Keep DEATH off the Roads
Posted by: Steve Toy on 05 December 2004
It's December, the month for a greater number of drink-drivers who drive slowly and erratically, ocasionally getting in my way while I ferry punters around the countryside of Mid-Staffordshire and beyond.
Whilst I will never condone drink-driving, most of those who take the risk of getting behind the wheel of a car after a few drinks tend to keep a low profile, drive to the speed limit or below, and just let you overtake them when a safe opportunity arises...
I was given a job on Saturday night to pick up an elderly couple from a hotel in a neighbouring town at 11.30 pm. Wishing to be as punctual as possible under these circumstances I put my foot down a bit on the open road - a straight stretch of road nearly a mile long across Cannock Chase with good visibility. I came upon a car travelling at less than 50mph in this 60mph zone and overtook it without incident.
My speed probably nudged the 70 mark before I came upon a second vehicle a couple of hundred yards further up the road, also travelling below 50 mph. There was still enough straight road in front of me and still nothing was coming the other way, so I attempted to overtake this vehicle - a silver R-registration Corsa with blacked-out windows and an oversized tailpipe...
As I accelerated and pulled alongside him I soon became aware that he had also started to accelerate. I quickly realised that I couldn't out-accelerate him, and I could now see the headlamps of an approaching car in the distance. I glanced at my speedometer and its reading was just above 80, so I aborted my overtaking manoeuvre and took my foot off the accelerator with the intention of pulling in behind him. I've met idiots who can't stand being overtaken before, but this particular specimen went one stage further...
Having proved that he could out-accelerate me in his hot hatch, he then attempted to prove that he could out-brake me, and he effectively pinned me in the outside lane in the face of an on-coming vehicle.
At this point I started to panic a little and just stood on my brakes. As my speed dropped to around 30mph we were still neck-and-neck with the oncoming vehicle looming ever closer.
Finally, given that the Skoda Octavia I drive is equipped with disc brakes all round, I managed to out-brake him and pull in behind, with seconds to go before impact with the oncoming vehicle. Once I was safely behind him he sped back up to just under 50 mph.
I waited a few seconds before briefly switching on my main beams in order to see his rear number plate more clearly (it was partly covered in salt from the road). He promptly switched on his rear foglamps before slowing down to 40 mph.
As we entered a 30 mph zone his speed dropped to a little over 20 mph and he began gently weaving slightly across the central white lines.
I finally lost him at the next set of traffic lights, and I was 9 minutes late picking up the elderly couple who were waiting outside in the cold. They were very sympathetic when I told them what had happened.
I want to report the incident to the police, but as there were no witnesses I guess I'd be wasting my time - and theirs.
I'm aware that in the event of surviving a head-on collision under such circumstances, I'd more-than-likely be charged with reckless driving as my version of events would be highly implausible.
I welcome your comments chaps.
Regards,
Steve.
PS: As a rule I don't overtake vehicles that are already travelling at or above the posted speed limit on single-carriageway roads.
[This message was edited by Steve Toy on Mon 06 December 2004 at 5:58.]
Whilst I will never condone drink-driving, most of those who take the risk of getting behind the wheel of a car after a few drinks tend to keep a low profile, drive to the speed limit or below, and just let you overtake them when a safe opportunity arises...
I was given a job on Saturday night to pick up an elderly couple from a hotel in a neighbouring town at 11.30 pm. Wishing to be as punctual as possible under these circumstances I put my foot down a bit on the open road - a straight stretch of road nearly a mile long across Cannock Chase with good visibility. I came upon a car travelling at less than 50mph in this 60mph zone and overtook it without incident.
My speed probably nudged the 70 mark before I came upon a second vehicle a couple of hundred yards further up the road, also travelling below 50 mph. There was still enough straight road in front of me and still nothing was coming the other way, so I attempted to overtake this vehicle - a silver R-registration Corsa with blacked-out windows and an oversized tailpipe...
As I accelerated and pulled alongside him I soon became aware that he had also started to accelerate. I quickly realised that I couldn't out-accelerate him, and I could now see the headlamps of an approaching car in the distance. I glanced at my speedometer and its reading was just above 80, so I aborted my overtaking manoeuvre and took my foot off the accelerator with the intention of pulling in behind him. I've met idiots who can't stand being overtaken before, but this particular specimen went one stage further...
Having proved that he could out-accelerate me in his hot hatch, he then attempted to prove that he could out-brake me, and he effectively pinned me in the outside lane in the face of an on-coming vehicle.
At this point I started to panic a little and just stood on my brakes. As my speed dropped to around 30mph we were still neck-and-neck with the oncoming vehicle looming ever closer.
Finally, given that the Skoda Octavia I drive is equipped with disc brakes all round, I managed to out-brake him and pull in behind, with seconds to go before impact with the oncoming vehicle. Once I was safely behind him he sped back up to just under 50 mph.
I waited a few seconds before briefly switching on my main beams in order to see his rear number plate more clearly (it was partly covered in salt from the road). He promptly switched on his rear foglamps before slowing down to 40 mph.
As we entered a 30 mph zone his speed dropped to a little over 20 mph and he began gently weaving slightly across the central white lines.
I finally lost him at the next set of traffic lights, and I was 9 minutes late picking up the elderly couple who were waiting outside in the cold. They were very sympathetic when I told them what had happened.
I want to report the incident to the police, but as there were no witnesses I guess I'd be wasting my time - and theirs.
I'm aware that in the event of surviving a head-on collision under such circumstances, I'd more-than-likely be charged with reckless driving as my version of events would be highly implausible.
I welcome your comments chaps.
Regards,
Steve.
PS: As a rule I don't overtake vehicles that are already travelling at or above the posted speed limit on single-carriageway roads.
[This message was edited by Steve Toy on Mon 06 December 2004 at 5:58.]
An alternative view?
'I was just popping home from bridge club in my grandsons car when this big Skoda came up right behind me. He'd just zoomed past the chap following me and must have been doing 70 when he came hurtling up on my tail and tried to pass. I put me foot down, well you would wouldn't you, but he still tried to overtake. I bottled out because I could see somebody coming and hit the brakes, bugger is that so did he! We nearly ended up side by side with this car still coming on the other side. Fair shook us up I can tell you, drove pretty shakily for a bit after that. Hope the guy is alright. Mind you if he stuck to the limit it wouldn't have happened. I mean, late at night, December revellers on the road etc it's not safe is it? Best to set off early I reckon rather than be rushing isn't it.'
By the way Spud, your Grandpa and i did enjoy that Emanate chap on the stereo. Bangin!
Bruce
'I was just popping home from bridge club in my grandsons car when this big Skoda came up right behind me. He'd just zoomed past the chap following me and must have been doing 70 when he came hurtling up on my tail and tried to pass. I put me foot down, well you would wouldn't you, but he still tried to overtake. I bottled out because I could see somebody coming and hit the brakes, bugger is that so did he! We nearly ended up side by side with this car still coming on the other side. Fair shook us up I can tell you, drove pretty shakily for a bit after that. Hope the guy is alright. Mind you if he stuck to the limit it wouldn't have happened. I mean, late at night, December revellers on the road etc it's not safe is it? Best to set off early I reckon rather than be rushing isn't it.'
By the way Spud, your Grandpa and i did enjoy that Emanate chap on the stereo. Bangin!
Brucequote:
I put me foot down, well you would wouldn't you, but he still tried to overtake. I bottled out because I could see somebody coming and hit the brakes,
You're kidding, right?
There is one little detail I've kept back until now: just after we entered the 30 mph zone he accelerated away from me, probably up to about 50 mph before hitting his brakes. I doubt an old codger would do that.
Regards,
Steve.
quote:
I have just reported the incident to the police. Given that I have no independent witness, they can do nothing other than keep a record
Do you live in the Met area then?
I am amazed that they won't even speak with the person concerned. In Notts they
would (and should, I might add!)No wonder you feel dissolusioned, steve.
andy c!
Thanks for the words of support chaps 
I've heard agent provocateur stories of coppers in unmarked vehicles deliberately inciting drivers to speed in this way.
As a fairly experienced driver who often has to contend with tailgaiters, I'd never increase my speed in an attempt to get away from them, and by the same token I'd never tailgate a slow driver in an attempt to speed them up. Experience tells me that in both cases it simply doesn't have the desired effect.
I'd certainly prefer to be tailgated at 40 mph than 105 mph...
If you are being tailgated you need to double your stopping distance between you and the vehicle infront (if there is one.) Next you just touch your brake pedal. If you don't wish to reduce your speed at all you can even do this with your left foot just enough to activate the brake-light switch without actually engaging the brakes themselves.
If this doesn't have the desired effect, you then take your foot off the accelerator and allow your speed to drop very gently ( as much as whip-lash injuries can result in very lucrative claims you just don't want to take such a risk to your long term health.)
Allow your speed to drop as low as, say 40 mph and then accelerate away. If the arse-hogger gets the message by now then fine. If not, hit your brakes a bit harder.
Regarding our agent provocateur friends, I'd have accepted the 95mph ticket, and having safely deposited it in my glovebox I'd then have asked for their warrant numbers and threatened them with a complaint of perverting the course of justice - given that my actual speed was 105 mph. (I guess that they'd have to supply evidence as to my actual speed, and this would be at odds somewhat with the recorded speed indicated on the ticket now in my glovebox.)
I'd also threaten to make a formal complaint of entrapment.
Regards,
Steve.
[This message was edited by Steve Toy on Tue 07 December 2004 at 0:53.]
quote:
Once in the ouside lane, I checked the rear view mirror again and I was surprised to see two shoulders. A car had sprung into position behind me and was so close that all I could see was the right-hand shoulder of the passenger and the left of the driver.
The family were in the car with me. I was quite concerned. If anything goes wrong there is going to be an accident.
I couldn't pull over because of the line of slower vehicles in the middle lane. But there was a gap about six or more cars ahead. I wanted to get away from the idiot behind me. I couldn't slow down because I was afraid the tail-gater would run into me.
I've heard agent provocateur stories of coppers in unmarked vehicles deliberately inciting drivers to speed in this way.
As a fairly experienced driver who often has to contend with tailgaiters, I'd never increase my speed in an attempt to get away from them, and by the same token I'd never tailgate a slow driver in an attempt to speed them up. Experience tells me that in both cases it simply doesn't have the desired effect.
I'd certainly prefer to be tailgated at 40 mph than 105 mph...
If you are being tailgated you need to double your stopping distance between you and the vehicle infront (if there is one.) Next you just touch your brake pedal. If you don't wish to reduce your speed at all you can even do this with your left foot just enough to activate the brake-light switch without actually engaging the brakes themselves.
If this doesn't have the desired effect, you then take your foot off the accelerator and allow your speed to drop very gently ( as much as whip-lash injuries can result in very lucrative claims you just don't want to take such a risk to your long term health.)
Allow your speed to drop as low as, say 40 mph and then accelerate away. If the arse-hogger gets the message by now then fine. If not, hit your brakes a bit harder.
Regarding our agent provocateur friends, I'd have accepted the 95mph ticket, and having safely deposited it in my glovebox I'd then have asked for their warrant numbers and threatened them with a complaint of perverting the course of justice - given that my actual speed was 105 mph. (I guess that they'd have to supply evidence as to my actual speed, and this would be at odds somewhat with the recorded speed indicated on the ticket now in my glovebox.)
I'd also threaten to make a formal complaint of entrapment.
Regards,
Steve.
[This message was edited by Steve Toy on Tue 07 December 2004 at 0:53.]
I think it's impotent to keep a digi cam,era at hand, if nuffink else the flash gets em worried, innit.
Fritz Der Flasher
Fritz Der Flasher