Aggressive drivers and no Gardai on N20 outbound

flaneur

I'm getting really fed up with this.

Every morning while trying to turn right on the 50km/H zone of the N20 through Blackpool I am dealing with incredibly aggressive drivers who are going at way beyond the speed limit.

There are people doing at least 80-100 in a 50km/H zone and there's zero enforcement. I've yet to see a single Garda on the outbound side.

This morning I saw a large gap traffic about of 5 cars long or so in the right lane just beyond the Blackpool bypass and I turned out only to have an aggressive driver try to close the gap accelerating at me at huge speed and blasting the horn then spending the next 1km to my right turn driving on my bumper flashing and beeping!

It's getting so bad I can't safely make a right turn into those junctions without having some moron flashing lights or beeping because I'm making a 100% legal and necessary right turn.

They seem to behave like as if you've stopped on the M7 in the fast lane even though it's a 50km/H zone with turns and necessary lane changes.

There's a reason it has a 50km/H limit - multiple junctions that involve right turns to access Blackpool businesses.

I wouldn't even mind if it were people doing 60 but it's people acting as if it's a motorway and right turning traffic is doing something wrong.

100km/H there is 2X the speed limit.

I don't understand Irish driver behaviour. That is causing delays by blocking free flowing traffic and is risking rear-ending someone yet there isn't a speed camera or anything.

Similar used to happen years ago on the Lower Glanmire road inbound (although it's a far less complex route). You used to see a lot of aggression at the right turns after the Silverspring bridge on the single carriageway. Then there was some sporadic enforcement and the traffic is generally a lot more sane these days.

whisky_galore

The drivers of high end cars are especially prone to acting the maggot, as well as 'rice rocket' drivers.

j8wk2feszrnpao

flaneur wrote: »

I don't understand Irish driver behaviour.

You think speeding is an Irish only behavior?
Like most places in the World, if it's not policed, then people are unlikely to abide by the rules.

TheQuietBeatle

Get their license number and report them would be my advice.

run_Forrest_run

TheQuietBeatle wrote: »

Get their license number and report them would be my advice.

why? nothing will be done, there is no proof and you'll only end up getting more frustrated as a result.

BrokenArrows

I flew into dublin last friday, drove to waterford then to cork, then to dingle, then back to cork over the space of 5 days where i flew out again.

I didnt see a single police car anywhere on the roads, in the towns, anywhere.
Not sure what they do with their time.

run_Forrest_run

BrokenArrows wrote: »

I flew into dublin last friday, drove to waterford then to cork, then to dingle, then back to cork over the space of 5 days where i flew out again.

I didnt see a single police car anywhere on the roads, in the towns, anywhere.
Not sure what they do with their time.

in fairness though, just because you didn't see them doesn't mean they weren't out.

the beer revolu

I can't figure out where you're talking about. A right hand turn with no traffic lights onto the the N20 in Blackpool heading out of town?
I can't picture it.

TheChizler

By Dulux maybe?

the beer revolu

TheChizler wrote: »

By Dulux maybe?

Isn't there traffic lights there?
Also, I wouldn't describe it as Blackpool.

zilog_jones

run_Forrest_run wrote: »

why? nothing will be done, there is no proof and you'll only end up getting more frustrated as a result.

Video evidence might help. Not surprising that more people are putting cameras in their cars these days...

FrStone

the beer revolu wrote: »

Isn't there traffic lights there?
Also, I wouldn't describe it as Blackpool.

Into south doc I presume?

boardsuser1

FrStone wrote: »

Into south doc I presume?

The Sunbeam? For the turn itself there's no lights, just above it there is, that aside there's lights at every other right turn along there.

the beer revolu

Looks like OP just needed a rant and isn't engaging.

mikeecho

I know a few people, including family members who are always complaining about aggressive drivers, yet I very rarely encounter such problems, despite driving the same roads.

My conclusion.. the people who complain are actually woeful drivers who can't maintain a constant speed, eccessively slow down for trivial hazards, don't indicate in time, and generally have poor driving skills, and i notice this being a passenger in the car with them.

Sometimes, it's not the other driver... it's YOU.

AndrewJRenko

zilog_jones wrote: »

Video evidence might help. Not surprising that more people are putting cameras in their cars these days...

TheQuietBeatle wrote: »

Get their license number and report them would be my advice.

Stand at the junction with a camera, 20 minutes a day for a few days and you should have piles of evidence with reg numbers. The Gardai won't thank you, but they can't ignore you.

Publish the evidence with a bit of a social media campaign for local press and local Councillors.

Or stand there with a hairdryer pointed at them and see what happens.

mikeecho

AndrewJRenko wrote: »

Stand at the junction with a camera, 20 minutes a day for a few days and you should have piles of evidence with reg numbers. The Gardai won't thank you, but they can't ignore you.

