Why do so few people ‘use all of the road’?
Discussion
I’m often driving early in the morning, or late at night. The roads are (typically) quieter than at other times of the day. As long as there are no solid white lines, and I can see what’s ahead clearly, I ‘use all of the road’ but I find that most people I know, religiously stick to the left lane, even when it was clear to use the other carriageway, on a twisty for example. Why do they not use the available road, to it’s full potential? I find it odd.
I don't know really. I suppose generally at those times I'm tired and going nowhere exciting, so hitting apex's isn't top of my list. There's also those pesky men with flashing blue lights that happen to be there right at the wrong moments. When I am awake though and have the weekend car out, I get perpetually frustrated that I can't use all of it and to enjoy it more. Perhaps the answer is to go out for early morning weekend Summer blasts.
What I do see in commuter hours is piss poor lane discipline, where people ahead wander all over the the place, playing chicken with oncoming traffic.
What I do see in commuter hours is piss poor lane discipline, where people ahead wander all over the the place, playing chicken with oncoming traffic.
The whole road is there, so might as well use it.
Conservation of momentum, and reduced need for avoidable braking and steering inputs is an economically environmentally friendly way to drive ...... maybe why I get over 70k miles from discs and pads, and 30k miles from sets of tyres!!
Conservation of momentum, and reduced need for avoidable braking and steering inputs is an economically environmentally friendly way to drive ...... maybe why I get over 70k miles from discs and pads, and 30k miles from sets of tyres!!
GOATever said:
I’m often driving early in the morning, or late at night. The roads are (typically) quieter than at other times of the day. As long as there are no solid white lines, and I can see what’s ahead clearly, I ‘use all of the road’ but I find that most people I know, religiously stick to the left lane, even when it was clear to use the other carriageway, on a twisty for example. Why do they not use the available road, to it’s full potential? I find it odd.
Most people dont drive quick enough to need to use the other side of the road. For most people a car is a means of getting from A-B. Geeks who properly enjoy cars are a tiny minority.
GOATever said:
I’m often driving early in the morning, or late at night. The roads are (typically) quieter than at other times of the day. As long as there are no solid white lines, and I can see what’s ahead clearly, I ‘use all of the road’ but I find that most people I know, religiously stick to the left lane, even when it was clear to use the other carriageway, on a twisty for example. Why do they not use the available road, to it’s full potential? I find it odd.
i'd worry about becoming more 'tug worthy' 
GOATever said:
I’m often driving early in the morning, or late at night. The roads are (typically) quieter than at other times of the day. As long as there are no solid white lines, and I can see what’s ahead clearly, I ‘use all of the road’ but I find that most people I know, religiously stick to the left lane, even when it was clear to use the other carriageway, on a twisty for example. Why do they not use the available road, to it’s full potential? I find it odd.
You can only use one piece of road which is basically the width of your car, so you also are not using all the road. When you are driving on the wrong side of the road, the correct side of the road is still there not being used 
I will happily be the odd one out here, for a valid reason..
Most times, I enjoy deliberately sticking between the lines/in lane when out for a hoon with friends - because its harder than cutting the corners to maintain the same pace.
I simply like the challenge and lateral feeling of cornering fast in the twisty parts..
That said, much depends on the car you are driving at the time and I would certainly take the path of least resistance in the wifes KIA as steering feedback is non-existent.
Most times, I enjoy deliberately sticking between the lines/in lane when out for a hoon with friends - because its harder than cutting the corners to maintain the same pace.
I simply like the challenge and lateral feeling of cornering fast in the twisty parts..
That said, much depends on the car you are driving at the time and I would certainly take the path of least resistance in the wifes KIA as steering feedback is non-existent.
Monkeylegend said:
GOATever said:
I’m often driving early in the morning, or late at night. The roads are (typically) quieter than at other times of the day. As long as there are no solid white lines, and I can see what’s ahead clearly, I ‘use all of the road’ but I find that most people I know, religiously stick to the left lane, even when it was clear to use the other carriageway, on a twisty for example. Why do they not use the available road, to it’s full potential? I find it odd.
You can only use one piece of road which is basically the width of your car, so you also are not using all the road. When you are driving on the wrong side of the road, the correct side of the road is still there not being used Dominate the country lane.
caelite said:
Monkeylegend said:
GOATever said:
I’m often driving early in the morning, or late at night. The roads are (typically) quieter than at other times of the day. As long as there are no solid white lines, and I can see what’s ahead clearly, I ‘use all of the road’ but I find that most people I know, religiously stick to the left lane, even when it was clear to use the other carriageway, on a twisty for example. Why do they not use the available road, to it’s full potential? I find it odd.
You can only use one piece of road which is basically the width of your car, so you also are not using all the road. When you are driving on the wrong side of the road, the correct side of the road is still there not being used Dominate the country lane.
I don't generally use offsiding to cut corners but to improve visibility on the approach to left handers. There are a couple of twisty lanes near me (EG west of Great Missenden) where you can straight line a zig zagging section, but even then it's mainly about visibility and the concentration required for (and satisfaction from) getting the positioning just right for best view is greater IMHO than from just staying between the lines.
SamR380 said:
Crossing the line in the road?? You maniac driver!
What you need to do is drive everywhere at 40mph, then when you get to the motorway head straight to the middle lane and stay there whilst varying your speed randomly between 60 and 80mph. That way you're safe.
I thought it was just where I live where this happened! What you need to do is drive everywhere at 40mph, then when you get to the motorway head straight to the middle lane and stay there whilst varying your speed randomly between 60 and 80mph. That way you're safe.
It can sometimes be difficult to negotiate the motorway at 70mph on cruise control around here, as you catch up with other cars and pull out to overtake, only for them to accelerate and match your speed!
GOATever said:
I’m often driving early in the morning, or late at night. The roads are (typically) quieter than at other times of the day. As long as there are no solid white lines, and I can see what’s ahead clearly, I ‘use all of the road’ but I find that most people I know, religiously stick to the left lane, even when it was clear to use the other carriageway, on a twisty for example. Why do they not use the available road, to it’s full potential? I find it odd.
Because thats how people are taught to drive at it's basic level.....unfortunatly. Dr Jekyll said:
I don't generally use offsiding to cut corners but to improve visibility on the approach to left handers. There are a couple of twisty lanes near me (EG west of Great Missenden) where you can straight line a zig zagging section, but even then it's mainly about visibility and the concentration required for (and satisfaction from) getting the positioning just right for best view is greater IMHO than from just staying between the lines.
As long as we're not off siding INTO a left hand bend! The theory is sound (improving visability) but should it go worng it's generally catastrophic. You need to be safely on the "correct" side of the road before the bend. As taught on my Poilce standard and advanced car courses as well as advanced bike course and refreshers for both. Also advised by my fellow Rapid Training Instructors who are crash investigators.Dr Jekyll said:
Can be a bit dubious on a bike, oncoming car driver assumes you are having an accident and goes to his 'wrong side of the road' to avoid you. I often move partially over the centre when I'm in the car though.
No more dubious on a bike than in a car really, should only be there when the view was good enough to know it was safe in the first place.Also my first attempt at multi quoting, always wondered how it was done.
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