Other drivers are overtaking me every time I drive...

JJGallagher

Anyone else have this happening. I'm doing bang on the speed limit and still every single car overtakes me and sometimes on the outskirts of town where the speed limit is still 60km I have had vans twice in the last 2 days drive right up on my back bumper which was very intimidating but I don't want to break the speed limit and knowing my luck get caught.

My instructor says speed limits are just that, not targets and makes me go 80 in 100 zones but out with my aul fella I'm doing bang on the speed limits and it still doesn't please people.

I feel like when I get the full license I'll have no choice but to break the speed limits because everyone is going faster than me. All this over taking makes me feel like I'm an awful obstruction and must be doing something wrong..... It's just a mental block I'm having a hard time with. When I see these big Audis roaring past my 1 litre I lose all confidence in my abilities

wolf moon

JJGallagher wrote: »

on the outskirts of town where the speed limit is still 60km

It shouldn't be your problem to watch overspeeding drivers - it's a Gardai's job. And blocking the road by driving the overtaking lane (if applicable) is causing more danger than the speed itself. Move away, make space and mind your own business - best way to survive on the road.

Compton

JJGallagher wrote: »

Anyone else have this happening. I'm doing bang on the speed limit and still every single car overtakes me and sometimes on the outskirts of town where the speed limit is still 60km I have had vans twice in the last 2 days drive right up on my back bumper which was very intimidating but I don't want to break the speed limit and knowing my luck get caught.

My instructor says speed limits are just that, not targets and makes me go 80 in 100 zones but out with my aul fella I'm doing bang on the speed limits and it still doesn't please people.

I feel like when I get the full license I'll have no choice but to break the speed limits because everyone is going faster than me. All this over taking makes me feel like I'm an awful obstruction and must be doing something wrong..... It's just a mental block I'm having a hard time with. When I see these big Audis roaring past my 1 litre I lose all confidence in my abilities

because the speed limits are too slow. dont let it bother you if you want to drive on the speed limit.

sentient_6

wolf moon wrote: »

It shouldn't be your problem to watch overspeeding drivers - it's a Gardai's job. And blocking the road by driving the overtaking lane (if applicable) is causing more danger than the speed itself. Move away, make space and mind your own business - best way to survive on the road.

Where did he say at all he's driving in the overtaking lane? I can't figure where you felt the need to make that point?

spurious

Seeing L plates on a car ahead makes some mentally challenged drivers even worse.
It's nothing to do with how you're driving.

They HAVE to get ahead of you - if they don't, I think their bits shrivel up - something bad anyway.

matt70iu

spurious wrote: »

Seeing L plates on a car ahead makes some mentally challenged drivers even worse.
It's nothing to do with how you're driving.

They HAVE to get ahead of you - if they don't, I think their bits shrivel up - something bad anyway.

Mentally challenged would be right:)

groomek

I think most L drivers have gone through this at some point.When I was on L plates I had people scream out their window at me calling me every name under the sun.
I usually smile,roll down the window and extend middle finger

doomed

You are doing the right thing and don't be tempted to change. You are not in a race.

When I was learning to drive I went way too fast and am lucky I didn't kill myself or worse someone else. Stupid.

mikehunts

Simple you need to ask the aul fella for a bigger car some 6lt should do ya.... You should not be gettting to worked up over this, stick to what speed your comfortable with, audi drivers tend to always have the pedal to the metal.

Vegeta

Are you making good progress?

I drive the speed limit 99% of the time and don't experience too much of what you describe. I do find that drivers who accelerate too slowly up to the speed limit get an awful lot of stick

If you're making good progress then ignore them.

Yawns

Ignore them and continue on at speed limit. There's a stretch of road that's set as 60 speed limit but most do 80 on it. Reason being it's a badly set limit. But I see enough guards and checkpoints there that I go 60 only the whole stretch.

Some people get annoyed and either flash lights, drive up my ass or decide to undertake me in the 24 hour bus lane. Have seen 3 of them caught so far by guards up ahead and always get a little smile out of it.

Even if you were a full driver OP and drove at the limits you would still get assholes behind you. It's just a fact of driving in Ireland. If you're driving on a nice stretch with a big hard shoulder, drive partially in it to allow them to overtake you sooner assuming of course the way is clear and safe for you to do so

milliejones

I think the last bit of advice of wolfmoon is good - stay out of others' way and mind your own business - you're fully entitled to drive within the speed limit - let the guards catch the others - and believe it or not, they usually do at some point, and from my experience, it's usually at the worst possible time for the offender!
One other thing - don't look at or engage with drivers you think may be abusive - pretend not even to notice them (fiddle with the radio, etc.)

