Other peoples very irritating driving habits! : <
Posted by: naim_nymph on 20 September 2008
What annoys me most about other peoples bad driving habits is tailgating, or following too closely, especially when it’s dark and the glare of their headlamps are dazzling me though my mirrors… this is one of the worst because of the obvious dangers! : (
However, there is another contender for the most irritating habit, and one that could so easily be avoided…
This also happens at night time or when it’s dark and it happens when you come to a stop at a traffic light or perhaps a road junction and the car in front of you is stationary with all the brake-lights on…
In other words the driver in front has his/her foot pressed on the brake peddle instead of pulling up the hand-brake instead…
I find this illumination of intense bright red light to be very uncomfortable, and in a way very ignorant or disrespectful of the person causing it, especially because it’s not necessary and the proper driving craft is to use the hand-brake.
There is a lot of bad driving out there, some dangerous, some just annoying but the above are only two of many subjects of peoples poor driving skills that irritate me, i could wax-lyrical but what i want to know is...
What are your most upsetting or anger-inducing experiences of other peoples bad driving habits?
nymph ( I.A.M. member since 1996 )
Posted on: 20 September 2008 by BigH47
I had a tirade from the 22 year old know-it-all at work, complaining about the "old gits"(me) that do 30 mph around town and hold him up, talk about an arse. This is the guy that blamed the council for installing a sleeping policeman which he hit at 60 smashing the sump and ripping out his front suspension, what was the s policeman,for you guessed to keep people below 30 mph.
Posted on: 20 September 2008 by nicnaim
The use of four way flashers to park where is convenient for the ignorant lazy twat that cannot walk 20 yards to the cashpoint etc. Don't get me started. I'm an excellent driver me.
nic
Posted on: 20 September 2008 by djftw
quote:
Originally posted by BigH47:
I had a tirade from the 22 year old know-it-all at work, complaining about the "old gits"(me) that do 30 mph around town and hold him up, talk about an arse. This is the guy that blamed the council for installing a sleeping policeman which he hit at 60 smashing the sump and ripping out his front suspension, what was the s policeman,for you guessed to keep people below 30 mph.
What an imbecile. I am now a 23 year old know it all (as of midnight), and people doing the speed limit (like 30mph in town) don't wind me up in the slightest. The "Old Gits" that annoy me are the ones that do 45mph in the 60mph zone and then maintain that speed through the 30mph zone, and I am amazed how many people I see doing this. If you are not comfortable or competent enough to do 60mph when that is the speed limit and it is safe to do so, you should not be on the road - and you sure as hell shouldn't then be going 50% over the speed limit in a built up area...
Posted on: 20 September 2008 by u5227470736789439
I know that I am a terrible driver, so I drive within my capacity and having a 20 year old Volvo 240 no one is surprised by the grandad starts at the lights, or the strict adherance to the prevailing speed limit, almost always, and certainly always if any other vehicle iis visible. I do use the hand-brake at lights and junctions, not the least because the Volvo has exceptionally powerful brake lights.
I also double declutch to save the synchro, and alsorts of old fashioned habits honed on much less capable vehicles.
The Volvo is such an unchallenging motor that no one seems to get upset with me in it, unlike when I owned a Golf, when people really expect me to drive as if it were the GTI version!
Get a Volvo, drive with care and consideration, and everyone gives you a wide birth assuming, correctly in my case, that the driver in an incompetent old duffer.
I have been with the same insurance company - The NFU Mutual since 1980 - and have only made two small claims in the period. I pay just over 150 GBP PA, and know my limits. I have been known to get 80 at night on an empty Motorway, but the old girl gets interstingly twitchy over 70 if the wind is up, so not often.
Passengers easily sleep when I drive. I take this as a compliment.
When the Volvo breaks down permanently, I intend to give up motoring as like the car, I am out of date.
I hope to keep her going till repair is uneconomic!
ATB from George
PS: I never get annoyed by other drivers these days, as I know that they must be better than me!
Posted on: 20 September 2008 by naim_nymph
quote:
Originally posted by djftw:
The "Old Gits" that annoy me are the ones that do 45mph in the 60mph zone and then maintain that speed through the 30mph zone, and I am amazed how many people I see doing this.
This is one of my big niggles too, dj
I commonly get held up by these 'cruisers' doing 45mph on national 60mph limit roads, and when we go though a village 30 and 40 mph zones, they continue doing 45ish. Another thing i find with this type of driver is, on the 60mph roads if you try to overtake them they usually speed right up making it very difficult for you to execute the manoeuvre safely!
If someone ever goes to overtake me, i lift (off the throttle) and make it easier for them.
Anyway, glad to hear you have a wise old head on your young shoulders dj...
... and i hope you have a very
Happy Birthday Today! : )
nymph
Posted on: 20 September 2008 by Cymbiosis
One of the biggest pains I experience is red light jumpers. We seem to have more than our fair share of these idiots in Leicester.
Personally, I'm in favour of more cameras at junctions to try and prevent this very dangerous activity.
Speed cameras on an open road can be a different matter though. For example, on my regular way to work from Northamptonshire to Leicester there is a 40 zone regulated by a camera. IMHO with no junctions on this decent sized country A road I think 60 would be fine.
