The 'Porsche factor'; and lane discipline.
Discussion
Was out in the Boxster tonight. Was on the A38 heading towards Derby, loping along at 83. Was in lane 2, passing some traffic. Then had to slow for a 4x4 who pulled out to pass without indicating.
As it was 4x4, the lack of indicate didn't surprise me. 4x4 then takes an age to overtake, but as it's a 4x4 I consider it normal and it's not a problem. 4x4 doesn't pull back in for a looong time after passing, but again, it's a 4x4 and i wasn't expecting anything else, at all.
But, even though I guess i shouldn't have been, i was surprised by what happened next: When 4x4 eventually pulled over, and i went past, before i could return to lane 1 he pulled out behind me and began tailgating and flashing his lights. I ignored him and made no reaction whatosever and continued to lope at said 83. After a little bit more of tailgating and flashing he gave up and pulled back.
But what makes people do this? His car was a 60 plate, mine's an 03. His vehicle, even though it's a pick-up truck, must be worth more than mine, surely? And Porsches are as common as muck, so if you're going to dick around with every Porsche you see, you're going to be dicking around every 10 minutes and surely you'd just get bored stiff with it all?
The *only* explanation i can think of is that it was the builder's son. maybe out on his first drive without his dad, who knows? But I still can't help but think: Why?
--
Later on I'm travelling on the M1 South, in the new four lane section south of J28 (IIRC). Now, I experienced those years of roadworks when that section was being built, as indeed i did with the M1 at Luton. I have an idea how much effort went into building that road, how much work, how much money, how much misery the road works with average speed cameras caused, etc etc.
So it's bloody disheartening to see such blatant lane hogging going on. All those people who insist on driving with their front fogs on now insist on hogging lane 3 instead of lane 2, and now keep 2 empty lanes to their left instead of one. How do they get away with it?
I have no idea what effect that wider section has on traffic flow during peak periods, but I do now know that on a Sunday evening lane 1 is still much the quicker lane. Indeed you can undertake with a lane's gap between yourself and the numpty, and when you do happen upon a truck you can move into lane 2 to pass, whilst passing by the line of cars in lane 3.
I KNOW it was never going to be any different from this, but i still consider it bloody depressing.
As it was 4x4, the lack of indicate didn't surprise me. 4x4 then takes an age to overtake, but as it's a 4x4 I consider it normal and it's not a problem. 4x4 doesn't pull back in for a looong time after passing, but again, it's a 4x4 and i wasn't expecting anything else, at all.
But, even though I guess i shouldn't have been, i was surprised by what happened next: When 4x4 eventually pulled over, and i went past, before i could return to lane 1 he pulled out behind me and began tailgating and flashing his lights. I ignored him and made no reaction whatosever and continued to lope at said 83. After a little bit more of tailgating and flashing he gave up and pulled back.
But what makes people do this? His car was a 60 plate, mine's an 03. His vehicle, even though it's a pick-up truck, must be worth more than mine, surely? And Porsches are as common as muck, so if you're going to dick around with every Porsche you see, you're going to be dicking around every 10 minutes and surely you'd just get bored stiff with it all?
The *only* explanation i can think of is that it was the builder's son. maybe out on his first drive without his dad, who knows? But I still can't help but think: Why?
--
Later on I'm travelling on the M1 South, in the new four lane section south of J28 (IIRC). Now, I experienced those years of roadworks when that section was being built, as indeed i did with the M1 at Luton. I have an idea how much effort went into building that road, how much work, how much money, how much misery the road works with average speed cameras caused, etc etc.
So it's bloody disheartening to see such blatant lane hogging going on. All those people who insist on driving with their front fogs on now insist on hogging lane 3 instead of lane 2, and now keep 2 empty lanes to their left instead of one. How do they get away with it?
I have no idea what effect that wider section has on traffic flow during peak periods, but I do now know that on a Sunday evening lane 1 is still much the quicker lane. Indeed you can undertake with a lane's gap between yourself and the numpty, and when you do happen upon a truck you can move into lane 2 to pass, whilst passing by the line of cars in lane 3.