Dutchess

You're doing nothing wrong. It's these other drivers that should be changing their behaviour. I experience it too, though not in the extent you describe. There are some roads around here in Galway that have a 50 kph limit. They are large two lane roads that everyone speeds on. I admit I have gone 60-70 kph there myself and still everyone overtakes me. Maybe it's a pride thing that people don't wanna drive behind an L driver, maybe they've had a bad experience driving behind an L driver and now avoid this at all cost. In that case I understand overtaking and I don't take it personally. No excuse for tailgating though, but when it happens, just keep your cool and drive as you've been taught.

Del2005

Yawns wrote: »

Ignore them and continue on at speed limit. There's a stretch of road that's set as 60 speed limit but most do 80 on it. Reason being it's a badly set limit. But I see enough guards and checkpoints there that I go 60 only the whole stretch.

Some people get annoyed and either flash lights, drive up my ass or decide to undertake me in the 24 hour bus lane. Have seen 3 of them caught so far by guards up ahead and always get a little smile out of it.

Even if you were a full driver OP and drove at the limits you would still get assholes behind you. It's just a fact of driving in Ireland.

+1

Yawns wrote: »

If you're driving on a nice stretch with a big hard shoulder, drive partially in it to allow them to overtake you sooner assuming of course the way is clear and safe for you to do so

Do not do this.

Drive in the correct position at all times, although you can pull over to the left to make it easier for someone to pass when you see them pulling out to pass, or else you'll be bullied deeper into the hard shoulder.

JJGallagher wrote: »

My instructor says speed limits are just that, not targets and makes me go 80 in 100 zones but out with my aul fella I'm doing bang on the speed limits and it still doesn't please people.

While the limits aren't a target your instructor should be teaching you to make progress so 80km/h on a 100km/h road isn't on. If your ADI doesn't think you are confident enough to do 100km/h they shouldn't be taking you onto the roads.

There are enough muppets driving at 80km/h on 100km/h roads we don't need more.

As for when you're driving at the limit, just ignore the speeders and always maintain your position. When your in 50/60 zones consider driving closer to the centre of the road so that they can't pass as easy.

ADIDriving

Based on what you said, YOU ARE RIGHT. A lot of what has been said here is very wrong. You will learn to be aware of, but not care about these other drivers.

elbee

I get this too.

My attitude is that I'm not getting points on my licence and paying a fine I can't afford just because the person behind me is cool with the possibility of getting both. Maybe they can afford a speeding fine. I would rather spend my money on chocolate

If I'm obeying the road markings and signs, and driving at a speed appropriate for the conditions, I ignore them. It can be difficult but I'm not letting anyone else bully me into getting a fine. If I get one because of my own behaviour, that's different

crashvictim

Here is my two pence for what it is worth. I actually joined up when I saw this. I do this when I see a L driver and so do most of my friends and family. The reason is because my experience is that L drivers are very dangerous to drive behind. They are prone to very sudden stops and very strange driving decisions, in short they are very erractic. Must people try to get around the L driver just to advoid any possible accidents.

My own experience is back two years ago. It was a real rainy day and I was driving behind a learner car. I was at what I thought was a safe distance back and it was a good straight road 50km speed limit, then the car in front stopped very suddenly I of course braked and tried to advoid the car in front, I managed to advoid the car in front but not the post box at the side of the road. The instructor came out to see if i was alright and actually apologised for the sudden stop. Unfortunately it hit my wallet.

matt70iu

crashvictim wrote: »

Here is my two pence for what it is worth. I actually joined up when I saw this. I do this when I see a L driver and so do most of my friends and family. The reason is because my experience is that L drivers are very dangerous to drive behind. They are prone to very sudden stops and very strange driving decisions, in short they are very erractic. Must people try to get around the L driver just to advoid any possible accidents.

My own experience is back two years ago. It was a real rainy day and I was driving behind a learner car. I was at what I thought was a safe distance back and it was a good straight road 50km speed limit, then the car in front stopped very suddenly I of course braked and tried to advoid the car in front, I managed to advoid the car in front but not the post box at the side of the road. The instructor came out to see if i was alright and actually apologised for the sudden stop. Unfortunately it hit my wallet.

