You know there's also 'common sense' that humans have when equipped with a brain? "Oh dear I'm going so fast I'm scared I'll crash" Not so smart is it?

I do wonder if a lot of drivers are thrill seekers and especially boy racers are out to impress rather than to get from A to B. I suspect that a bit of perceived competition on the road gives people tunnel vision to do whatever it takes to prove they are better and win the "race". Trouble is the more they push, the more likely they'll be to be caught out.

When I was young and stupid, I decided to brake test a tailgater on a single carriageway NSL road. He'd been following way too close and weaving to the left and right which was making me feel pressured and I'd had enough. It seems that at the point at which I dabbed the brakes, he opted to overtake but because he was so close to my car he ended up steering wildly to get round me and lifting off the throttle. This resulted in him fishtailing a couple of times before eventually losing it and sliding/spinning down a shallow bank into the grassy central reservation. Kind of shook me up and made me realise the implications my actions could cause.

Don Palmer sums it up nicely in his Driving book. Your interactions with people around you have a direct affect on them, whether you mean to or not, and one of the goals of effective driving is to have "effective and positive transactions with other road users".

Chris

I do wonder if a lot of drivers are thrill seekers and especially boy racers are out to impress rather than to get from A to B. I suspect that a bit of perceived competition on the road gives people tunnel vision to do whatever it takes to prove they are better and win the "race". Trouble is the more they push, the more likely they'll be to be caught out.

From Tom's recount of the situation, I'd guess this is 100% correct. But still; from my point of view, this was the drivers choice/mindset and his fault. As I said; there is always an alternative.

Don Palmer sums it up nicely in his Driving book. Your interactions with people around you have a direct affect on them, whether you mean to or not, and one of the goals of effective driving is to have "effective and positive transactions with other road users".

Interactions, like communication, work both ways. You must know how to give and receive. You can't control these 'transactions' that other road users give to you, only how you react to them. And mastering that (along with trying to only give positive 'transactions') should be your main concern?

must admit,with the amount of points i have(down to 9 now!!!)i leave my competative,fast driving for the track,i NEVER feel pressured into driving faster than i want to,tho over the course of the week many people try to,and 99%of the time i stick to every speed limit,i have found the most effective way to deal with a tailgater is at a convenient straight bit of road indicate left and back off the throttle,contrary to popular belief,it doesn't make you less of a man:D

Interactions, like communication, work both ways. You must know how to give and receive. You can't control these 'transactions' that other road users give to you, only how you react to them. And mastering that (along with trying to only give positive 'transactions') should be your main concern?

It's *a* goal of being an effective driver. Plenty of other things to worry about - Don Palmer's Driving Handbook! I agree you can't control these transactions, but by managing them in a positive way you will minimise their implications.

Gary's is an excellent example which removes the tailgater by yielding. They're happy because they have clear road and you're happy because you've removed them from your environment. Everyone's a winner.

Chris

Blimey this has turned into a right mass debate hasnt it..............

A bit of discussion,

I agree, whilst not tailgating, my driving probably was intimidating... saying that though, he started it :P

Regardless of blame it doesn't hurt to be a good citizen. If I'd have driven off, no doubt he'd of though I was a right ****, whereas because I stayed to help it was just laughed off...

They are undercover cars and if you are within the law you will never even notice them unless you are activly looking for them.

I heard from people who have experienced unmarked police cars egging them on by bumper hugging and other techniques to get them to floor it for the coppers only then to put the blues on.

And of course the police would never set anybody up would they

TGranted, I'd still stop. It would be rather stupid/rude not to.

I'd love to have this guy if he needed any help .....

BBC NEWS | England | Kent | Road rage killer could go free

I heard from people who have experienced unmarked police cars egging them on by bumper hugging and other techniques to get them to floor it for the coppers only then to put the blues on.

And of course the police would never set anybody up would they

Well tbh if they do you could just plead entrapment and the police videos etc would show it. Case dismissed as that isn't legal

It was me that said its not the persons fault they got intimidated.

I have had someone go up my bumper and attempt to intimidate me.

This Merc was doing 35 in a 40 zone and I settled in behind when the 2 lanes became one. Then it became a 30 zone so I slowed and so did the Merc in front

except he pulled in to the left after the speed cam then after I passed him he went up my bumper expecting me to floor it or something.

I stuck at 30 and he did eventually turn off.

I have felt intimidated but by giving in and taking action I am potentially being more dangerous.

Funnily enough the nervous drivers who can't reach 50 up the A5 aren't the most annoying I find - it's the unpredictable ones you really have to look out for. Like the Merc tonight who was pottering one minute, then blasting off into the distance the next. On a straight 60 limit in rush hour you just want everyone to plod along at a decent clip, not constantly keep you guessing.

As for being 'intimidating' - I've started to get in sync with a Megane on the way home most nights. Problem is this driver rarely exceeds 40....there aren't many great overtaking places but my instinctive reaction now on seeing this car is to go for it at the earliest opportunity because I know I'll have ten minutes of teeth knashing to endure if I don't. Writing it down makes it sound trivial (and impatient) even to me, but at the end of a working day it's frustration I can do without.