I KNOW it was never going to be any different from this, but i still consider it bloody depressing.
t.The lane-hoggers are becoming a nightmare, but the talk of it 'shutting down lanes' need not be the case. It is, I'm informed, perfectly legal to undertake someone who is not obviously passing any vehicle. In effect, if they're just being a dick and you have more than enough space to pass them on the inside, it's fine. So I do so, usually quite quickly..
As for the sad, sad people who can't bear to see you driving a car they wish they could ever own, the solution is simple. Drop two, floor it
As for the sad, sad people who can't bear to see you driving a car they wish they could ever own, the solution is simple. Drop two, floor it
The state of driving and lane discipline is sending me into a state of madness. I also just don't know why this seems to be an epidemic (yes, that's definitely the right word...epidemic!) in this country alone. It simply doesn't seem to happen to the same extent throughout Europe.
The problem I think is that people don't realise they're doing it and they also don't know that staying in lane 2 or 3 with no cars on the inside is just wrong. To demonstrate this, ask yourself how many times you've driven up behind someone in lane 3, practically barged them out of the way after following them for a period of time with nobody on the lane 2 and then watched them in your rear view mirror as they pull out to continue cruising alone in lane 3, totally oblivious to the fact that what they're doing is wrong. It all comes back to poor education again doesn't it?
Onto the point of the 'Porsche factor', having just recently got my first Porsche I've noticed that the general public really do not like them, or the person driving them! My previous car was an AMG Merc and that drew such positive reactions from people - the odd thumbs up or wave was pleasant if a little embarrassing (for me anyway). In the Porsche I get the impression people just sneer and have a general dislike - well, I'm the same person, drive in the same way so it must be the car!
The problem I think is that people don't realise they're doing it and they also don't know that staying in lane 2 or 3 with no cars on the inside is just wrong. To demonstrate this, ask yourself how many times you've driven up behind someone in lane 3, practically barged them out of the way after following them for a period of time with nobody on the lane 2 and then watched them in your rear view mirror as they pull out to continue cruising alone in lane 3, totally oblivious to the fact that what they're doing is wrong. It all comes back to poor education again doesn't it?
Onto the point of the 'Porsche factor', having just recently got my first Porsche I've noticed that the general public really do not like them, or the person driving them! My previous car was an AMG Merc and that drew such positive reactions from people - the odd thumbs up or wave was pleasant if a little embarrassing (for me anyway). In the Porsche I get the impression people just sneer and have a general dislike - well, I'm the same person, drive in the same way so it must be the car!
On the way back from north Wales today and a woman swerving into lane one caused a load of cars to brake fairly heavily. Passed to see the woman driving on the phone with her kids in the back. Surprising how often you see someone pull something like that then notice theyre on the phone.
On the subject of lane discipline, why is it when Im travelling in lane one at 70 with nothing close infront
or behind do so many drivers floor it past me in lane two then cut across right in front of me for their exit?
As for the agression/stupidity people display toward performance cars, Ive got no idea where it comes from. Always brightens my day when someone driving something a bit special passes whilst giving it some stick
On the subject of lane discipline, why is it when Im travelling in lane one at 70 with nothing close infront
or behind do so many drivers floor it past me in lane two then cut across right in front of me for their exit?
As for the agression/stupidity people display toward performance cars, Ive got no idea where it comes from. Always brightens my day when someone driving something a bit special passes whilst giving it some stick
Edited by Subbeh on Monday 24th January 03:09
heebeegeetee said:
Was out in the Boxster tonight. Was on the A38 ..... loping along at 83. Was in lane 2, passing some traffic. Then had to slow for a 4x4 who pulled out to pass without indicating.
and continued to lope at said 83. After a little bit more of tailgating and flashing he gave up and pulled back.
I guess we must be talking Km/h, right!and continued to lope at said 83. After a little bit more of tailgating and flashing he gave up and pulled back.
