Convooooy

CL32

I'd like to salute the tasty looking modified A4, the Megane, the Altezza and the Saab 95, who I had the pleasure of driving with in an impromptu convoy most of the way back to Dublin from Galway last weekend.

I found myself in a group of drivers with good road sense who actually seemed to enjoy driving. Good distance was kept, the 'lead' was exchanged regularly and politely. There was no aggressive driving or overtaking but everyone was making good time. We drove together for over an hour and it just seemed as if there was this natural understanding between the five cars.

I got so used to these strangers that it was a bit weird merging onto the M50 because I felt like I was driving among erratic strangers.

It got me thinking though - why don't I feel like this more often? Was I lucky enough to get in a convoy of good drivers for an hour or is this the norm in England / Germany etc? (Never driven outside Ireland before)

Wetbench4

The only convoy i seem to find, is on a narrow road behind something slow, with 20 other cars. I suppose i few times i've made a motorway buddy, like a car you just keep passing and being passed by, and they keep popping up every so often in front or behind you.

CL32

Thats what made it stand out. I was dreading the drive home and it ended up being a pleasure.

Motorway buddy is a phrase that belongs to me now BTW. I like it and I'll bestow it upon those I see fit.

ottostreet

I always feel sad when I've been travelling with another car and they haven't annoyed me. Especially on a drive of 45 minutes or more.

I always feel like I have to say goodbye by flashing the lights or something, even though I know that'd be silly, the other driver probably hasn't even noticed me.

langdang

Weird isn't it - how rare it is that you seem fall into step with someone else who actually appears to be consciously driving and actively aware of their car and other road users. 120 + a little bit, moving out in good time, moving in in good time, sensible braking distances, negotiating incorrect-lane hogs with minimum hassle. Why can't most journeys be like that, rather than spending most of the time second guessing vegetive "drivers"

R.O.R

langdang wrote: »

Weird isn't it - how rare it is that you seem fall into step with someone else who actually appears to be consciously driving and actively aware of their car and other road users. 120 + a little bit, moving out in good time, moving in in good time, sensible braking distances, negotiating incorrect-lane hogs with minimum hassle. Why can't most journeys be like that, rather than spending most of the time second guessing vegetive "drivers"

It's so much more relaxing when, on the rare occasions it happens, that you end up in convoy with someone who can driver properly. You're not constantly expecting to have to perform some evasive manouver when they do something stupid.

Having done a few trips recently to different parts of the country I'm wondering if anyone has noticed the correlation between the distance from Dublin and the number of outside lane "sitters"? It seems to me, the closer you are to the capital, the higher the number of numpties :rolleyes:

TestTransmission

R.O.R wrote: »

It's so much more relaxing when, on the rare occasions it happens, that you end up in convoy with someone who can driver properly. You're not constantly expecting to have to perform some evasive manouver when they do something stupid.

Having done a few trips recently to different parts of the country I'm wondering if anyone has noticed the correlation between the distance from Dublin and the number of outside lane "sitters"? It seems to me, the closer you are to the capital, the higher the number of numpties :rolleyes:

This is very true.

Mc Love

I always feel sad in a way when one of us has to leave the other one, or if they leave me before I am finished my journey

flyingsnail

R.O.R wrote: »

It's so much more relaxing when, on the rare occasions it happens, that you end up in convoy with someone who can driver properly. You're not constantly expecting to have to perform some evasive manouver when they do something stupid.

Having done a few trips recently to different parts of the country I'm wondering if anyone has noticed the correlation between the distance from Dublin and the number of outside lane "sitters"? It seems to me, the closer you are to the capital, the higher the number of numpties :rolleyes:

Most definitely, I see a massive drop off in this once you get passed Portlaoise on the M7

Voodoomelon

R.O.R wrote: »

It seems to me, the closer you are to the capital, the higher the number of numpties :rolleyes:

TestTransmission wrote: »

This is very true.

flyingsnail wrote: »

Most definitely, I see a massive drop off in this once you get passed Portlaoise on the M7

+4

Driving from Galway to Dublin actually usually is a pleasure, but gets progressively worse as you approach the city. Its great driving away from Dublin on the open road, feels like a weight lifting off your shoulders.

-Corkie-

Yep I always say to myself `I am out of the sh1t now when I pass the M9 turn off when heading back to Cork.

I agree with Ottostreet its a pleasure driving behind someone with road sence. I always feel annoyed when they turn off..:o