Publish the evidence with a bit of a social media campaign for local press and local Councillors.

Or stand there with a hairdryer pointed at them and see what happens.

Or.. you could get a life

AndrewJRenko

mikeecho wrote: »

Or.. you could get a life

Apologies - you prefer keyboard warriors who whinge about things but don't actually take action in the real world then?

archer22

run_Forrest_run wrote: »

in fairness though, just because you didn't see them doesn't mean they weren't out.

Yeah they were probably parked up some laneway "bagging" themselves.

flaneur

The reason I'm not engaging is because there are weird defensive posts attacking and accusing me of bad driving, ranting, being a keyboard warrior etc

Sorry I bloody mentioned it now.

Lets just wait until someone gets killed and then we can do something about drivers doing 100km/H in the 50 zone. It's the Irish way

Maybe some posters here like driving way beyond the speed limit and beeping at right turning traffic ... Who knows?

Clearly you can't raise your head in Ireland about any issue or you're slapped back down.
Then we go around wondering why there's a cultural issue in organisations about whistleblowers being shut down and squeezed out.

The message I get from this thread is don't raise any issue ever as if you do you're either whining or a trouble maker.

j8wk2feszrnpao

flaneur wrote: »

The reason I'm not engaging is because there are weird defensive posts attacking and accusing me of bad driving, ranting, being a keyboard warrior etc

Sorry I bloody mentioned it now.

Lets just wait until someone gets killed and then we can do something about drivers doing 100km/H in the 50 zone. It's the Irish way

Maybe some posters here like driving way beyond the speed limit and beeping at right turning traffic ... Who knows?

Clearly you can't raise your head in Ireland about any issue or you're slapped back down.
Then we go around wondering why there's a cultural issue in organisations about whistleblowers being shut down and squeezed out.

The message I get from this thread is don't raise any issue ever as if you do you're either whining or a trouble maker.

Question, how many people have been killed in this reckless and dangerous zone? Given the way you describe it, that stats must back up your assessment.

If it's "the Irish way", are we the only country that speeds?

beer rev asked a simple question about that turn you are speaking about, but you failed to supply it. You started the weird ranting post, attacking and accusing others of bad driving.

From your own comments, you seem to be a bit of a keyboard warrior yourself.

what the hell!

I just want to know where are you talking about?

flaneur

As I said earlier, I am not really interested in getting into a personally focused argument here.

I outlined a problem with large numbers of drivers breaking the speed limit by a very large margin and behaving unnecessarily aggressively at about 7:45-8am.

I'm not making it up to annoy people and I do not drive in any kind of unusual way nor do I generally have issues with aggressive drivers.
There is a specific problem on that stretch at rush hour.

A very similar issue used to occur on the Lower Glanmire road maybe 5+ years ago but has radically improved due to occasional enforcement.

I have zero interest in participating in a thread where people are personalising what is a simple comment on a traffic flow issue. So I won't be posting anymore on this thread.

the beer revolu

OP, there was one post suggesting that maybe the problem lay with your driving. One!

Where have you gotten the idea that you are being personally attacked on this thread, or are you referring to that one post?

Your reaction to this thread is very weird indeed.

I simply asked where you are talking about but you refuse to supply that information. Most odd.

Also, a possible reason for the driver beeping and flashing behind you is that he/she simply wanted to overtake you and was extremely frustrated that you wouldn't vacate the overtaking lane to let him/her past.
I also find that right lane occupying behavior extremely frustrating.

j8wk2feszrnpao

flaneur wrote: »

I'm not making it up to annoy people and I do not drive in any kind of unusual way nor do I generally have issues with aggressive drivers.
There is a specific problem on that stretch at rush hour.

Honestly don't think you are making it up.
Genuinely, most here would like to know where exactly that stretch is for their own reference (and clear up any confusion as to the turn you are speaking of).

pwurple

It is a problem in 50km zones.

Early morning is bananas in many parts of the city. I was on the ballinlough road at 7:30, keeping to the speed limit, (not 30 or 40kph, more like 52) and mr landrover (in the city, i ask ya) overtook me and zoomed off. A residential zone.

i have seen serious speeding on loads of 50k, even as a pedestrian it's obvious.

And yes, I have seen two bad crashes this year, but not fatal so maybe they don't count . One was near the african missions where luckily there was a parked car for it to hit. It rammed into that, and trapped a baby in its buggy up against the wall behind. Baby was fine.

The other one was churchyard lane, near the silver quay, which is now used as a rat run for the lights (thanks areshole councillors). The car in that case mounted the footpath and took down a garden wall. 2 kids playing in the garden, but not by the wall that day thank feck.

pwurple

The OP probably does not want to identify where they live btw... not that odd.

