Confidence overtaking skill?

Mr Benevolent

As some of you know I'm learning to drive at the moment. I've had one lesson and the instructor said I was fine but needed to improve on a few things. The problem is that as my skill improves my confidence is improving even more and it's getting me into stupid situations. For instance, today I was overtaking a horse off the N32 and according to my girlfriend nearly clipped the cart as I was too fixated on overtaking before oncoming traffic hit us. The second incident was much worse. I was turning right on the main street (Swords onto the Malahide Road), saw the green light and went, ignoring or oblivious to the unlit filter light. I barely avoided being squashed by oncoming traffic.

Two stupid incidents, I'm sure you'll agree. There have been a few more. So far I'm only driving seriously for 4 weeks, but I'm worried that I'll get too cocky and do something really, really stupid and end up denting the car and, by extension, me or my girlfriend.

Any tips? I have another lesson on Tuesday btw.

Wouldn't be overly worried about the cart incident, you were more than likely no where close to hitting it, the passenger side of a car is not a nice place to sit.

In general, just take your time and you should be fine, just need to clock up the miles but don' be in a rush to do so, patience patience.

I was a woeful learner and have gone 150k ish miles without incident (well incident that was my fault :pac:)

Actually there was one that was my fault early on, same as yourself got a bit cocky, was in a cul de sac thing and was reversing, quick look over the shoulder, checked mirrors and reversed into an telecom eireann/ESB pole.

mickob16

Remember your only learning so dont put yourself under pressure.

When i was learning i would try to plan the route as best i could so as to avoid situations i wasnt 100% on.ie-having to stop on a hill,driving along tight roads.

By the sounds of it your doing fine.

mikemac

You were probably fine with the cart OP, your girlfriend was in the passenger seat so closer and is possibly a nervous passenger.

You've had one lesson with more booked and you're progressing along.

When I was learning I'd be remembering small mistakes and breaking down exactly what happened. Maybe men like to analyze and be detailed over things? Possibly?

RoverJames wrote: »

was reversing, quick look over the shoulder, checked mirrors and reversed into an telecom eireann/ESB pole.

Not your fault, those poles have a habit of jumping in front of cars
A kerb in the shopping centre car park leaped out in front of me the other day!

Drummerboy08

Concentrate and pay attention to what's going on around you. Generally if you do those two things you'll be fine.

Also, take your time.

Testament1

RoverJames wrote: »

Actually there was one that was my fault early on, same as yourself got a bit cocky, was in a cul de sac thing and was reversing, quick look over the shoulder, checked mirrors and reversed into an telecom eireann/ESB pole.

Reminds me of this from about 1:48 on.....:D

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pE3VoaTfaOg

KamiKazi

When overtaking don't be afraid to put the boot down, being too slow while on the opposite side of the road is a lot more dangerous than being a bit over the speed limit IMO.

CiniO

Confab wrote: »

For instance, today I was overtaking a horse off the N32 and according to my girlfriend nearly clipped the cart as I was too fixated on overtaking before oncoming traffic hit us.

Always make sure you have enough gap in oncoming traffic to overtake.
Always try to watch how much road spread you can see, how much of it is clear from oncoming cars, what speed are oncoming cars coming at, and if there are any possibilities cars might come from the side (junctions, petrol stations, side of road parkings, gates, etc). Always remember as well, to keep apropriate distance from the car you are overtaking, even thought most drivers would tailgate someone they are planning to overtake. That's not good way of overtaking.
If you keep bigger distance, you can see oncoming traffic much better.


Very often mistake which sometimes even experienced drivers do, is to not pay attention to speed of oncoming cars.
I've seen plenty of situations, when someone was trying to overtake me on a long stretch of road, but didn't do it when he saw a car coming from other side, even the car was very very far and was going at slow speed. He could easily have 400m to overtake which was plenty. Next thing, when that car passed, he started overtaking, because there was nothing more oncoming, but visible stretch of road was much smaller (way less than 400m).

Now, when you see a gap in oncoming traffic, which is enough to overtake, start accelerating (even before the gap is there, as if you are keeping distance from the car in front of you, there is enough space), and when the gap is already there, you already have some speed difference build, go on right lane and overtake.
Make sure no to pass to close to the vehicle you are overtaking. If it's a cyclist, pedestrian, or horse, always pass as far as possible. If it's a car, there no really any need to pass that far, so you might overtake bit closer.

The second incident was much worse. I was turning right on the main street (Swords onto the Malahide Road), saw the green light and went, ignoring or oblivious to the unlit filter light. I barely avoided being squashed by oncoming traffic.

