I'm 'slow' either, but often I'll be "at or about" the speed limit for the road. Some people want to go faster, I get that, but patience, dribblers, patience. I will NOT be coerced or forced into making what I consider dangerous manoeuvres simply because you hit snooze one too many times.
The same is true of moving from lane 3 to lane 2, when you are close behind someone in lane 1 who has caught/is catching a slower vehicle. Reading the road tells me that their move from lane 1 to lane 2 is highly likely, and my move from lane 3 to lane 2 would potentially bring me into conflict with them, so I stay out that little longer so that everyone completes safely. Sometimes I've had the tit behind me 'undertake' and have to slam on to avoid the car from lane 1! (That'll be why I stayed in lane 3, doofus)
Similarly, when I want to make an overtake from lane 1 and there is faster traffic approaching in lane 3, I will stay where I am until I am sure that said faster traffic has passed safely, in either lane 2 or lane 3. I can't imagine many scenarios worse than being 'PIT'ed by another vehicle at motorway speeds, simply for want of a little patience and some decent observations.
This repeated demonstration of impatience/aggression from other drivers may be why some folk tend to change lanes at a 'bad' time, such as when they are in someone's blind spot. They just want out of the way of some revved up lunatic as quickly as possible, and they would rather take their chances with a 'blind spot lane change' or trying to slip into a space which really doesn't have enough clearance to be truly 'safe', rather than be aggressively tailgated for several miles .
The Hooligan said:
Most 'believe' that they can 'drive' a vehicle just because they have passed a simple test that allows them to do so
I think there's been a culture shift in recent years whereby the focus is on who is "at fault" rather than looking for the best possible outcome to a situation. Where there's a blame, there's a claim, etc 
Chris
yellowjack said:
lots of words...
If only others were like you. They seem to be unable to anticipate the next moves of other drivers. Many a time I change lane to get out of somebody elses way even before they've indicated their desire to change lane.It's very refreshing when I see somebody do this for me.
yellowjack said:
Perhaps it is a symptom of the impatience of others. I NEVER move left (or right) until I am WELL AHEAD of the car I have just overtaken. I ALWAYS ensure that I can see some road in front of their vehicle in my mirror before I signal and move left. If the point at which I can see enough space behind me happens to coincide with being too close to the next car ahead and to my left, I'll stay out until I've passed them too. This means that I am frequently left out in lane 2/3 because traffic in lane 1/2 is too close together to allow me to join safely.
My point? Try doing that, and watch the reaction of anything behind you - burning rage is common. It's not like I'm 'slow' either, but often I'll be "at or about" the speed limit for the road. Some people want to go faster, I get that, but patience, dribblers, patience. I will NOT be coerced or forced into making what I consider dangerous manoeuvres simply because you hit snooze one too many times.
The same is true of moving from lane 3 to lane 2, when you are close behind someone in lane 1 who has caught/is catching a slower vehicle. Reading the road tells me that their move from lane 1 to lane 2 is highly likely, and my move from lane 3 to lane 2 would potentially bring me into conflict with them, so I stay out that little longer so that everyone completes safely. Sometimes I've had the tit behind me 'undertake' and have to slam on to avoid the car from lane 1! (That'll be why I stayed in lane 3, doofus)
Similarly, when I want to make an overtake from lane 1 and there is faster traffic approaching in lane 3, I will stay where I am until I am sure that said faster traffic has passed safely, in either lane 2 or lane 3. I can't imagine many scenarios worse than being 'PIT'ed by another vehicle at motorway speeds, simply for want of a little patience and some decent observations.
This repeated demonstration of impatience/aggression from other drivers may be why some folk tend to change lanes at a 'bad' time, such as when they are in someone's blind spot. They just want out of the way of some revved up lunatic as quickly as possible, and they would rather take their chances with a 'blind spot lane change' or trying to slip into a space which really doesn't have enough clearance to be truly 'safe', rather than be aggressively tailgated for several miles .
I've tried to explain this on numerous threads about MLMs, with little or no success. Not everyone who gets tarnished as an MLM or Outside Lane Owner is one just because they're not cutting closely in front of people into small gaps that only amount to other people's safe stopping distances. Whilst someone not moving over to allow you to pass is frustrating you have to appreciate they can't be expected to cut other people up.My point? Try doing that, and watch the reaction of anything behind you - burning rage is common. It's not like I'm 'slow' either, but often I'll be "at or about" the speed limit for the road. Some people want to go faster, I get that, but patience, dribblers, patience. I will NOT be coerced or forced into making what I consider dangerous manoeuvres simply because you hit snooze one too many times.
The same is true of moving from lane 3 to lane 2, when you are close behind someone in lane 1 who has caught/is catching a slower vehicle. Reading the road tells me that their move from lane 1 to lane 2 is highly likely, and my move from lane 3 to lane 2 would potentially bring me into conflict with them, so I stay out that little longer so that everyone completes safely. Sometimes I've had the tit behind me 'undertake' and have to slam on to avoid the car from lane 1! (That'll be why I stayed in lane 3, doofus)
Similarly, when I want to make an overtake from lane 1 and there is faster traffic approaching in lane 3, I will stay where I am until I am sure that said faster traffic has passed safely, in either lane 2 or lane 3. I can't imagine many scenarios worse than being 'PIT'ed by another vehicle at motorway speeds, simply for want of a little patience and some decent observations.
