Driving safely induces more dangerous driving in others.

Jasp · Joined: 09 Mar 2008 Posts: 15

I have had 3 people contravene double white lines to overtake me in as many months, in an area that is littered with signs saying "X casualties in X months" (it is a high accident black spot).

I am starting to doubt whether 'safe' driving' rules apply when you are surrounded by people who absolutely MUST travel at the maximum possible speed regardless of road conditions.

Today someone in a land rover horned me when I was approaching a blind descending bend in a 50 zone, at 40 miles an hour, in the wet. When the corner opened up they proceeded to overtake me whilst crossing double white lines (and horning me in the process).
The average speed for this road is probably 60 miles an hour. If someone had come around the bend not 100 yards in front of where this guy overtook me he might possible be dead now, and so might I.
The point where I slowed was immediately following the point where an electronic SLOW sign had been erected. So it was totally apparent this was a danger spot.

I was rather shocked when this guy horned me because he had a perfect opportunity to overtake me earlier when a 30 zone changed to a 50 and I, as I normally do, paused before picking up speed to check for those in a hurry. He made no attempt to overtake, and was keeping a good distance. So instead of doing a sensible overtake he finds the very worst place to do so and commits an offence in the process.

Given that any danger I might have avoided by traveling at a safer speed was completely negated by the actions of someone behind me, would it be better to travel faster, knowing indeed that I could not have stopped if there was an obstruction?

I wish I knew the details of the high number of accidents in this area. If the accidents were mainly caused by people being on the wrong side of the road, then I might know what action I should take here. There have never been any tailbacks that I've seen. There are no houses. The only hazard is lots and lots of bends. (and perhaps the odd deer in the road)

I mean I doubt a court in the land would ever say that a contributing factor in an accident was a vehicle traveling at 10 MPH below the speed limit, but I know that I personally have been the catalyst for a lot of HIGHLY dangerous driving.

Safe driving would be great in an ideal world but when the people around you have completely different goals (travel as fast as you can without being prosecuted) when do you have to consider the bigger picture?

Oddball · Joined: 06 Apr 2008 Posts: 46 Location: West Wilts

In my current state of mind (quite reckless really, my depression has flared up again) I'd say that no - if anything drive more carefully than you would do in the first place to account for the others' mistakes. If they want to put themselves in danger then let them (yes I know, not a good attitude to have).

I don't feel it's a responsibility as an AD to babysit other road users (again I realise this isn't a good attitude) - but to help other motorists, while maintaining good progress and all the other stuff you guys know about and don't need me to repeat.

On another day I may be more 'advanced driver' like (sorry, can't think of good adjective).

Sorry about the lameness of my reply.

Gareth · Joined: 15 Apr 2006 Posts: 1078 Location: Berkshire

ScoobyChris · Joined: 01 May 2006 Posts: 969 Location: Andover, Hants

I think the thing to try and do in these circumstances is analyse why the situation arose and see if there are any common factors or clues which might help identify it earlier in the future. You are in control of the situation to a degree and where someone overtakes you in a dangerous spot, can opt to use your brakes to create space for them to get back in as quickly as possible (minimising the risk to both of you).

I'm not familiar with the road, etc, but I'm wondering if 3 people have chosen to overtake, whether the chosen speed may be over-cautious and it is possible to travel faster while still retaining a good safety margin?

Chris

7db · Joined: 06 Apr 2006 Posts: 1595 Location: London

Use your Jedi mind tricks to help the guy past you. It's a good habit to develop in any case -- spot the faster vehicles and choose where you want them to pass, and encourage them to do it safely there.

Jasp · Joined: 09 Mar 2008 Posts: 15

Jack Russell · Joined: 13 Aug 2006 Posts: 102 Location: East Barnet

Jasp · Joined: 09 Mar 2008 Posts: 15

ROG · Joined: 08 Oct 2006 Posts: 870 Location: LEICESTER

Probably going to get slated for this but this is my take on the difference between advanced and the average driver.
The advanced driver plans ahead and KNOWS it is safe.
The average driver just reacts and THINKS it is safe.
The only way to address the balance would be to have more training and an attitude/beliefs change for a lot of average drivers and as there is not a current substancial financial advantage for them to do so, it aint gonna happen.
Recognising the above gives us an edge in which to 'cope' with the average driver IMO.
_________________
Roger Ewens
Civilian Advanced Driver
Senior Observer
Leicester Group of Advanced Motorists
UNEMPLOYED LGV instructor

Gareth · Joined: 15 Apr 2006 Posts: 1078 Location: Berkshire

Jasp · Joined: 09 Mar 2008 Posts: 15

martine · Joined: 17 Oct 2005 Posts: 1234 Location: Bristol, UK

Jasp,

I know exactly what you mean and there are other threads describing your worry exactly (from me and others).

As others have said: try not to let it get to you - they are in the wrong both morally and legally - stick to what you know is right and try and assist others to get past in a safe way if you can. Don't let the buggers drag your standard of driving down!

One thought: you don't suppose the horn was an informative 'beware I'm overtaking' not a rebuke do you? No I don't suppose so either but...

I had someone tailgating me in L2 on a dual-carriagweay recently. I was leaving a reasonable gap in front of me and we were all overtaking a continuous stream of slower lorries etc. I found myself sub-consciously closing the gap to the car in front because of the 'pressure' from behind. Sad

After a while I recognised this and thought it best to move over to let her hassle the car in front - which she did immediately Shocked

Result: she was in front and less of a threat to me, my driving karma returned and all was well with the world.

Lesson: I should have recognised this earlier and 'managed' the situation.
_________________
Martin - Bristol IAM Group Senior Observer and Secretary.

Jasp · Joined: 09 Mar 2008 Posts: 15

golf_driver · Joined: 11 May 2008 Posts: 40

Hi Jasp,

I'm obviously not qualified to comment from an advanced driving perspective, although I must admit what you did sounds pretty much like what I would have done...

Well, apart from the hand signals I might have utilized Wink

But I know that's not very advanced driverly...lol

I suppose the way I would look it at would be, I guess ultimately regardless of how many opportunities you've previously given someone, if they're going to overtake you on a bend or anywhere dangerous, they're going to do it.

I guess all you can do is to keep good observation and positioning, which it sounds like you did and then to assist their progress back into your lane. Althought that's just an average drivers point of view! As you say, it sounds like a bit of a dangerous spot, had you been pressured into going into the bend faster than you thought was a good idea, given the available grip, profile of the bend, visibility, etc, then it might well have been you ending up in a ditch while they sail past. At the end of the day, you've got to look out for number one, right?

Jasp · Joined: 09 Mar 2008 Posts: 15

If anyone wants to know about the A4074:

"Britain's deadliest road: the 13 bends of death"
http://driving.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/driving/features/article716874.ece