When turning right you have to always make sure that you give way to oncoming traffic.

flash1080

CiniO wrote: »

Now, when you see a gap in oncoming traffic, which is enough to overtake, start accelerating (even before the gap is there, as if you are keeping distance from the car in front of you, there is enough space), and when the gap is already there, you already have some speed difference build, go on right lane and overtake.

People who tailgait when they're in a rush would do well to remember that, particularly if they're in modestly powered cars which really need a bit of a run to accelerate.

baaaa

Just remember that you're only learning 4 weeks and are therefore a useless driver.
Good driving comes automatically,but only after a few years driving.
Time and experience are the only things that'll improve you.

Gophur

OP, would it be correct to surmise from your post you are driving unaccompanied on a Learner's Permit?

If so, then stop it immediately. The roads are dangerous enough without having complete novices driving unaccompanied.

Do things right. Get proper tuition and do not drive unaccompanied (by a fully licenced driver. )

Gophur

Gophur wrote: »

OP, would it be correct to surmise from your post you are driving unaccompanied on a Learner's Permit?

If so, then stop it immediately. The roads are dangerous enough without having complete novices driving unaccompanied.

Do things right. Get proper tuition and do not drive unaccompanied (by a fully licenced driver. )

Perhaps his girlfriend has a full licence?

CiniO

baaaa wrote: »

Good driving comes automatically,but only after a few years driving.

That's a major mistake.
Good driving doesn't come automatically.
You have to learn how to drive correctly (most preferably with qualified instructor), and then you still learn through all your life, becoming a better driver every day.
I'm a holder of full licence for almost 12 years now. I drove almost half a million miles so far, but I'm still learning. I'm reading plenty of books and articles about correct driving techniques. I'm talking to people on motoring forums. I'm training and trying to improve things that I do wrong.

Driving is something which you can always improve.

If someone has attitude that he learnt to drive already and is a good driver, then believe me or not - that's not good attitude.

bonzodog2

OP, good luck with the learning. Beware of over-confidence ! Take your time and stay safe.

Esel

RoverJames wrote: »

.... and reversed into an telecom eireann/ESB pole.

Hello . . . Hello! . . . . Hello? Fuppit, that's the last straw - I'm switching to UPC.

Esel

Esel wrote: »

Hello . . . Hello! . . . . Hello? Fuppit, that's the last straw - I'm switching to UPC.

'twas back in 1999

unkel

Overtaking is very complex and very dangerous. Most car occupant road deaths (non-single vehicle accidents) in this country happen when one car is on the wrong side of the road. Now overtaking a horse drawn cart on a slow speed suburban road is very different from overtaking a car on a 100km/h national road, but the same dynamics still apply. I agree with others that perhaps you weren't so close to the cart. I'd be a lot more worried if your instructor had made the comment, instead of your girlfriend. The second incident with the filter light is worrying. Driving is all about observation and anticipation and you're lacking (as all learner drivers are!!!) in the observation department.

If I were you, I'd book a good few more lessons before driving without an instructor again. And don't worry, you will get there soon enough! But it's better to become a competent driver without putting yourself and others at risk.

Esel

Get Past Fast. That's one of the golden rules of overtaking. Google it.

Mr.David

The fact that you are aware of your errors is really positive, its the gobsheens that think everyone else is eternally mistaken that are the real dangers. We all made silly mistakes when learning to drive, recognising them means you can learn and not repeat them.

When overtaking, its alarming the number of people that get 100% fixated on what is on front of them only and neglect to check mirrors before pulling out. Has happened to me more than once that someone starts pulling out as you are in the middle of overtaking them!

Secondly, remember that you can nearly always abort an overtake. It can happen that you misjudge it and so long as you have somewhere to go to, braking and aborting can be the best option.

Lastly, and most importantly by far, practice patience.

MrDerp

Hey you made a few mistakes, but these have nothing to do with your confidence or ability. These mistakes are most likely concentration based. While learning you're less able to switch off and just drive.

I'm in my 5th year of driving and I still make the occasional mistake. It's always always always when I have passengers in the car and I'm answering questions or thinking about the conversation. It's most likely to happen with my girlfriend in the car.

My most common mistake is where there's two traffic lights within 50m and I see green looking down the road and miss the red right in front of me. But again, only ever happens with a passenger and I always catch myself and break.

As people have said, the passenger seat can be a scary place if you're a driver yourself. I used to be oblivous before I started driving, now I'm nervous in there. There's a discomfort to being in a different lane position that comes with the awareness of being a driver.

Also, your girlfriend will be your most nervous passenger. Broach the subject carefully, because she'll immediately get her back up and say you're accusing her for your mistakes, but I'd advise a quiet car for your concentration while you drive, so tell her that you need it. No radio, no chat, no tunes until you're confident that you're not making concentration errors.