I was always under the impression that in traffic on a multi-lane road, if traffic in the outer lanes is moving slower than traffic in the inner lanes, this is not over taking - ie morning rush hour.
By the same reasoning, if the overtaking lanes are "congested", and therefore moving slower than lane 1, by remaining in lane 1 you are not undertaking. It is only undertaking when you come up behind someone in lane 2/3/4, pull to the left, and then accelerate past, especially if there is a significant speed differential or if the maneuver can be deemed aggressive.
If I am in lane 1 and there is traffic in the other lanes I just amble past. If I think there is a possibility that they might move back to their left, from a distance I may (gently) flash my high beams, just so they know I am there.
I am open to be corrected on the legality here. This is just how I see things.
By the same reasoning, if the overtaking lanes are "congested", and therefore moving slower than lane 1, by remaining in lane 1 you are not undertaking. It is only undertaking when you come up behind someone in lane 2/3/4, pull to the left, and then accelerate past, especially if there is a significant speed differential or if the maneuver can be deemed aggressive.
If I am in lane 1 and there is traffic in the other lanes I just amble past. If I think there is a possibility that they might move back to their left, from a distance I may (gently) flash my high beams, just so they know I am there.
I am open to be corrected on the legality here. This is just how I see things.
Sneaky Schnell said:
I was always under the impression that in traffic on a multi-lane road, if traffic in the outer lanes is moving slower than traffic in the inner lanes, this is not over taking - ie morning rush hour.
By the same reasoning, if the overtaking lanes are "congested", and therefore moving slower than lane 1, by remaining in lane 1 you are not undertaking. It is only undertaking when you come up behind someone in lane 2/3/4, pull to the left, and then accelerate past, especially if there is a significant speed differential or if the maneuver can be deemed aggressive.
If I am in lane 1 and there is traffic in the other lanes I just amble past. If I think there is a possibility that they might move back to their left, from a distance I may (gently) flash my high beams, just so they know I am there.
I am open to be corrected on the legality here. This is just how I see things.
As far as I'm aware, you're pretty much spot on there. I actually undertook an OLM in a 4x4 once whilst in full view of the trafpol. Not aggressively mind, just nice and steadily and pulled back into L3. The guy was doing his nut, gave me the main beams a couple of times but I just carried on. I passed the police Range Rover at this point (which was in the middle lane), they glanced across at me as I passed, but didn't do anything. I think that wound the guy in the 4x4 up even more...By the same reasoning, if the overtaking lanes are "congested", and therefore moving slower than lane 1, by remaining in lane 1 you are not undertaking. It is only undertaking when you come up behind someone in lane 2/3/4, pull to the left, and then accelerate past, especially if there is a significant speed differential or if the maneuver can be deemed aggressive.
If I am in lane 1 and there is traffic in the other lanes I just amble past. If I think there is a possibility that they might move back to their left, from a distance I may (gently) flash my high beams, just so they know I am there.
I am open to be corrected on the legality here. This is just how I see things.
"Lane discipline" is a thing of the past. The last nail in its coffin was the birth of the 'average speed camera' which forces drivers to drive in parallel like automatons in a "50", for fear of having to overtake the OAPs doing 40-44 mph in L1 whilst other numpties (who don't understand the concept of an "average") rocket past at 80-90 mph in L2 and/or L3.
It's a given, that most people are stupid and don't know how to drive. The real problem is that for the last 20 years the focus has been on speeding and not good driving. Therefore the public perception is drive how you want as long as you don't speed. This message is so prevalent that numpty vigilante drivers will increase the risk of accident to try and get speeders to slow down (hence the heavy braking/pulling out without indicating etc) incidents that are referenced here daily.
I'd like to see TrafPol pull more people for poor driving, but that means they would have to stop eating doughnuts and discussing who to let into the Free-Masons and actually do something that doesn't bring in income...
I'd like to see TrafPol pull more people for poor driving, but that means they would have to stop eating doughnuts and discussing who to let into the Free-Masons and actually do something that doesn't bring in income...
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff