Just seen disgraceful driving!!

Please Kill Me

Well, it was more dangerous and stupid than anything! I was heading from Kinnegad to Enfield on the old N4. I came up behind a 99 Volvo S40, who was sitting behind a 97 Civic. The Civic was doing about 50kph. (It's a 80kph road) I could see by the Volvo he wasn't happy sitting there as he'd go to the white line to overtake and then back in again as there was oncoming traffic. This went on for a couple of miles until the Volvo got a gap and went to overtake the Civic. As he was side by side with the Civic, it seemed to take an eternity for him to get around, and then I realised what was going on. As the Volvo was going round, the Civic accelerated. So the Volvo sped up some more, as did the Civic. :eek:

At this stage they were both doing about 100kph and speeding up, side by side on the main road....and then a truck came round the corner. The Volvo sped up even more, but so did the Civic. I backed off completely, thinking this was going to end in carnage. At the last second the Volvo turned in on the Civic and the Civic had to brake to make room for him. All the while the artic was flashing and blowing at the Volvo. Then when the Volvo got in front of the Civic, he started flashing at him like he had done something wrong!

It was a close one. Never seen anything like it in the 23 years I've been driving. But I don't get it. If the Civic was able to do 80 or 100, why wasn't he doing it in the first place? Obviously he doesn't have to, but why did he have to speed up and get p!ssed off because someone was overtaking him? I don't get that mentality at all.

Bandito909

In before the Civic Boy Racer bashing thread commences!! :pac:

Voodoomelon

Some drivers think that speed and overtaking are the root of all evil and feel anyone going faster than they are is dangerous. Despite the fact that this person nearly caused a massive accident.

MugMugs

It appears that Mr Civic fancied himself as a vigilante traffic corps....

Please Kill Me

Bandito909 wrote: »

In before the Civic Boy Racer bashing thread commences!! :pac:

Nothing against Civics or boy racers, the car in question just happened to be an older Civic.

advertsfox

Civic and Volvo good, then bad.

Lawless2k12

Civic driver should stripped off his licence. Could have caused a death just because he didn't want to be overtaken. Absolute idiot! Would love to have a dash cam and be behind that ridiculous display. Wouldn't be long following him and then ringing the guards about the incident once he was stopped. Who in their right mind will actually nearly kill someone just because they passed you out for driving like you were 120 years old!

MugMugs

advertsfox wrote: »

Keyword there is limit - not fooking "target"!

Gay Byrne, is it really you?

Jordan537

what an idiot! People like this that make the insurance so high!

Mena

advertsfox wrote: »

Why is everybody in such a rush these days? Go on, overtake me because I'm doing 20% less than the speed limit and end up getting a few car lengths in front of me.

Keyword there is limit - not fooking "target"!

You got one of those free 'sympathy' licences they handed out some years ago right?

Fresh Pots

Did you get his reg number? Sounds like the type of person who would benefit from a nice friendly knock on the door from the guards.

Chris_Heilong

hope the truck slowed down when approaching them, If you wanted you could report the incident to the guards, even though no one was hurt it could be deemed as dangerous driving. I heard about something like this last week from a taxi driver he said when he passed both cars later they were being driven by 70 year old men.

Marty McFly

advertsfox wrote: »

Why is everybody in such a rush these days? Go on, overtake me because I'm doing 20% less than the speed limit and end up getting a few car lengths in front of me.

Keyword there is limit - not fooking "target"!

Really that cant be a serious post? The Civic was doing well below the speed limit therefore the Volvo had every right to overtake and was doing nothing wrong.

Please Kill Me

Lawless2k12 wrote: »

Civic driver should stripped off his licence. Could have caused a death just because he didn't want to be overtaken. Absolute idiot! Would love to have a dash cam and be behind that ridiculous display. Wouldn't be long following him and then ringing the guards about the incident once he was stopped. Who in their right mind will actually nearly kill someone just because they passed you out for driving like you were 120 years old!