I can understand you being warey after that experience. I would be too! Had a similar experience myself last week where a girl with L plates was at a bus stop. I was coming behind her.

She indicated to pull out when I was almost right on top of her. I said to myself, she's not going to pull out is she? Of course she did and I had to Jam on the brakes. Missed her my centimeters. I doubt she even looked in her mirrors as I would have been clearly visible.

The other side of that is we all have to learn and we need to start somewhere. It should be done, I feel, under the supervision of an ADI, especially when you're at the stage where you pull out without looking!!!!

This is why the law regarding leraner drivers needs to be enforced.

Yawns

Only if they're going to bother enforcing all road traffic acts tbh. Have you never encountered full licence holders who brake suddenly for no reason or pull out at last second. I certainly have.

Jesus only weeks ago a silly bitch decided that she wanted to take an exit off the m50 at the last second from the middle lane. Nearly hit me only for I pulled to the left slightly and let rip with the horn. So she went behind me, nearly still managing to hit my rear, and then did the exact same to a lad who was exiting the motorway.

She was a full licence holder....


Of course learner's are prone to make mistakes as they try to gain experience so instead of speeding up and sitting at their bumper to try and overtake as quick as you can would it not be in your best interest to stay even further back until you see a nice clear stretch ahead and then overtake SAFELY! Why go up a L plate's ass and make them 9 times more likely to make a mistake.

Your post is idiotic crash victim. Clearly what you thought was a safe distance wasn't very long at all. If it was a really rainy day you should have been further back to be able to stop from a speed of 50k/m without a need to swerve, it's not that hard. But of course your answer to your failure in that accident is to have the mentality to overtake learners at the first sight of them. Good job!

matt70iu

Yawns wrote: »

Only if they're going to bother enforcing all road traffic acts tbh. Have you never encountered full licence holders who brake suddenly for no reason or pull out at last second. I certainly have.

I hear ya. There's no hard and fast rule. Consistancy is the key without a doubt.

When I was going for my test, my instructor told me to always asume other road users are going to do the most stupid thing you can imagine, be they learners or not.

It helps to remember that we were all learners once:)

Yawns

matt70iu wrote: »

always assume other road users are going to do the most stupid thing you can imagine, be they learners or not.

It helps to remember that we were all learners once:)

+1000

Del2005

Yawns wrote: »

Only if they're going to bother enforcing all road traffic acts tbh. Have you never encountered full licence holders who brake suddenly for no reason or pull out at last second. I certainly have.

Jesus only weeks ago a silly bitch decided that she wanted to take an exit off the m50 at the last second from the middle lane. Nearly hit me only for I pulled to the left slightly and let rip with the horn. So she went behind me, nearly still managing to hit my rear, and then did the exact same to a lad who was exiting the motorway.

She was a full licence holder....

How do you know that? There are numerous posts here from learners saying they regularly drive on the M50. Just because a car has no L plates doesn't mean they have a full licence.

In saying that both full licence and permit holders do stupid and dangerous manoeuvres. The only saving for a learner is that hopefully they can learn from it, most full licence holders don't.

Yawns wrote: »

Your post is idiotic crash victim. Clearly what you thought was a safe distance wasn't very long at all. If it was a really rainy day you should have been further back to be able to stop from a speed of 50k/m without a need to swerve, it's not that hard. But of course your answer to your failure in that accident is to have the mentality to overtake learners at the first sight of them. Good job!

+1 People seriously underestimate the distance required to stop when the roads are wet.

Crashvictim, what where the weather conditions like before it had rained? Had there been a long dry spell, heavy downpours, hard freeze all these affect the road surface and stopping distance. Yet you choose to blame the learner.

What would have happened if it was a full licence driver standing on the brakes to avoid a hitting a person? Was it still the car in fronts fault? There's a reason why insurance comanies nearly always blames the car behind in crashes.

matt70iu

Del2005 wrote: »

The only saving for a learner is that hopefully they can learn from it, most full licence holders don't..

So True!!

Yawns

Del I do take on board your point about learners driving with no L plates up. The reason I am convinced it was full driver, was that she just simply didn't care and did it again to another driver. A lot of learners if the make a mistake tend to panic and stay in their own lane for fear of doing something wrong or they would prob jam on the brakes.

