General advice wanted
Discussion
Hello, I am seeking advice to help me improve, notable when being tailgated with the driver behind approx. 0.5sec from my rear bumper and other situations with plonkers behind.
Over the past year and a half I have had just three 'incidents'.
Firstly, on the A6 between Matlock and Ambergate, multiple cyclists out. On the 4 overtakes I keep my technique to what is written in roadcraft, or as near as possible.
However, for the latter 3 overtakes I have a HGV carrying aggregates approach. We're in the 50mph just just past Cromford Hill. I gradually slow approaching the cyclist and bend, match his speed of 27mph and when the road straightens and single lines become dashed I overtake.
Second cyclist just before a speed change to 40mph, solid lines and double bend. I gradually slow and match speed, no issue. Its solid lines and we're doing 20mph on mid ben on the fist left so I hold back about 18' and 2' wide of the cyclist. As we enter the second bend, the HGV closes the gap behind me to the point of seeing nothing but his front grille in all three mirrors They are flashing and honking at this point, its still a double bend and blind. I hold back and overtake once the road then straightens, and at that point make the biggest gap between me and the HGV as safe and legal.
Third cyclist is about 300 yards away as I pass Whatstandwell rail station. Oncoming cars, a fair amount. I slow gradually and the HGV starts to get bigger in my rear view. I'm now 150yards and going 30mph, cyclist 15mph max. I gradually match his speed approaching the right hand bend which goes up hill. The HGV at this point is about 1.5 second behind and oncoming traffic in the other lane. The road straightens out and the HGV comes within 3ft of my bumper. I still have no opportunity to overtake due to oncoming. We approach the next left and the cyclist slows to 10mph. I cannot slow to match, but have 12' of space, I can go 3' wider than the cyclist. It's still not safe to pass due to oncoming traffic but at the point I am pushed passed by the HGV (less than 1' between me and HGV, no way to slow if the cyclist slows), who then also squeezes past with less than 1' either side of him, cyclist and oncoming cars. This is a 50mph zone, anyhow after that I make sure I am away from the HGV.
I evaluated this once home and the only conclusion I could come up with was to overtake when I can't see what's coming, or risk a messy rear-ending.
Neither of these overtakes or approaches was I harsh on braking, all gradual, plenty of warning and overtaking when safe, bar the last which was I had no choice in.
Secondly, heading home through Matlock Bath, a chap in a Meganne was ejected from Matlock Illuminations. He pulled out of the car park in the 40mph zone with speed camera and proceeded to drive at 22mph, then slow to 10 and back to 40mph before slowing again to 22mph. he did this to Ambergate as you re-enter the 50mph limit. At this point I'm keeping 5 seconds behind him for the entire time.
He then picks up to 50mph, and then slows to 10mph, its clear so I indicate and start to pass. He speeds up to block me in the other lane so I slow, to which he also slows. I then accelerate and he matches speed, so I slow and so does he. At that point we are at 30mph and I have been kept in the other lane unable to move back or pass. I blip and drop to 2nd before then getting to 60mph to get past.
He then proceeded to tailgate me the rest of the way.
I have not overtaken a car since, and there has been a few erratic drivers to which I now pull over and let the cars behind me pass and I keep them as a safety cushion.
The third, was much like the HGV on a cyclist overtake, however, as I overtake they proceed to tailgate in-order-to pass before oncoming traffic is too close.
No other issue with that one.
I've been on motorcycles 6 years (12,000 miles p/a) and touch wood, no incidents. A year and half in a car and thankfully they are the only three, in 15,000 miles.
I reflect on every journey and with these three I am stumped, as all 'legal' options made situations worse and dangerous. The only solution I can think of, bar exceeding the speed limit is to pull over in advance, and let them pass, however on urban clearway roads.
I intend on training for ROSPA in the coming year, however, what can any advise?
EDIT: clarification of following time. .5sec rewrote to 0.5
Over the past year and a half I have had just three 'incidents'.
Firstly, on the A6 between Matlock and Ambergate, multiple cyclists out. On the 4 overtakes I keep my technique to what is written in roadcraft, or as near as possible.
However, for the latter 3 overtakes I have a HGV carrying aggregates approach. We're in the 50mph just just past Cromford Hill. I gradually slow approaching the cyclist and bend, match his speed of 27mph and when the road straightens and single lines become dashed I overtake.
Second cyclist just before a speed change to 40mph, solid lines and double bend. I gradually slow and match speed, no issue. Its solid lines and we're doing 20mph on mid ben on the fist left so I hold back about 18' and 2' wide of the cyclist. As we enter the second bend, the HGV closes the gap behind me to the point of seeing nothing but his front grille in all three mirrors They are flashing and honking at this point, its still a double bend and blind. I hold back and overtake once the road then straightens, and at that point make the biggest gap between me and the HGV as safe and legal.
Third cyclist is about 300 yards away as I pass Whatstandwell rail station. Oncoming cars, a fair amount. I slow gradually and the HGV starts to get bigger in my rear view. I'm now 150yards and going 30mph, cyclist 15mph max. I gradually match his speed approaching the right hand bend which goes up hill. The HGV at this point is about 1.5 second behind and oncoming traffic in the other lane. The road straightens out and the HGV comes within 3ft of my bumper. I still have no opportunity to overtake due to oncoming. We approach the next left and the cyclist slows to 10mph. I cannot slow to match, but have 12' of space, I can go 3' wider than the cyclist. It's still not safe to pass due to oncoming traffic but at the point I am pushed passed by the HGV (less than 1' between me and HGV, no way to slow if the cyclist slows), who then also squeezes past with less than 1' either side of him, cyclist and oncoming cars. This is a 50mph zone, anyhow after that I make sure I am away from the HGV.