No I know exactly how frustrating it is to be stuck behind a 40 everywhere person in an NSL after having them up your chuff in a 30. That is what a nice clear straight, a corner exit with good visibility and a nice turbo are for

I was just a bit shocked by some of the attitudes voiced on here.

I'm bad for this - I don't do over 30 in a 30. Once I get to the NSL signs it's boot it in 3rd. Not many keep up with me then :eek::eek::D:D

Even in a slow petrol Octy :P:P:P

I've gotta admit, it doesn't happen to me as often though these days. When I first got the Fabia a year ago it was all the time....motorways, 30 zones, 40 zones, you name it. Also, oddly enough lots and lots of women were doing it. They'd sit reeeet up my back end in their little hairdressers cars (MR2/ Celica/ MGZF) and weren't even put off by me dabbing the brake pedal and slowing down to hint that my back end is closer than they think...they just got even closer.

Trouble is they didn't learn after getting 'smoked' either. They catch me up at the next 30 zone or whatever and do the same again. Stupid.

...Writing it down makes it sound trivial (and impatient) even to me, but at the end of a working day it's frustration I can do without.

I agree with you, I use the A5183 which is the A5 but the otherside of the M1 and it's always full of the 40mph brigade even though it's posted at NSL. Although not dead straight like the A5 it's still capable to comfortably (and safely) drive at 60mph down there yet continuously there's a whole stream of traffic stuck behind a 40-everywhere driver. The problem probably comes from the fact they don't know the speed limit so play safe and stick to 40.

Forunately I drive a Fabia so I always overtake them up-hill and in gear

(like a king)

The problem probably comes from the fact they don't know the speed limit so play safe and stick to 40.

You might have something there, do these fools know what the NSL sign means?

(like a king)

I feel the same

Is it me or does nobody else use the left hand lane on 2 lane roads ?

Well tbh if they do you could just plead entrapment and the police videos etc would show it. Case dismissed as that isn't legal

You'd think that wouldn't you, but apparantly judgements have gone against the member of the public because "they should not react, drive to the nearest police station, and report the other party", great when you don't know where you are :(

Is it me or does nobody else use the left hand lane on 2 lane roads ?

I do.

To 'over'take the slow moving b&stard in the outside lane

:sofahide:

He he! :-) Very true mattandy!

One of the reasons I got rid of my Vrs was because to many people wanted to race, sometimes I took the bate but other times I saw sense. I like to stick to the speed limits but drivers were expecting me to drive faster and a few times I just pulled over and let them passed, but yes it was great to put my foot down and see them disappear:rofl:. Since I swapped the Vrs for the 1.9TDI estate I have noticed less tailgater's. It is better to be a few mins late then never to arrive at all.

It is better to be a few mins late then never to arrive at all.

Defo the quote of 2007 I totally agree

Funnily enough the nervous drivers who can't reach 50 up the A5 aren't the most annoying I find - it's the unpredictable ones you really have to look out for. Like the Merc tonight who was pottering one minute, then blasting off into the distance the next. On a straight 60 limit in rush hour you just want everyone to plod along at a decent clip, not constantly keep you guessing.

As for being 'intimidating' - I've started to get in sync with a Megane on the way home most nights. Problem is this driver rarely exceeds 40....there aren't many great overtaking places but my instinctive reaction now on seeing this car is to go for it at the earliest opportunity because I know I'll have ten minutes of teeth knashing to endure if I don't. Writing it down makes it sound trivial (and impatient) even to me, but at the end of a working day it's frustration I can do without.

I have the exact (well similar it is a Ford KA) She drives at 30 everywhere and when the road becomes NSL yep 30 but it is twisty and double whites so stuck and my thirty mile drive takes yes an hour unless I and the other forty cars behind can pass,

So it has become first opportunity, the worst was on a foggy evening then she drops to eight (EIGHT MPH) The drive home then takes four hours

(only knowing the road for thirty years allowed me to pass with trepadition)

I have stopped, spoken to her and advised she maybe better taking the bus

though she is still there face up against the windscreen glasses on forehead

National

You don't need to go above the speed limit to have fun IMO. Get up to the limit as fast as you can. You can see all the cars disappear behind you and when they catch you up you know they only did because they are speeding, and it's not like you *can't* speed if you wanted to. You just got up to speed quicker

I wonder how these 40mph wonders pass driving tests. When I did my test it was all about getting up to speed, but not going over the speed limit and driving safely. My understanding is that doing 40 in a clear NSL dual carriageway = fail because you're not getting up to speed.

It is better to be a few mins late then never to arrive at all.

:iagree:

My understanding is that doing 40 in a clear NSL dual carriageway = fail because you're not getting up to speed.

:iagree:

:eek: People agreeing with each other all over the place! What's going on?