Does a fast car bring out the worst in you?

[captainzep]

I'm beginning to think that I'm far more likely to do something I'm not particularly proud of in a swift car than a slower one with less ability.

That doesn't mean that fast cars are more dangerous of course, and when I'm driving properly I appreciate the extra engineering.

Nothing major has happened, I just think I've annoyed a couple of drivers recently and on balance think their annoyance was justified. Not my usual modus operandi hence the introspection. I also think it was my use of the loud pedal (and my attitude around it) that was a major factor.

In the most recent case I took the opportunity to get past a few cars before rejoining lane 1 of a dual carriageway to leave at the next exit. I left it later than I should have done and cut-in to a gap which was reasonably big but still 'borrowed' a few yards of braking distance from the car behind -who flashed his displeasure accordingly.

I'll be more judicious next time and am having one of those gentle re-thinks about my driving. But I don't remember this problem in slower cars...

[havoc]

I'm not sure it's the car with me, more my attitude at the time.

As for what affects my attitude...
- weather
- music
- what car I'm driving ( )
- whether other drivers have 'got to me' already that day (I know, I know...but we're all human, and there's LOTS of idiots around nowadays...)

[Alfanatic]

captainzep said:

I'm beginning to think that I'm far more likely to do something I'm not particularly proud of in a swift car than a slower one with less ability.

That doesn't mean that fast cars are more dangerous of course, and when I'm driving properly I appreciate the extra engineering.

Nothing major has happened, I just think I've annoyed a couple of drivers recently and on balance think their annoyance was justified. Not my usual modus operandi hence the introspection. I also think it was my use of the loud pedal (and my attitude around it) that was a major factor.

In the most recent case I took the opportunity to get past a few cars before rejoining lane 1 of a dual carriageway to leave at the next exit. I left it later than I should have done and cut-in to a gap which was reasonably big but still 'borrowed' a few yards of braking distance from the car behind -who flashed his displeasure accordingly.

I'll be more judicious next time and am having one of those gentle re-thinks about my driving. But I don't remember this problem in slower cars...

You probably don't remember those kinds of problems in slower cars because the lower performance did not allow as many opportunities. A fast car gives you more options to do something like that - your example of accelerating past a line of traffic then pulling in, for example, might not have been viable in a car with less performance. In the faster car, you do it because you can.

So yeah, I'd say it brings out the worst in me.

[RobM77]

I can't comment on the speed aspect, but really good driver's cars bring out the best in me because I love driving them so much. How could I ever get annoyed driving my beloved Lotus? I've got a permanent grin on my face Mind you, I need it for all the hassle I get off other drivers, especially in vans...

[ADJimbo]

Does a fast car bring out the worst in me - No! Does it affect my driving style - Yes...

I will always look for legal progression - I will always ensure that any drive I make will be safe, systamatic and sensitive. If it means I can speed these processes up, I will be an early adopter...

[AB]

I wouldnt say it brought out the worst in me, but I would say it allowed me to make decisions that I otherwise would not have to make - some of these decisions are not the best ones for the situation.

For example, pulling up alongside the likes of a Mondeo in the second lane in a 2-into-1 merge shortly after. End up caught up in a bit of a grand prix. If i was driving Corsa, I'd be stuck at the back IYSWIM.

[Chris71]

I'd love to say no (in defence of fast cars), but I think I do sometimes feel calmer wafting along in quieter, comfier cars. By the same token, I think I probably pay more attention when 'pressing on' than I do dawdling in the daily driver.

But the worst driving I see is almost always perpetrated by young ladies in people carriers or similar yelling at the brats in the back or OAPs in Hyundais. That's certainly not influenced by having a fast car.

I honestly can't remember the last time I saw a real sports car being driven badly. Plenty of Norf Landaaan bling merchants acting like prats, but real enthusiasts cars as seem to have real-enthusiast drivers!

[Mattt]

I often forget I'm driving a fast car, and sit in a queue of traffic - then by the time I realise I can overtake the opportunity has always passed

[Alfanatic]

Chris71 said:

I'd love to say no (in defence of fast cars), but I think I do sometimes feel calmer wafting along in quieter, comfier cars. By the same token, I think I probably pay more attention when 'pressing on' than I do dawdling in the daily driver.

But the worst driving I see is almost always perpetrated by young ladies in people carriers or similar yelling at the brats in the back or OAPs in Hyundais. That's certainly not influenced by having a fast car.

I honestly can't remember the last time I saw a real sports car being driven badly. Plenty of Norf Landaaan bling merchants acting like prats, but real enthusiasts cars as seem to have real-enthusiast drivers!

I think that has to be taken in perspective though. Would the average bad driver in a people carrier drive worse in a fast people carrier? Would the good driver drive even better in a 1.2 Corsa?

I read it another way: When driving a car with low performance, does it stop you undertaking manoeuvres that you would otherwise be happy to take on, that other road users may find annoying, like pulling away quickly from lights in lane 2 to get to the front of the queue, accelerate past a line of cars to meet an offramp rather than pull in behind them, overtake where you otherwise wouldn't be able to... or whatever your worst is.

[Chris71]

Alfanatic said:

I read it another way: When driving a car with low performance, does it stop you undertaking manoeuvres that you would otherwise be happy to take on, that other road users may find annoying, like pulling away quickly from lights in lane 2 to get to the front of the queue, accelerate past a line of cars to meet an offramp rather than pull in behind them, overtake where you otherwise wouldn't be able to... or whatever your worst is.

