Driver Awareness

Author
Discussion

Tadhg

Original Poster:

40 posts

280 months

Wednesday 14th November 2001
quotequote all
Hi all
Rant time I'm afraid
Driving to work this morning going into the sun on the M25 and no cars had any lights on. Do drivers not realise that when we look in the mirrors we cant see them, but if their lights are on we can see the lights therefore we know they are there

Also what really p!sses me off is drivers who know where there exit is but wont join a queue but continue on in the fast lane until the last possible second and cut everyone up and wonder why the drivers behind get excited

Last things Indicators are not just for show

Gatso cameras should be banned and driver ed like they have in the States should be introduced into schools.
At least if kiddes parents were driving like twats their offspring would give them a hard time and they would have to improve

Rant over

Drive ON !!

hertsbiker

6,375 posts

278 months

Thursday 15th November 2001
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too right !!!

also I would like to add that drivers should put lights on in ANY poor lighting conditions.

When out on my bike, and my visor gets fine drizzle, dark coloured cars disappear very easily. Dip lights would save this from happening.

Indicators? do ya really think ANYONE uses 'em after passing the test? apart from old gits who indicate right whilst in left lane, to let you know they want to go staight on !!!!

Calm down mate! you're nearly as mad as me.

JonRB

76,108 posts

279 months

Thursday 15th November 2001
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A lot of cars and lorries have their indicators replaced by "I am in the process of changing lane" lights.

MattC

266 posts

282 months

Thursday 15th November 2001
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quote:

When out on my bike, and my visor gets fine drizzle, dark coloured cars disappear very easily. Dip lights would save this from happening.



Yup. But let's keep it at DIPPED lights, please everyone! As dusk approaches on perfectly clear days, it is very difficult to see signs/road-markings/pedestrians when oncoming traffic all have full lights on already.


quote:

Indicators? do ya really think ANYONE uses 'em after passing the test? apart from old gits who indicate right whilst in left lane, to let you know they want to go staight on !!!!



It's not just old gits - this is a bloody epidemic. It often takes twice as long to get onto a roundabout, as all the folks going straight-on/bearing-left have got their RIGHT indicator going, so you have to wait while they turn down YOUR bloody exit! (indicator still on)

Where did this stupid idea come from?!?

Grrr...

VTECDave

2,005 posts

288 months

Thursday 15th November 2001
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Talkin about lights/conditions I've found a new irritant I think....

Full beam lights on busy motorways at night. Still rare but I encountered it on 3 cars I passed within 20 miles. Dangerously blinding for vehicles on both sides of the road I think!.

smeagol

1,947 posts

291 months

Thursday 15th November 2001
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My pet hate with lights are the b@stards with their rear fog lights on when it isn't foggy. Or leave them on when you are behined them. I thought these were a bad idea from the start but now every moron who see rain as a bit misty put their fog lights on and leave them on. Low car drivers like myself then can't see.

Someone should invent a light sensitive fog light so that when it detects light shining on it, it turns off.

Bruce Fielding

2,244 posts

289 months

Thursday 15th November 2001
quotequote all
Sorry MattC but the gits indicating right who are going straight on at roundabouts are correct according to the Highway Code! Straight on isn't always straight ahead at roundabouts and so the rule is always indicate - left if you're taking the first exit, right for any other exit until you pass the provious exit then swich to indicate left. Don't blame them, blame HMG.

Edited by Bruce Fielding on Thursday 15th November 17:37

ATG

21,361 posts

279 months

Thursday 15th November 2001
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I fink MattC was referring to those people who exit the roundabout still indicating right. I know some cloth who do this. When asked why, they say "because I was turning right at the roundabout" ... which although true, is not strictly relevant. If you take the time to explain why, cloth will go into a huff and rule that it was all your fault anyway ... you can't win.

ATG

21,361 posts

279 months

Thursday 15th November 2001
quotequote all
A mate of a cousin (honest) solved the full beam behind you light dilemma. He fitted a parcan 1000W theatre light on the back of his pickup. Good for reversing too.

Dave_H

996 posts

290 months

Thursday 15th November 2001
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I'd say on the UKs roads these days I dont think the words 'driver' and 'awareness' normally explain the general goings on.

Most people seem to drive around the roads like they're pushing a shopping trolley around Tescos

Too much safety equipment in cars makes certain people think they are untouchable, and as for the MaxPower Gary-Go-Faster mob, they treat it like a Nintendo game unaware of the physics involved/danger to life.

Sad state of affairs.

apache

39,731 posts

291 months

Friday 16th November 2001
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Dave H, I agree, probably one of the main causes for inattention at the wheel, put a 6" steel spike where the airbag is and see what a difference that makes to 'awareness'

marki

15,763 posts

277 months

Friday 16th November 2001
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Good idea Apache , i think the 6" spike would improve some peoples awareness to the risks of driving

jmorgan

36,010 posts

291 months

Friday 16th November 2001
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6" spike? That would be for the shopping list..

DIGGA

41,323 posts

290 months

Friday 16th November 2001
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quote:

6" spike? That would be for the shopping list..



And it could double up as a usefull place for storing your purchases on the way back from the butchers.

Marcus
& Ocean Haze Griff 500

.mark

11,104 posts

283 months

Friday 16th November 2001
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Or you (Ted) could load it with pies, thus enabling you to simply lean forward and munch on your favorite snack with out taking your hands off the wheel

Marshy

2,749 posts

291 months

Friday 16th November 2001
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WARNING: Only consume food from the AutoFeeder[tm] while at a constant speed or accelerating, never under braking.

.mark

11,104 posts

283 months

Friday 16th November 2001
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Marshy:

Sent me home for the weekend with a smile!

jmorgan

36,010 posts

291 months

Friday 16th November 2001
quotequote all
quote:

quote:

6" spike? That would be for the shopping list..



And it could double up as a usefull place for storing your purchases on the way back from the butchers.

Marcus
& Ocean Haze Griff 500



Ah.. the Sunday joint (sounds of a spliff being sparked up) allows you to smoke whilst driving

MattC

266 posts

282 months

Monday 19th November 2001
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Just checked the gov web-site, as my memory generally fails me. I _think_ I'm right about this roundabout business:

www.roads.dtlr.gov.uk/roadsafety/hc/8.htm

162. Signals and position, unless signs or markings indicate otherwise.

*When taking the first exit:
signal left and approach in the left-hand lane.
keep to the left on the roundabout and continue signalling left to leave.

*When taking any intermediate exit:
select the appropriate lane on approach to and on the roundabout, signaling where necessary.
stay in this lane until you need to alter course to exit the roundabout.
signal left after you have passed the exit before the one you want.

*When taking the last exit or going full circle:
signal right and approach in the right-hand lane.
keep to the right on the roundabout until you need to change lanes to exit the roundabout.
signal left after you have passed the exit before the one you want.

When there are more than three lanes at the entrance to a roundabout, use the most appropriate lane on approach and through it.


[I've hacked this about - best to go look at the website!]

So there :P

(Clause 1 surprised me slightly, as it means that if, say, both exits of a roundabout entail turning right, you should indicate LEFT to mean the first one. Not sure I would intuitively do this... but I guess it's pretty rare anyway!)

philshort

8,293 posts

284 months

Monday 19th November 2001
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I've seen quite a few roundabouts where there is only one exit, and it is to the right. Usually happens on new roundabouts built in anticipation of a new road.

Acording to the rules, you should indicate left. Hilarious! Don't think I'll bother with that one.

What I hate is drivers who cut across 2 lanes on a roundabout, then get all arsey when you beep or flash at them to let them know you are there.