For what it's worth, I called the cops when I got home and gave his reg/car description. I doubt anything will be done, but at least they have his details if/when something happens.

Geri Male

The Volvo driver is the one with the problem.

advertsfox

Marty McFly wrote: »

Really that cant be a serious post? The Civic was doing well below the speed limit therefore the Volvo had every right to overtake and was doing nothing wrong.

Ah it is, more of a side note on the situation really, never said anything against the Civic (he was doing right until the Volvo overtook, I would like to know why the Civic even sped up like that) - something I've noticed a lot more since I've dropped from a 1.9 to a 1.2 (I don't crawl but it takes longer to get up to speed). Everyone is in a rush these days (man I think I'm getting old before my years) :P

Please Kill Me

Geri Male wrote: »

The Volvo driver is the one with the problem.

Why? As soon as the opportunity presented itself, I went around the twat in the Civic too. :rolleyes:

mickdw

advertsfox wrote: »

Why is everybody in such a rush these days? Go on, overtake me because I'm doing 20% less than the speed limit and end up getting a few car lengths in front of me.

Keyword there is limit - not fooking "target"!

So you dont see anything wrong with the behaviour of the civic driver?

advertsfox

mickdw wrote: »

So you dont see anything wrong with the behaviour of the civic driver?

Of course not, my post was an after thought. Just commented a minute ago on that...

"Never said anything against the Civic (he was doing right until the Volvo overtook, I would like to know why the Civic even sped up like that)".

awec

This post has been deleted.

kirving

advertsfox wrote: »

Why is everybody in such a rush these days? Go on, overtake me because I'm doing 20% less than the speed limit and end up getting a few car lengths in front of me.

Keyword there is limit - not fooking "target"!

The Civic was doing nearly 40% below the limit. A few car lengths? With a speed differential of 30kph, 2 minutes later the Volvo would be a kilometre further down the road than the Civic.

I know that it's not always do-able, but the Volvo driver should have held back, accelerated on his own side of the road up to 80kph, and quickly passed the Civic. It sounds as though the Volvo pulled out, and then started accelerating.

advertsfox

Kevin Irving wrote: »

The Civic was doing nearly 40% below the limit. A few car lengths? With a speed differential of 30kph, 2 minutes later the Volvo would be a kilometre further down the road than the Civic.

I know that it's not always do-able, but the Volvo driver should have held back, accelerated on his own side of the road up to 80kph, and quickly passed the Civic. It sounds as though the Volvo pulled out, and then started accelerating.

Think I should have worded my post better, I'm basing it more on my own experiences of it lately as a side thought - thinking out loud

Monty Burnz

As I understand it, the Civic driver can place his car where he likes on the road as long as he is racing for position. If he was being lapped, he should have moved over.

Chuck Stone

People who do that should be charged with attempted murder.

Bruthal

advertsfox wrote: »

Why is everybody in such a rush these days? Go on, overtake me because I'm doing 20% less than the speed limit and end up getting a few car lengths in front of me.

Keyword there is limit - not fooking "target"!

Geri Male wrote: »

The Volvo driver is the one with the problem.

We don`t even have to leave the house to see people with likely driving incompetence.

meoklmrk91

I have come across assholes like this before, it's very scary. I personally don't understand the mentaliy, if you want to drive slow that's grand, just don't impede people overtaking and nearly cause accidents. What is it pride or something, I honestly don't know. Did the gardai say that they were going to give the driver a warning? As far as I know that is what they are supposed to do, if the driver then accepts the warning all is good and everyone goes on their merry way, if not then you can be asked to give a written statement so that they can be prosecuted. I have generally found the gardai very good when it comes to things like this. This wasn't just a mistake this was wreakless endangerment of lives, fools who treat driving like its some game or competition should have their licenses removed in my opinion.

Bruthal

awec wrote: »

In situations like this I'd really love it if I was a member of the Gardaí. Watching that unfold and then flicking on the blue lights and hearing what excuse the Civic driver would come out with.