However in contrast, only 5 miles back along the same road, our village is bypassed by a long straight new section of road, there is a well used pedestrian crossing for a footpath to the reservoir, countryside centre and a childeren's playground. Getting a camera here, where it would be justified, as we get some serious loonies along this strech and yet this is proving difficult! Talking of bad habits.... there are a few regular loonies out on their powerful bikes at the weekend using this stretch of road between two roundabouts two miles apart as a speed test area. Bikes will regularly reach speeds of I guess 140mph and more! Thankfully, you can hear the blighters accelerate from the roundabouts at either end of this straight and so one can take appropriate action when crossing the road!
This is even more irritating than the red light jumpers, and due to the speed involved even more dangerous - An accident (big accident) is just waiting to happen, probably involving pedestrians!
Regards,
Peter
Posted on: 20 September 2008 by naim_nymph
quote:
Originally posted by Cymbiosis:
One of the biggest pains I experience is red light jumpers. We seem to have more than our fair share of these idiots in Leicester.
Hi Peter
I've seen people do this on many an occasion, usually taxi drivers, one of which gave me the cause of executing an emergency stop to avoid collision, another was a woman who was using her mobile phone at the time : (
Couldn't agree more about more cameras at junctions!
nymph
Posted on: 20 September 2008 by naim_nymph
quote:
Originally posted by GFFJ:
...almost always, and certainly always if any other vehicle is visible. I do use the hand-brake at lights and junctions, not the least because the Volvo has exceptionally powerful brake lights.
Thank you, George!
(because i do know what it's like to orbit the Planet Mars!)
quote:
Originally posted by GFFJ:
PS: I never get annoyed by other drivers these days, as I know that they must be better than me!
They must be better than me too!
I must learn this skill of not getting annoyed! : )
nymph
Posted on: 21 September 2008 by BigH47
quote:
Talking of bad habits.... there are a few regular loonies out on their powerful bikes at the weekend using this stretch of road between two roundabouts two miles apart as a speed test area. Bikes will regularly reach speeds of I guess 140mph and more! Thankfully, you can hear the blighters accelerate from the roundabouts at either end of this straight and so one can take appropriate action when crossing the road! Eek This is even more irritating than the red light jumpers, and due to the speed involved even more dangerous - An accident (big accident) is just waiting to happen, probably involving pedestrians!
Sounds like some more entries in the Nice Photos thread.with copies to the local police.
It always amazes me when you hear M/Cyclists going on about the "Idin'tseethems" ie motorists pulling out or moving over on bikes.Should we really have to drive as if a 100mph+ bike is approaching I don't thinks so, but as usual in this world it will always be someone else's fault.
Posted on: 21 September 2008 by scottyhammer
the one thing that does my head in is when you are driving along minding your own business on a clear road with NOTHING behind you when some twat pulls out in front of you then drives about half a mile or less then turns off this road usually without indicating.
this must be the height of ignorance and so unecessary. not a great lover of cyclists that disregard traffic lights either.
Posted on: 21 September 2008 by nap-ster
Middle lane hogsters.
Empty motorway no one else on, they're in the centre lane.
Most speeders I find around town are "baby on board" mothers in people carriers.
Posted on: 21 September 2008 by Cymbiosis
quote:
Originally posted by scottyhammer:
not a great lover of cyclists that disregard traffic lights either.
I do a reasonable amount of cycling too and the thought of jumping a red light I'd never even consider - the height of stupidity. Surely cyclists are supposed to follow the Highway code too! Some of them have a nasty habit of riding on the pavement where thay are not allowed to aswell
The thing is, I've pointed this out to Coppers walking in the same area and they are just not bothered! Too much paperwork I suppose
Posted on: 21 September 2008 by northpole
I take a rather less black and white view on cycling and traffic lights. I cycle daily in central London and when both sets of lights are on red and there are no pedestrians crossing, I will always head off on red. It's simply the safest approach to take in London. My golden rule though is always to stop first and check traffic/ pedestrians.
Peter
Posted on: 21 September 2008 by northpole
One place I am continually pee'd off when driving is on the A1 from Highgate to Archway - the road switches from single lane to dual carriageway and sweeps down hill under 'suicide bridge' closely followed by a gatso. All of this is 30mph restricted but in reality the change from single lane to two lanes is the equivalent of the safety car pulling off an F1 track mid race - people just accelerate for all they are worth and then jump on the brake pedal to make sure they aren't going over 34mph past the camera.
Crazy and completely dangerous for all road users and it drives me mad (as I try to maintain 35mph throughout)
!!
Peter
Posted on: 21 September 2008 by djftw
quote:
Originally posted by scottyhammer:
not a great lover of cyclists that disregard traffic lights either.
Me neither, worse are the ones who ignore pedestrian crossings, or seem to think that if the lights are red for cars then they can go onto the pavement or use a pedestrian crossing. Nor am I a fan of the ones that cycle at night with no lights, or those useless pound shop LED ones that really are not adequate. The culprit is often wearing dark colours, no reflective bits, and no helmet.
The other one with cyclists is road position, especially on country lanes. There have been a number of times where going into a bend at moderate speed I have encountered a very slow cyclist in the middle of the road where they cannot be avoided. I am sure at least one of them would have been dead if I had been someone with slower reactions, someone in an older car with less effective brakes or no ABS, going 10mph faster etc...
Posted on: 21 September 2008 by james n
Fog lights and BMW drivers
James
Posted on: 21 September 2008 by djftw
quote:
Originally posted by Cymbiosis:
Talking of bad habits.... there are a few regular loonies out on their powerful bikes at the weekend using this stretch of road between two roundabouts two miles apart as a speed test area. Bikes will regularly reach speeds of I guess 140mph and more! Thankfully, you can hear the blighters accelerate from the roundabouts at either end of this straight and so one can take appropriate action when crossing the road!
That is insane, I have some friends with a race team, and often 140mph will be the highest speed reached on more challenging tracks, there is absolutely no excuse for doing that on a public road where you might encounter pedestrians.
It may interest you to know that one of their sponsors is a rather interesting motorcycle safety group who have emblazoned "loud pipes save lives" on the side of their sidecar rig. I have to say this is a sentiment I agree with, I almost always hear older bikes before I see them and it gives me that bit of extra time to register that a motor cyclist is about and if necessary respond accordingly. Newer bikes conforming with the government's new noise restrictions quite often just appear behind me! My mirrors are empty one minute, they're there the next. I prefer the warning personally...
Posted on: 21 September 2008 by Officer DBL
quote:
james n
Member
Posted Sun 21 September 2008 14:51 Hide Post
Fog lights and BMW drivers
James
Posted on: 21 September 2008 by Officer DBL
On particularly bad habit over here is the one where people taking a left turn swing the car to the right first - mind you it does serve them right when they try the move on ice or in snow...
Posted on: 21 September 2008 by djftw
quote:
Originally posted by BigH47:
It always amazes me when you hear M/Cyclists going on about the "Idin'tseethems" ie motorists pulling out or moving over on bikes.Should we really have to drive as if a 100mph+ bike is approaching I don't thinks so, but as usual in this world it will always be someone else's fault.
I feel obliged to point out that if you pull out in front of a moving vehicle causing it to have to brake or take evasive action, you are breaking the law irrespective of the speed of said vehicle. They might well also be breaking the law if they are traveling in excess of the speed limit, but you would fail a driving test for doing this, it is carrying out a maneuver without sufficient observation. The government's own figures put the failure of other motorists to observe motorcyclists close to on a par with excess speed by motorcyclists in accident figures. This is why the "Think" campaign focused very heavily on observation, and the theory tests "Hazard Perception" section was introduced as a pass or fail element of the driving test and then made considerably harder, as the government has recognised how many motorists are insufficiently skilled in this respect.
I know there are some poor motorcyclists out there, I think that the direct unrestricted test is largely to blame. All the best motorcyclists I know started off on 50cc scooters and worked their way up. People who wait until they are 22, or even 40+ then do the direct test and get straight onto a powerful bike insufficiently skilled to control one and thinking they are invincible are invariably the ones who wind up dead...
Posted on: 21 September 2008 by Adam Meredith
quote:
Originally posted by BigH47:
It always amazes me when you hear M/Cyclists going on about the "I din't see them" ie motorists pulling out or moving over on bikes.Should we really have to drive as if a 100mph+ bike is approaching I don't thinks so, but as usual in this world it will always be someone else's fault.
I am never surprised at car drivers who make dangerous manoeuvres in front of (not necessarily speeding) motorcyclists but will somehow show enormous caution faced with a lorry at the same distance and travelling at the same speed.
Years ago a writer conducted a casual test. Same journey into work, same time of day. Count the number of apparent "cloak of invisibility" moments. No headlight - headlight on. Small difference.
Then he dressed himself in a passable imitation of a Police Motorcycle Rider - incidents dropped to zero.
Posted on: 21 September 2008 by djftw
Adam's new bike and leathers?
Posted on: 21 September 2008 by northpole
quote:
Adam's new bike and leathers?
In France??!!
Peter
Posted on: 21 September 2008 by Adam Meredith
quote:
Originally posted by djftw:
Adam's new bike and leathers?
For a while I rode my brother's Honda 500-4. This had a silly upright windscreen and appears to have looked like a CHIPS bike.
For bizarre reasons UK drivers used to allow me past on the motorway.
Posted on: 21 September 2008 by 555
quote:
What annoys me most about other peoples bad driving habits is tailgating
Extremely maddening Nymph; my solution is to give my rear window a good clean.
So far this has always resulted in the perp' backing off to a safe distance.
BTW well done for starting a thread that's bound to do good business!
quote:
The "Old Gits" that annoy me are the ones that do 45mph in the 60mph zone
The 60 MPH speed limit is a maximum djfw, not a minimum.
quote:
There have been a number of times where going into a bend at moderate speed I have encountered a very slow cyclist in the middle of the road where they cannot be avoided.
When you go round a bend you are responsible to ensure you can stop in time given the tightness of the bend & visibility. The position of the cyclist may be due to drains or debris at the side of the road.