Ludo

the beer revolu wrote: »

OP, there was one post suggesting that maybe the problem lay with your driving. One!

In fairness to the OP, that ONE post rated fairly high on the asshole scale. Presumably posted by a motorhead who is gods gift to driving and sees other drivers as not worthy...almost ironic.

B-D-P--

whisky_galore wrote: »

The drivers of high end cars are especially prone to acting the maggot, as well as 'rice rocket' drivers.

No, these drivers come in every form. Dont be bashing a stereo type to receive likes.
Drive neither so its not defending my own car.

pwurple

mikeecho wrote: »

I know a few people, including family members who are always complaining about aggressive drivers, yet I very rarely encounter such problems, despite driving the same roads.

My conclusion.. the people who complain are actually woeful drivers who can't maintain a constant speed, eccessively slow down for trivial hazards, don't indicate in time, and generally have poor driving skills, and i notice this being a passenger in the car with them.

Sometimes, it's not the other driver... it's YOU.

Or, going from that post, it's possible YOU are an aggressive driver.

GavRedKing

AndrewJRenko wrote: »

Stand at the junction with a camera, 20 minutes a day for a few days and you should have piles of evidence with reg numbers. The Gardai won't thank you, but they can't ignore you.

Publish the evidence with a bit of a social media campaign for local press and local Councillors.

Or stand there with a hairdryer pointed at them and see what happens.

Standing in the junction would be dangerous and stupid and would probably get you moved on by the Gardai, you'd have the Gardai on the scene but not for the reasons you'd want. :pac:

Also, I cant imagine anyone with that much spare time, doing their own police work during the working day.

Another place that is bad for speeding and agressive driving in the city is the road out pass the Silver Springs and O'Leary garage, its not a 100kmh stretch of road until you get to about half way towards the roudabout, I've driven out there doing the speed limit, I think its 60kmh and you'd have people flash and beep you from behind, I just move over and let them on their way, that road has speed vans on it a lot so I never do 100kmh out there until I pass the sign, iove seen too many people go out and do 100kmh only to see the speed van in the 60kmh zone and I laugh.

AndrewJRenko

GavRedKing wrote: »

Standing in the junction would be dangerous and stupid and would probably get you moved on by the Gardai, you'd have the Gardai on the scene but not for the reasons you'd want. :pac:

Also, I cant imagine anyone with that much spare time, doing their own police work during the working day.

That's why I said 'Stand AT the junction', not 'Stand IN the junction'.

And do you really not know anyone who could give 20 minutes a day for three days spread over a couple of weeks to deal with a serious problem?

They could just stay off boards.ie for those days to save themselves 20 minutes down the line. It's just a matter of what is important for them.

the beer revolu

AndrewJRenko wrote: »

That's why I said 'Stand AT the junction', not 'Stand IN the junction'.

And do you really not know anyone who could give 20 minutes a day for three days spread over a couple of weeks to deal with a serious problem?

They could just stay off boards.ie for those days to save themselves 20 minutes down the line. It's just a matter of what is important for them.

Slight problem. A video camera or phone won't calculate the speed of cars. The "evidence" would be useless.

the beer revolu

While I agree that speeding is a problem generally, I think a far more serious problem is cars breaking red lights and in particular at pedestrian crossings.

It's only a matter of time before a pedestrian is seriously hurt or killed in the city centre by a motorist breaking the lights.

How often have you scolded yourself for going through a "ripe orange" light only to see the two cars behind you sailing through the red light?

Ludo

the beer revolu wrote: »

While I agree that speeding is a problem generally, I think a far more serious problem is cars breaking red lights and in particular at pedestrian crossings.

It's only a matter of time before a pedestrian is seriously hurt or killed in the city centre by a motorist breaking the lights.

How often have you scolded yourself for going through a "ripe orange" light only to see the two cars behind you sailing through the red light?

Definitely agree with this. Very noticible for last few years and seems to be getting worse. If I am first at a red light now, I deliberately delay for a couple of seconds before pulling off to allow any light breakers thru. It has actually saved me from a possible collision a couple of times already on one particular junction I go thru every day as I know loads of people break the lights there.

zilog_jones

I'm still surprised they haven't introduced red light cameras here - I know they're not cheap to install, but I'm certain they'd make a profit in certain parts of Cork.

Zerbini Blewitt

Let’s say for example that the OP does mean a right turn for dulux. There are no lane markings for a right turn there (I think) but I suppose technically it is still a legal right turn.

However, if it is a stressful manoeuvre (or you find it to be) there is no reason you must make this turn daily. Personally I would never dream of making a right turn there (esp 5 days a week at rush hour) because it breaks the first rule of defensive driving i.e. treating every other driver as medically blind, incompetent, and inattentive.