I evaluated this once home and the only conclusion I could come up with was to overtake when I can't see what's coming, or risk a messy rear-ending.
Neither of these overtakes or approaches was I harsh on braking, all gradual, plenty of warning and overtaking when safe, bar the last which was I had no choice in.
Secondly, heading home through Matlock Bath, a chap in a Meganne was ejected from Matlock Illuminations. He pulled out of the car park in the 40mph zone with speed camera and proceeded to drive at 22mph, then slow to 10 and back to 40mph before slowing again to 22mph. he did this to Ambergate as you re-enter the 50mph limit. At this point I'm keeping 5 seconds behind him for the entire time.
He then picks up to 50mph, and then slows to 10mph, its clear so I indicate and start to pass. He speeds up to block me in the other lane so I slow, to which he also slows. I then accelerate and he matches speed, so I slow and so does he. At that point we are at 30mph and I have been kept in the other lane unable to move back or pass. I blip and drop to 2nd before then getting to 60mph to get past.
He then proceeded to tailgate me the rest of the way.
I have not overtaken a car since, and there has been a few erratic drivers to which I now pull over and let the cars behind me pass and I keep them as a safety cushion.
The third, was much like the HGV on a cyclist overtake, however, as I overtake they proceed to tailgate in-order-to pass before oncoming traffic is too close.
No other issue with that one.
I've been on motorcycles 6 years (12,000 miles p/a) and touch wood, no incidents. A year and half in a car and thankfully they are the only three, in 15,000 miles.
I reflect on every journey and with these three I am stumped, as all 'legal' options made situations worse and dangerous. The only solution I can think of, bar exceeding the speed limit is to pull over in advance, and let them pass, however on urban clearway roads.
I intend on training for ROSPA in the coming year, however, what can any advise?
EDIT: clarification of following time. .5sec rewrote to 0.5
Edited by anonymous-user on Sunday 28th April 15:30
I don't understand how being tailgated 'pushes' you into doing an overtake - unless the HGV literally made contact with you in which case presumably you would have stopped to exchange details.
HGVs tailgate for a few reasons, one of which can be due to the driver's raised position gives them better visibility so in their opinion they think you're being too cautious, but mostly when an HGV tailgates it's because the driver is a dick. Many drivers think it's acceptable to squeeze close-by cyclists and get frustrated when a driver ahead is waiting for a proper opportunity.
There's no need to be bullied into doing an overtake you think is inappropriate. If it gets really bad I might use the hazard lights, or probably just pull over/turn off.
HGVs tailgate for a few reasons, one of which can be due to the driver's raised position gives them better visibility so in their opinion they think you're being too cautious, but mostly when an HGV tailgates it's because the driver is a dick. Many drivers think it's acceptable to squeeze close-by cyclists and get frustrated when a driver ahead is waiting for a proper opportunity.
There's no need to be bullied into doing an overtake you think is inappropriate. If it gets really bad I might use the hazard lights, or probably just pull over/turn off.
Thank you, that makes sense. They'd have much better visibility. I used to load trailers, and the drivers we had often commented thatd they'd rather just race back to avoid a 45min break in a lay by, especially on their last journey of the day.
I suppose I lack backbone is certain situations, too. Find it rather frustrating though. I'm not the risk taking type, I'd rather not drive at all but need to for work - so any way I can improve I will.
Thank you for your imput
I suppose I lack backbone is certain situations, too. Find it rather frustrating though. I'm not the risk taking type, I'd rather not drive at all but need to for work - so any way I can improve I will.
Thank you for your imput
Edited by anonymous-user on Sunday 7th April 09:36
Etypephil said:
As far as the HGVs are concerned, if you have a hands-free phone, call old bill (999) and say that the HGV is attempting to force you off the road. Make them do their job; the bonus is getting a homicidal Tony Blair off the road.
Ironically my zafira has hands free functioning buttons but no hand free capabilities, as they were optional extras. I have since evaluated and worked on my approach. I'm taking a much more defensive style and worked on being less hesitant to overtake when it is clear to pass.
I'm also holding a bigger gap behind cyclists and taking a dominant position in my lane and seems to have the effect of telling the following vehicle that I am not just following the cyclist indefinitely without intention to pass while waiting for safe and legal chance to do so.
Just rereading my original post and it looks rather arrogantly written. That wasn't the intention, I admitidly have poor ability to communicate in English so I apologise!
It's very hard not to be intimidated by "tailgaters"
Safest option is to gently increase the distance between you and road user in front to "create" a bigger gap for you to control him in, so if vehicle in front brakes/signals/swerves etc.... you can brake really gently so numpty behind has time to react without hitting you
If you can pull over do so, let him then go and tail gate the one in front of you
Remember
"Only a kunt hits the car in front!"
Safest option is to gently increase the distance between you and road user in front to "create" a bigger gap for you to control him in, so if vehicle in front brakes/signals/swerves etc.... you can brake really gently so numpty behind has time to react without hitting you
If you can pull over do so, let him then go and tail gate the one in front of you
Remember
"Only a kunt hits the car in front!"
Jaetten said:
Hello, I am seeking advice to help me improve, notable when being tailgated with the driver behind approx. .5sec from my rear bumper
A gap of 5 secs isn't really tailgating IMO30 mph a 5 second gap is 220ft
60 mph a 5 second gap is 440ft
There was an old saying, "Only a fool breaks the 2 second rule"
ChrisnChris said:
Jaetten said:
Hello, I am seeking advice to help me improve, notable when being tailgated with the driver behind approx. .5sec from my rear bumper
A gap of 5 secs isn't really tailgating IMO30 mph a 5 second gap is 220ft
60 mph a 5 second gap is 440ft
There was an old saying, "Only a fool breaks the 2 second rule"
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