True. Another thing is you're unlikely to go out for a hoon with the soul intention of driving 'enthusiastically' if you're in a 1.2 Corsa. If you're just driving down to the shops, you'd maybe be more likely to sit behind the car in front than go for a more ambitious overtake.

[Alfanatic]

Chris71 said:

Alfanatic said:

I read it another way: When driving a car with low performance, does it stop you undertaking manoeuvres that you would otherwise be happy to take on, that other road users may find annoying, like pulling away quickly from lights in lane 2 to get to the front of the queue, accelerate past a line of cars to meet an offramp rather than pull in behind them, overtake where you otherwise wouldn't be able to... or whatever your worst is.

True. Another thing is you're unlikely to go out for a hoon with the soul intention of driving 'enthusiastically' if you're in a 1.2 Corsa. If you're just driving down to the shops, you'd maybe be more likely to sit behind the car in front than go for a more ambitious overtake.

You're absolutely right there.

[Scooby72]

I'm convinced it's the music that affects my driving more than the car i'm in.

[crisisjez]

I drive slower in my powerful cars than I do in my daily driver.
(One`s really too fast to use on the road TBO)
When I want to drive them fast, I pay to do it in a safe environment.

I never have any music on when I drive them as its a recipe for disaster, but as all 3 are V8`s with a total of over 1600HP, you don`t need to anyway

[Hooli]

Alfanatic said:

I read it another way: When driving a car with low performance, does it stop you undertaking manoeuvres that you would otherwise be happy to take on, that other road users may find annoying, like pulling away quickly from lights in lane 2 to get to the front of the queue, accelerate past a line of cars to meet an offramp rather than pull in behind them, overtake where you otherwise wouldn't be able to... or whatever your worst is.

Yes a slow car (or indeed almost any car as i'm a biker) stops me doing things i would otherwise do.
However i'd say that not attempting the manoeuvre isnt better driving, its just recognising the limits of your vehicle. to attempt the same actions in a vehicle incapable of them with a safety margin would be poor driving.

I do admit though, the spare power does mean i'll have 'oh fk off out my way tard' moments & get around someone whos just blocking the road up with their lack of ability. I'll want to do the same in slower vehicles whilst recognising i cant get away with it safely.

[RedAlfa]

It can do

I avoid driving my Alfa quickly, otherwise I'd have 12 points and a driving ban!

Edited by RedAlfa on Friday 7th May 19:57

[brisel]

My answer to the OP's question is no.

[selfflagellation]

My only caveat would be that perhaps when I'm making good progress, my speed differential to other traffic [usually being overtaken] can be higher, with the risk of suprising other road users. Perhaps I'm not showing enough due care and consideration to others, plus I (and any others nearby) run a higher risk of not being able to react quickly enough should it all go Pete Tong.

A foul mood or running late for something important is most likely to bring out the worst in me.

[/selfflagellation]

Am I expected to behave like a w**ker just because I drive an RS4? According to Jeremy Clarkson, yes! I do try not to live up to that expectation - I usually try and be an ambassador for my IAM badge but the halo can slip occasionally

[dugt]

im going to say im the oposite to this

the other day i over took 3 cars in one go, ive never done that before
i was in a 1 litre suzuki alto, so you can imagine its not exactly quick

when i drove my 1.4(16 valve) 700 kg sports car, which ive just sold, i never over took more than one car at a time


so why is this? the suzuki is very quiet, your seperated from the outiside
enouigh to not hear the tiny engine, but not enough to make it a comfortable motorway cruiser
in the suzuki to over take the 3 cars, i had full throttle the whole time, i didn't lift untill i was a good 100 feet infront of the leading car

in the sports car, i hardly ever used full throttle, i could probably count it on one hand,

id also say that slower cars are MUCH more dangerous, accelerating out of danger should be an option as well as braking out of danger

doug

[geordieexpat]

When I drive my Sag I drive the way I feel, what I think is an unusual sports car like the Sagaris brings the worst in other drivers trying to get in front of you and people in front not movin out the way, I just laugh and drive the Sag with a big smile on my face

[mikeveal]

I used to find exactly the opposite.
When driving something gutless, I drove to the limits of the car / road.
Then I bought a hot hatch and found that driving around at 9/10ths wasn't possible. The car was too quick for the roads and traffic. I slowed up a bit, but I still used to enjoy using the loud pedal to pass other motorists.

Now I have a fairly serious kit car. I know damn well that any tin-top that isn't the subject of wall posters for small boys isn't going to touch the Skunk for acceleration. I don't bother with drag racing other cars or nipping around traffic anymore. There's no sport when a win is a foregone conclusion. I'm also very conscious that my car is conspicuous, driving like a loon will earn me points and points do make prizes.

When the roads open up, and the other traffic goes away, I'm not adverse to having some fun on the twisties. But I find that I'm limited by my ability, not the car. That being the case, I look further ahead, and think more. I'm driving quicker, but my standard of driving is better.

[Chris71]

Incidentally I seem to remember hearing that an insurance company study a while back concluded the safest driver on the road (although not necessarily the lowest financial risk) was a male sports car driver aged 35-50 or something like that.

So it obviously doesn't bringout the worst in everyone. That said I'm not 35-50 yet...