This lady didn't give a **** and just tried to bull thru me and another driver, cross the hatch markings and off the motorway. Not a bother on her. She drove a merc so apparently she didn't care for poor lil ol me

Yawns

In saying that both full licence and permit holders do stupid and dangerous manoeuvres. The only saving for a learner is that hopefully they can learn from it, most full licence holders don't.

Couldn't agree more.

crashvictim

Del2005 wrote: »

How do you know that? There are numerous posts here from learners saying they regularly drive on the M50. Just because a car has no L plates doesn't mean they have a full licence.

In saying that both full licence and permit holders do stupid and dangerous manoeuvres. The only saving for a learner is that hopefully they can learn from it, most full licence holders don't.



+1 People seriously underestimate the distance required to stop when the roads are wet.

Crashvictim, what where the weather conditions like before it had rained? Had there been a long dry spell, heavy downpours, hard freeze all these affect the road surface and stopping distance. Yet you choose to blame the learner.

What would have happened if it was a full licence driver standing on the brakes to avoid a hitting a person? Was it still the car in fronts fault? There's a reason why insurance comanies nearly always blames the car behind in crashes.

It was drizzling and raining since the morning. Yes I do blame the learner driver, apparently the girl was meant to pull in to do a three point turn, unfortunately for me she forgot to indicate and forgot to pull in, and stopped in the middle of a straight road. Yes the onus is on the driver behind to anticipate and stop in time, however it was a totally unexpected stop. People can say what they want about this stuff happening as well from full license drivers but at least they have passed a competency test to be on the road in the first place.

Yawns

Really, every single fully licenced driver out there has passed a competency test?

Still your fault for being too close in very poor road conditions.

EarlERizer

wolf moon wrote: »

It shouldn't be your problem to watch overspeeding drivers - it's a Gardai's job. And blocking the road by driving the overtaking lane (if applicable) is causing more danger than the speed itself. Move away, make space and mind your own business - best way to survive on the road.

I get your point wolf moon but it's a tad harsh for a learner,they're entitled to be on the road just like the rest of us.

Scenario: On a B road where there's no room to move away/make space and you encounter some ar$ehole riding your bumper in an attempt to make you speed up or get out of the way - what do you do?

That can be an intimidating scenario for an experienced driver so imagine your a learner.

The unfortunate thing for learners on the road is the roads are full of 'born drivers' who forget they were ever a learner and have no consideration for anyone else on the road but themselves!

OP - Best of luck with your driving, keep doing what your doing,listen to your instructor, and you'll be grand.

Stark

Del2005 wrote: »

When your in 50/60 zones consider driving closer to the centre of the road so that they can't pass as easy.

Agree with everything in your post bar this. Trying to stop someone who wants to overtake you from overtaking is only going to lead to accidents. There have been many horrific collisions arising from person being overtaken having a bee in their bonnet (mostly speeding up and slowing down to block the other car from pulling back in safely) and it's the innocent third party coming from the other direction who suffers. Leave the policing of the roads to the Gardaí and everyone will be much safer.

matt70iu

Stark wrote: »

Del2005 wrote: »

When your in 50/60 zones consider driving closer to the centre of the road so that they can't pass as easy.

Agree with everything in your post bar this. Trying to stop someone who wants to overtake you from overtaking is only going to lead to accidents. There have been many horrific collisions arising from person being overtaken having a bee in their bonnet (mostly speeding up and slowing down to block the other car from pulling back in safely) and it's the innocent third party coming from the other direction who suffers. Leave the policing of the roads to the GardaÃ* and everyone will be much safer.

I agree, speeding up and slowing down helps no one and puts people in danger. As does tapping the brakes when you've someone trying to jump in your boot from behind.

There's always a risk being on the roads, each drivers just needs to be as competently careful as possible:)

Del2005

Stark wrote: »

Agree with everything in your post bar this. Trying to stop someone who wants to overtake you from overtaking is only going to lead to accidents. There have been many horrific collisions arising from person being overtaken having a bee in their bonnet (mostly speeding up and slowing down to block the other car from pulling back in safely) and it's the innocent third party coming from the other direction who suffers. Leave the policing of the roads to the Gardaí and everyone will be much safer.

I never said swerve around the road or accelerate when people are trying to pass. I said adjust your road position so people won't be tempted to pass by taking a more central position on the road.

I don't agree with motorists trying to slow speeders on N or M roads, but making it harder for people to speed in residential areas I've no problem with.