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.]
quote:
The Roadcraft method is clearly impossible on a motorbike, so I don't see that it can be a safety issue.
I did my advanced driver training in Ford Granadas, Vauxhall Senators, Sierra Cosworths and 4x4's etc.
I didn't do them on a bike. I do hold a full bike licence tho, and did downshift whilst braking, but didn't engage the engine until I'd braked enough then to engage the correct gear. I'm not sure what roadcraft suggests for this but I'll ask someone who did do the advanced on a bike, and get back to you.
The ironic thing about this way of driving is that, if you do it right, it makes you smoother and infact speeds up your driving process, therefore seeming to make things safer. (If you know what I mean).
The querstion on reduced visibility is answered the same, by treating the reduced visibility as a hazard, and reducing speed accordingly so you can stop in the distance you can see to be clear. With todays congestion, and also the attitude of some drivers, this proves nearly impossible to do sometimes.
regards
andy c!
blythe,
Err, no. My car would never be going that slowly unless behind another slow-moving vehicle.
The above reg is for the chavmobile.
The taxi is on a 51 plate - no taxi where I work can be more than 6 years old unless it's a cab.
Regards,
Steve.
Err, no. My car would never be going that slowly unless behind another slow-moving vehicle.
The above reg is for the chavmobile.
The taxi is on a 51 plate - no taxi where I work can be more than 6 years old unless it's a cab.
Regards,
Steve.
Although my driving instructor taught me not to change down while braking, I have done so ever since the day I passed my test because having the right gear for your speed gives you more control. I haven't yet heard a convincing argument that the taught method is better.
In fact, I don't recall seeing many people driving in the prescribed manner but those I have seen have tended to drift along with the clutch in before changing down - hardly safe!
In fact, I don't recall seeing many people driving in the prescribed manner but those I have seen have tended to drift along with the clutch in before changing down - hardly safe!
I couldn't help hitting a roller gently up the arse once in icy conditions on a minor road in the dark, the guy got out, gave me a score and said forget it >John, stunk of brandy he did !
Fritz Von realworld innit
Fritz Von realworld innit
One of the most interesting exercises. One that endlessly hones your driving skills. Is always staying on your own side of the white line. And doing so on every road and every corner. No matter how narrow or twisting.
Many seem to think that cutting every corner and using all the road makes them a racing driver. I can often leave much faster cars with average drivers standing. By driving round each corner as if on rails. While they are cutting huge chunks off the opposite lane and losing 20 yards on every corner into the bargain. But give them a straight (even in a speed restricted village) and they suddenly become world-class drivers.
Nime
Many seem to think that cutting every corner and using all the road makes them a racing driver. I can often leave much faster cars with average drivers standing. By driving round each corner as if on rails. While they are cutting huge chunks off the opposite lane and losing 20 yards on every corner into the bargain. But give them a straight (even in a speed restricted village) and they suddenly become world-class drivers.
Nime
quote:
Originally posted by Nime:
One of the most interesting exercises. One that endlessly hones your driving skills. Is always staying on your own side of the white line. And doing so on every road and every corner. No matter how narrow or twisting.
Many seem to think that cutting every corner and using all the road makes them a racing driver. I can often leave much faster cars with average drivers standing. By driving round each corner as if on rails. While they are cutting huge chunks off the opposite lane and losing 20 yards on every corner into the bargain. But give them a straight (even in a speed restricted village) and they suddenly become world-class drivers.
Nime
Sorry, Nime,
I'm not sure what your point is, but you're wrong. Using both sides of the road massively improves your vision through the corner, giving you advanced warning of hazards - stationary vehicles etc. It's not about maximum cornering speed, in fact, cornering at normal speed on the wide line reduces the cornering force on the car, thereby reducing the risk of skidding.
Brian OReilly
Brian, good point well put
andy c!
andy c!
quote:
Originally posted by Steve Toy:
blythe,
Err, no. My car would never be going that slowly unless behind another slow-moving vehicle.
The above reg is for the chavmobile.
The taxi is on a 51 plate - no taxi where I work can be more than 6 years old unless it's a cab.
Regards,
Steve.
Sorry Steve, after posting, I realised that you probably meant the Chav.........
I'll keep an eye open and run the b'stard off the road
Computers are supposed to work on 1's and 0's - in other words "Yes" or "No" - why does mine frequently say "Maybe"?......
Would anyone care to speculate on the likelihood of a conviction for spelling out one's own driving misdemenours on a public forum?
Quote: "Honest guv! I were only doin' 'ba't 80. Corse I never looks at me bleedin speedo anyways. 'Less I've got me foot raht down like. Know what I mean like? 'Cus I ain't no bleedin' chav! See?"
BTW: Is the repeated use of the term "chav" a racial insult? Or a class-based derogatory term?
Nime
Quote: "Honest guv! I were only doin' 'ba't 80. Corse I never looks at me bleedin speedo anyways. 'Less I've got me foot raht down like. Know what I mean like? 'Cus I ain't no bleedin' chav! See?"
BTW: Is the repeated use of the term "chav" a racial insult? Or a class-based derogatory term?
Nime
quote:
Originally posted by John Sheridan:
I have a dream of driving a tank.
Now that's a dream I can empathise with.
But are we allowed live ammunition?
Nime