Straight-lining bends

[jonw]

I've read a bit about this on a previous post, but wondered if someone could clarify exactly what is meant by the phrase.

Are we referring to straigtening out a bend (or sequence of bends) by using the full width of our side of the road, or are we talking about crossing the centre line of the road if it's safe to do so in order to straigten out a bend even further?

In either case, what is the consensus of opinion on this topic? I suspect the DSA would tell you to retain your "normal" driving position of approximately 1 metre away from the side of the road, but do the IAM/Rospa advocate anything different?

[martine]

I suspect the DSA would tell you to retain your "normal" driving position of approximately 1 metre away from the side of the road, but do the IAM/Rospa advocate anything different?

DSA recommend moving to the left on r/h bends but normal (i.e. centre of your lane) position for l/h...which doesn't sound unreasonable to me for advice aimed at inexperienced drivers.

In the latest IAM book given to all Skill for Life Associates: 'Advanced Driving - the essential guide'...in the chapter in Cornering (P69) it says:

"... don't cross the white line or hit cat's eyes unless you have excellent visibility throught the corner".

Sound sensible to me and shows the IAM does allow off-siding - despite what many think.

[Standard Dave]

I suspect most civilian driving organisations would normally require you to say on "your" side of the road.

This give two meanings to using the whole width of the road, using the whole width of the lane which I dare say is what most "advanced" drivers are taught to do.
Those with further training from emergency service or higher levels of advanced driving will use as much of the road as is safe to do so within what you can see round the bends or across the bends.

There are sets of bends on the Lincolnshire fens where you have a cross view across several S and Z bends which allow you to take the "racing" line and also to exicute overtakes in and on the immediate exit of the bends.

[ScoobyChris]

I suspect most civilian driving organisations would normally require you to say on "your" side of the road.

My experience for cars is that it is not encouraged by the groups (or taught by the majority of tutors/observers) but the examiners like it, if it's done well and there is a benefit in doing it.

Chris

[GJD]

I think when people talk about straight-lining they generally mean crossing the centre-line. My understanding of the RoSPA position (based only on my experience of being coached and doing the test) is that such straight-lining is not advocated at all but if you were to do it on test your examiner would judge the individual case on its merits, not automatically mark you down for it.

[gannet]

Open to so much mis-interpretation by associates that I would only encourage it based on their drive - you can easily tell if they may be receptive to it in the way required.

I had a friend once who would quite literally panic the moment I crossed the centre line even though you could see for miles that is was clear He of course hadn't looked that far ahead...

[martine]

I agree it depends so much on the experience/capability of the driver...for this road...it would be rude not to straightline it IMO...

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=51.593495,-2.549&spn=0,0.054846&z=14&layer=c&cbll=51.59351,-2.548962&panoid=F3KJvyxZGL9daskX8v_T1A&cbp=12,234.74,,0,5

...with the caveats of traffic (front and back), mood, weather etc.

[crr003]

I agree it depends so much on the experience/capability of the driver...for this road...it would be rude not to straightline it IMO...

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=51.593495,-2.549&spn=0,0.054846&z=14&layer=c&cbll=51.59351,-2.548962&panoid=F3KJvyxZGL9daskX8v_T1A&cbp=12,234.74,,0,5

...with the caveats of traffic (front and back), mood, weather etc.

Off topic, but...
You're heading west on B4461, and the speed limit changes to 40. A few yards later there is a left turn onto Foxholes Ln and there is another set of 40s? (Nice house on that lane BTW!). Coming from Foxhole toward 4461 it's signed NSL - so as you turn back onto 4461 you think it's NSL, but it isn't? Pretty sparse on repeaters on 4461 continuing west too?

Something wrong here?

[martine]

Off topic, but...
You're heading west on B4461, and the speed limit changes to 40. A few yards later there is a left turn onto Foxholes Ln and there is another set of 40s? (Nice house on that lane BTW!). Coming from Foxhole toward 4461 it's signed NSL - so as you turn back onto 4461 you think it's NSL, but it isn't? Pretty sparse on repeaters on 4461 continuing west too?

Something wrong here?

Well spotted...you seem to know the area well?

I've got a feeling the 40s are relatively new...perhaps google streemap van photo'd the roads sperately before/after the change? I'll check the real road sometime.

[crr003]

Well spotted...you seem to know the area well?

No! Sadly I just seem to "drive" along Google Streetview sometimes to see what happens!

[Gareth]

You're heading west on B4461, and the speed limit changes to 40. A few yards later there is a left turn onto Foxholes Ln and there is another set of 40s? (Nice house on that lane BTW!). Coming from Foxhole toward 4461 it's signed NSL - so as you turn back onto 4461 you think it's NSL, but it isn't?

Same problem at the next turning, on the right. Joining the 4461 it is signed as an NSL, or perhaps the signed has been turned around by a narked local? If so, (i.e. the sign has been turned around), then it's a good example of cynical use of limits.

[jcochrane]

On both my IAM and Rospa(Gold) drives I straight lined (kerb to kerb) through S bends and received words of praise for doing so.

[jont]

I've got a feeling the 40s are relatively new...perhaps google streemap van photo'd the roads sperately before/after the change? I'll check the real road sometime.

It's been a 40 along there for at least a couple of years Not really needed until much further into Elberton, but you know what SouthGlos are like with creeping low limits. It always amazed me that the NSL run into Alveston from there wasn't dropped to a 40 for the whole run.

[martine]

On both my IAM and Rospa(Gold) drives I straight lined (kerb to kerb) through S bends and received words of praise for doing so.

Excellent...nice to hear of examiners appreciating it as well.

[7db]

It does frustrate me when I co-drive and my driver truncates his view and reduces his safety for the sake of some paint. I don't find it as frustrating as when my driver tries to offside in the wrong places, however.

I see similar fear of being offside when looking and deciding prior to overtaking, where there is a clear safety disbenefit from paint observance.