This repeated demonstration of impatience/aggression from other drivers may be why some folk tend to change lanes at a 'bad' time, such as when they are in someone's blind spot. They just want out of the way of some revved up lunatic as quickly as possible, and they would rather take their chances with a 'blind spot lane change' or trying to slip into a space which really doesn't have enough clearance to be truly 'safe', rather than be aggressively tailgated for several miles .
I'm not sure if the OP is talking about people moving into his blind spot though. For example, you talk about moving from L3 to L2 as someone in L1 is about to move out to L2. Is he talking about the L3 to L2 move on someone else's part into his blind spot as he's in L1 looking to move out?
Blakewater said:
I'm not sure if the OP is talking about people moving into his blind spot though. For example, you talk about moving from L3 to L2 as someone in L1 is about to move out to L2. Is he talking about the L3 to L2 move on someone else's part into his blind spot as he's in L1 looking to move out?
Whether it's moving into my blindspot or that of other peoples, I cringe when I see people do it. I can do my best to check over the shoulder, lean forwards to get a wider view in the mirror but still as soon as you look forward somebody can shoot across invisibly into the blindspot. You really do need eyes in the back of your head at times.
It's not as difficult to monitor things on 3 lane motorways but it's that bit more difficult on 4 lane motorways with people shooting across 2 lanes at a time.
yellowjack said:
Lots of very sensible things
That's exactly how I drive on dual carriageways and motorways. It's also the way in which I explain how to drive on dual carriageways and motorways to my IAM and RoSPA associates.The vast majority of associates, no, make that everyone of them, simply don't envisage the threats and hazards that yellowjack writes about. For example, when I talk to them about not passing an LGV in lane 1 until there is space in lane 2 in front of the LGV's cab, so that they are certain not to be stranded in a blind spot, they invariably say... That's a good idea, I'd never thought of that.
I think the answer to the OP's question is that most drivers give very little thought to what they're actually doing, particularly on the motorways.
yellowjack said:
The same is true of moving from lane 3 to lane 2, when you are close behind someone in lane 1 who has caught/is catching a slower vehicle. Reading the road tells me that their move from lane 1 to lane 2 is highly likely, and my move from lane 3 to lane 2 would potentially bring me into conflict with them, so I stay out that little longer so that everyone completes safely. Sometimes I've had the tit behind me 'undertake' and have to slam on to avoid the car from lane 1! (That'll be why I stayed in lane 3, doofus)
Same here. It's rare, but not unknown, for other drivers.yellowjack said:
Similarly, when I want to make an overtake from lane 1 and there is faster traffic approaching in lane 3, I will stay where I am until I am sure that said faster traffic has passed safely, in either lane 2 or lane 3. I can't imagine many scenarios worse than being 'PIT'ed by another vehicle at motorway speeds, simply for want of a little patience and some decent observations.
Again. Same here. It amazes me just how many people are prepared to pull out into the path of a fast approaching car. They presumably don't feel in any danger.johnao said:
The vast majority of associates, no, make that everyone of them, simply don't envisage the threats and hazards that yellowjack writes about.
I think you'll find that there are some, albeit few, people who have sufficient awareness to have thought about such things before attending 'advanced motoring' courses.yellowjack said:
My point? Try doing that, and watch the reaction of anything behind you - burning rage is common. It's not like I'm 'slow' either, but often I'll be "at or about" the speed limit for the road. Some people want to go faster, I get that, but patience, dribblers, patience. I will NOT be coerced or forced into making what I consider dangerous manoeuvres simply because you hit snooze one too many times.
Howsabout... let them get on with their journey and you get on with yours without someone burning with rage behind you?It could seem to those behind you that your in SARP zone.
.It's a blind spot for them, not you. Assuming I can see that they're not encroaching on a vehicle in front and are maintaining their position within the lane I'll quite happily take resposibility for moving into someone's blind spot, ready to react if they try and drive into me. While I might delay changing lane into someone's blind spot if convenient I won't delay someone behind who wishes to make progress. I usually find the behaviour of others fairly predictable. In the rare event that they want to mash the controls violently without reason there's probably no safe place to be.
0000 said:
It's a blind spot for them, not you. Assuming I can see that they're not encroaching on a vehicle in front and are maintaining their position within the lane I'll quite happily take resposibility for moving into someone's blind spot, ready to react if they try and drive into me. While I might delay changing lane into someone's blind spot if convenient I won't delay someone behind who wishes to make progress. I usually find the behaviour of others fairly predictable. In the rare event that they want to mash the controls violently without reason there's probably no safe place to be.
Exactly what I do. If I'm only going a few mph faster I'd be needlessly holding up others if I waited till clear of blind spots. Most modern cars have convex mirrors with virtually no blind spot anyway. And I just watch for stupid moves which we should be doing anyway. Think others would rightly get annoyed. How do you pass a car without being in their blind spot at some point anyway? Gassing Station | Advanced Driving | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff