Driving etiquette………..
Posted by: Don Atkinson on 27 May 2015
Driving etiquette………..
I drive about 60 miles a day to/from work. I tend to use the dual carriageway trunk roads in the morning and the quiet country roads in the evening.
For some while now, I’ve observed the driving “tactics” of others and myself and wondered what is considered acceptable etiquette in various situations. The scenarios are numerous, so I’ll start with an over-simplified situation……….
For example, four-lane dual carriageway (two lanes each direction) with a National speed limit at 70mph. Long line of relatively slow moving traffic at 57mph in the nearside lane. Lone motorist following at 65mph and obviously catching up the long, slow line. Lone motorist notices that a long line of vehicles in the outside lane, travelling at 70mph are catching up with him. Decision time !
Does etiquette suggest the lone motorist should :-
- Slow down to 57mph, remain in the nearside lane and allow the faster queue to overtake
- Speed-up to 70mph, pull out and overtake the slow line, ie at the head of the fast line
- Pull out at a steady 65mph and maintain this previously selected speed until well clear of the slow line and then give way to the now “not so fast queue” that has built up behind him.
Don, I think I've spotted a flaw: Being male he should be referred to as the father of all stupid cyclists! 
Actually apart from the coffee (hence one hand) and headphones he's entitled to be there, however, it's still not a road I'd choose to cycle along (I also know it).
Huge, Yes I know he has aright to be there, and he is the "father" rather than the "mother" (but that didn't sound right to me) of all stupid cyclists 
, and yes it was Bury's Bank Road.
Like you, I wouldn't choose to cycle this particular road, or attempt the cattle grid on a bike, using one hand !
Whilst unhesitatingly I condemn the idiocy of cyclists not being in full control of their cycles or aware of their surroundings for whatever reason - holding something, overladen, listening to music amongst many other possibilities, I would observe that every cyclist has as much a right to be on every road not formally closed to cyclists as any car driver, and car drivers should remember that. Sadly many don't, and defensive cycling - which includes being assertive at times - is definitely require, hence my criticism re music, which is different from the situation for car drivers purely because of the need to be defensive. If all were equal cyclists would not need to ride that way ( some countries give clear guidance regarding clearance when passing cyclists - that is heeded).
Don, I think I've spotted a flaw: Being male he should be referred to as the father of all stupid cyclists!
Actually apart from the coffee (hence one hand) and headphones he's entitled to be there, however, it's still not a road I'd choose to cycle along (I also know it).
Huge, Yes I know he has aright to be there, and he is the "father" rather than the "mother" (but that didn't sound right to me) of all stupid cyclists , and yes it was Bury's Bank Road.
Like you, I wouldn't choose to cycle this particular road, or attempt the cattle grid on a bike, using one hand !
Whilst unhesitatingly I condemn the idiocy of cyclists not being in full control of their cycles or aware of their surroundings for whatever reason - holding something, overladen, listening to music amongst many other possibilities, I would observe that every cyclist has as much a right to be on every road not formally closed to cyclists as any car driver, and car drivers should remember that. Sadly many don't, and defensive cycling - which includes being assertive at times - is definitely require, hence my criticism re music, which is different from the situation for car drivers purely because of the need to be defensive. If all were equal cyclists would not need to ride that way ( some countries give clear guidance regarding clearance when passing cyclists - that is heeded).
I think when you read my comments above, but in the context of my other posts you will recognise that I understand the current rights of cyclists (in the UK) and far more importantly, that I do my level best to safeguard them from harm by me.
Don, I think I've spotted a flaw: Being male he should be referred to as the father of all stupid cyclists!
Actually apart from the coffee (hence one hand) and headphones he's entitled to be there, however, it's still not a road I'd choose to cycle along (I also know it).
Huge, Yes I know he has aright to be there, and he is the "father" rather than the "mother" (but that didn't sound right to me) of all stupid cyclists , and yes it was Bury's Bank Road.
Like you, I wouldn't choose to cycle this particular road, or attempt the cattle grid on a bike, using one hand !
Whilst unhesitatingly I condemn the idiocy of cyclists not being in full control of their cycles or aware of their surroundings for whatever reason - holding something, overladen, listening to music amongst many other possibilities, I would observe that every cyclist has as much a right to be on every road not formally closed to cyclists as any car driver, and car drivers should remember that. Sadly many don't, and defensive cycling - which includes being assertive at times - is definitely require, hence my criticism re music, which is different from the situation for car drivers purely because of the need to be defensive. If all were equal cyclists would not need to ride that way ( some countries give clear guidance regarding clearance when passing cyclists - that is heeded).
I think when you read my comments above, but in the context of my other posts you will recognise that I understand the current rights of cyclists (in the UK) and far more importantly, that I do my level best to safeguard them from harm by me.
Indeed understood, Don, and I didn't mean to sound as if I suggested otherwise. My point is that far too many motorists regard cyclists as in the way on THEIR road - when it is equally the cyclist's road, and there shouldnt be roads where anyone considers it an unsuitable place for cyclists to be (though cyclists should use wisdom in deciding a route, which would reasonably take account of the risk presented by other road users and the physical road itself, though of course if not local, as apparently the case with the example cited, knowledge of the road could not figure.)