Yea I thought that once or twice myself.

chubchub

Me personally whole not condoning that the civic driver did.. u say other car was in and out and agitated I absolutely hate when someone puts me in danger by putting me at risk by arse driving and trying to overtake stupidly, it's equally an accident waiting to happen if someone has to brake suddenly and your man goes into him. I wouldn't do what civic driver did but it really annoys me too

dgt

Absolutely disgraceful when someone does that. The roads aren't a place for that nonsense

AugustusMinimus

This has happened to me several times and its some of the most dangerous driving imaginable.

Personally, I thinkthe Civic driver should be pulled from their car and flogged. Was it a man or woman, old or young ?

This is the reason why I think I should be driving at least a 3 litre car.

sean1141

Geri Male wrote: »

The Volvo driver is the one with the problem.

I really really hope you don't have a drivers licence.

Wicklowandy

But if you were driving the volvo the only safe thing to do would have been to brake and slot into the space created by the OP dropping back.

Why take a stupid risk if someone else is driving questionably?

Marty McFly

Wicklowandy wrote: »

But if you were driving the volvo the only safe thing to do would have been to brake and slot into the space created by the OP dropping back.

Why take a stupid risk if someone else is driving questionably?

In fairness initially the Civic driver was completely at fault it also might have taken the Volvo driver a bit of time to realise what the Civic driver was up to.

AugustusMinimus

Anyone blaming the Volvo driver for this doesn't understand causality logic.

kirving

Monty Burnz wrote: »

As I understand it, the Civic driver can place his car where he likes on the road as long as he is racing for position. If he was being lapped, he should have moved over.

Not quite, he's allowed one change of direction on each straight, that's it. Maybe the Civic had DRS from car in front. Volvo should have used KERS.

advertsfox

robbie7730 wrote: »

We don`t even have to leave the house to see people with likely driving incompetence.

Nothing I said emphasized anything related to driving incompetence. Although I do agree with you about the other person quoted regarding the Volvo being at fault.

Chuck Stone

Wicklowandy wrote: »

But if you were driving the volvo the only safe thing to do would have been to brake and slot into the space created by the OP dropping back.

Why take a stupid risk if someone else is driving questionably?

Why stop there? Staying at home would have prevented the situation arising in the first place.

Heck, not being born would prevent many deaths...

Jesus...

Bruthal

advertsfox wrote: »

Nothing I said emphasized anything related to driving incompetence. Although I do agree with you about the other person quoted regarding the Volvo being at fault.

Maybe so, but with a driver doing 50 in an 80 zone, others are perfectly entitled to overtake them without being told its a limit, not a target.

Wicklowandy

Lifes too short..

I agree the civic driver was being a fool...but

If it happens its not worth it, if you were driving the volvo and hit the truck, sods law would state the civic driver would sail on unaffected.

Just brake, pull into the gap, curse the civic driver(silently if with company) and live to fight another fight.

kirving

From the Volvo's point of view, the Civic would be liable to do anything after accelerating for no reason, like stand on the brakes as soon as he pulled back in behind. The Civic could also have slowed down with the Volvo, leaving him on the wrong side of the road still.

In that sense, the safest thing to do is get as far away from the Civic as possible. Obviously, the lorry complicated things.

advertsfox

robbie7730 wrote: »

Maybe so, but with a driver doing 50 in an 80 zone, others are perfectly entitled to overtake them without being told its a limit, not a target.

Completely agree with you but again, my comment was an afterthought because it's something I've noticed a lot of lately and in my experience of driving (say doing 60 in an 80 and people being up your hole - then overtaking to gain practically no distance at all). Of course there's nothing wrong with that maneuver either but I personally just don't see the point or benefits. Guess there could be a lot of pregnant women being drove to the hospital like in the movies

Bruthal

Wicklowandy wrote: »

But if you were driving the volvo the only safe thing to do would have been to brake and slot into the space created by the OP dropping back.

Why take a stupid risk if someone else is driving questionably?

It seems the questionable driving only happened when the volvo tried to overtake. Maybe he/she should contact mystic meg the next time.

Conmaicne Mara

If the Volvo was tailgating then they're both as bad as each other, IMO.

johndaman66

meoklmrk91 wrote: »

Did the gardai say that they were going to give the driver a warning? As far as I know that is what they are supposed to do, if the driver then accepts the warning all is good and everyone goes on their merry way, if not then you can be asked to give a written statement so that they can be prosecuted. I have generally found the gardai very good when it comes to things like this.

I was in a somewhat similar situation to the Civic driver a few years back. I was driving to work one morning. Was driving on a regional road with a 100kph speed limit. I was doing a constant 95 - 100 kph and an artic with a trailer came right up behind me and stayed sitting on my tail...really close.

He stayed there for a minute or two and next thing he started flahing his lights aggressively and tried to intimidate me into moving over. He proceeded to overtake coming up close to a bend. Unlike the Civic driver I moved over into the hard shoulder and killed my speed a bit. Just as well too because a car came around the bend against us.

I'd be the type that would normally let every man to himself but that really annoyed me. Its dangerous in a car but when you are driving an artic with 40 odd tonne or more behind you....well. If I'd been the stubborn type and didn't move in it could potentially have being a serious accident.

As it happens there was one of those signs advertising the number to ring the Gardai in confidence to report dangerous driving a few miles up ahead. I stopped and punched it into my phone as I had noted the number of the truck. I rang that evening to report the incident. I was told that they would need a particular reg number to be reported to them 5 times before they would take any further action.

They took my name and number and asked if I would be willing to give evidence of the incident in court if the driver were to be prosecuted for dangerous driving down the line. I gave my name, details and consent but after I hung up I said to myself why bother?

Five phone calls needed before any action is taken by the Gardai. I'd think its more likely that somebody would be killed or seriously maimed first...

Bruthal

advertsfox wrote: »

Guess there could be a lot of pregnant women being drove to the hospital like in the movies

Would you overtake someone going at 20kph? Where does your limit lie? Or would you also stay behind them in the absence of a pregnant woman in your car?

AugustusMinimus

Kevin Irving wrote: »

Not quite, he's allowed one change of direction on each straight, that's it. Maybe the Civic had DRS from car in front. Volvo should have used KERS.

I believe he's allowed to return to the racing line for the next corner as well.

If we're going by Indycar rules, you must stick to either the left or right hand imaginery lane for the next corner.

Gumbo

People always go on about big BHP cars and say "you cant use the power here" and "theres no point having that power" etc

Its time like this im glad i have a half decent 2.5d engine with 215bhp, i dont encounter these kind of problems. You might not need that power everyday, but when you need it, its nice to know its there.

Solair

If I'd an accident in a situation like that I would sue the driver who deliberately obstructed me! That is lethal driving. You do not block a car and force it to remain on the wrong side of the road to preserve your precious ego.

It's a public road not a rally track ffs! You are not entitled to dangerously obstruct passing traffic!

It's also not your job or responsibly to enforce what you feel the speed limit should be. That's what the traffic cameras and garda speed traps are for.

advertsfox

robbie7730 wrote: »

Would you overtake someone going at 20kph? Where does your limit lie? Or would you also stay behind them in the absence of a pregnant woman in your car?

I was joking and of course I would. I also drive a 1.2 Grande Punto - I don't need nor get a chance to overtake much.

Dartz

Kevin Irving wrote: »

The Civic could also have slowed down with the Volvo, leaving him on the wrong side of the road still.

When they do this. It is terrifying.

You tried to overtake me, fiend... have a head-on collision for your trouble.

Please Kill Me

Monty Burnz wrote: »

As I understand it, the Civic driver can place his car where he likes on the road as long as he is racing for position. If he was being lapped, he should have moved over.

I didn't see any blue flags though! :pac:

AugustusMinimus wrote: »

Personally, I thinkthe Civic driver should be pulled from their car and flogged. Was it a man or woman, old or young ?

Three young lads, about 19/20 yrs old.