Instead, simply turn right at the lights for Blackpool shopping centre. Drive around the ‘block’ at the back; re-enter the N20 at McDonalds and then a straightforward left into Dulux (with the added bonus of no traffic behind you making this left – they’ll be just leaving the lights when you turn left).

zilog_jones

If it's something like that, I'd be inclined to agree - I generally avoid right turns on busy roads like that where there are no lights or dedicated lanes. It's just not worth the stress and hassle.

AndrewJRenko

the beer revolu wrote: »

Slight problem. A video camera or phone won't calculate the speed of cars. The "evidence" would be useless.

You can get a pretty clear measure on the speed if you know the distance between two markers on the road or two lamp posts and you time the car in between. It probably wouldn't be good enough for a speeding conviction, but it would help in a dangerous or careless driving conviction.

j8wk2feszrnpao

GavRedKing wrote: »

I've driven out there doing the speed limit, I think its 60kmh

How do you know you're doing the limit of you think it's 60kmh :pac:

andekwarhola

mikeecho wrote: »

I know a few people, including family members who are always complaining about aggressive drivers, yet I very rarely encounter such problems, despite driving the same roads.

My conclusion.. the people who complain are actually woeful drivers who can't maintain a constant speed, eccessively slow down for trivial hazards, don't indicate in time, and generally have poor driving skills, and i notice this being a passenger in the car with them.

Sometimes, it's not the other driver... it's YOU.

It's not often you see a post that on one hand is correct but on the other is completely wrong.

GavRedKing

munstermagic11 wrote: »

How do you know you're doing the limit of you think it's 60kmh :pac:

Its 100% under 100kmh and I'm not out there all that, maybe 5 or 6 times a month heading to the tunnel from that direction, but I think its 60kmh up until the 100kmh sign.

Someone else may confirm the actual limit but I've passed a speed van in the slower section before the 100kmh sign a few times and have never been done while others speed pass.

I'll be out there on Saturday, I'll report my findings.

the beer revolu

AndrewJRenko wrote: »

You can get a pretty clear measure on the speed if you know the distance between two markers on the road or two lamp posts and you time the car in between. It probably wouldn't be good enough for a speeding conviction, but it would help in a dangerous or careless driving conviction.

Good luck with that.
No court in the land would convict for speed related dangerous driving based on video evidence shot by a member of the public.
Is the camera calibrated?
Is the punter professionally trained to operate the camera correctly?
I'm sure a half competent solicitor could come up with several more reasons for the "evidence" to be deemed worthless.

AndrewJRenko

the beer revolu wrote: »

Good luck with that.
No court in the land would convict for speed related dangerous driving based on video evidence shot by a member of the public.
Is the camera calibrated?
Is the punter professionally trained to operate the camera correctly?
I'm sure a half competent solicitor could come up with several more reasons for the "evidence" to be deemed worthless.

Speed indeed would be difficult, though if the situation is as the OP described, there may well be dangerous driving going on. It would be the same as using dashcam or helmetcam evidence. I've had fines/points issued as FPN based on similar video evidence, though not for speeding offences.

mikeecho

pwurple wrote: »

Or, going from that post, it's possible YOU are an aggressive driver.

Maybe I'm an observant driver, who's understands road craft and car craft, maybe I'm someone who able to read the road and other drivers, thus causing no obstruction to others, and I don't get stressed or worked up about other drivers.

Maybe I'm just observant enough to see other drivers poor abilities, and drive according, without causing issue to others.

Life is short, I don't let other drivers stress me out.
People that constantly complain about aggressive drivers, need to consider their own abilities.
Are they the obstruction on the road ?
Are they the incompetent driver?
Are they the inconsiderate driver?
Are they the Aßhole ?
Are they the problem?

benjamin d

flaneur wrote: »

I'm getting really fed up with this.

Every morning while trying to turn right on the 50km/H zone of the N20 through Blackpool....

...spending the next 1km to my right turn driving on my bumper flashing and beeping!

While I'm not familiar with this road at all, am I right in saying that you're sitting in the right lane (the overtaking lane) for a kilometre before you make a turn? That is an excessive amount of time to be hogging the overtaking lane, and you probably appear as either completely oblivious to other road users or as someone trying to police other drivers. Just because you're going the speed limit doesn't mean you can or should dictate who can and can't pass you.

As I said though, I don't know the road so I may be wrong.

Ludo

mikeecho wrote: »

Maybe I'm an observant driver, who's understands road craft and car craft, maybe I'm someone who able to read the road and other drivers, thus causing no obstruction to others, and I don't get stressed or worked up about other drivers.

Maybe I'm just observant enough to see other drivers poor abilities, and drive according, without causing issue to others.

Life is short, I don't let other drivers stress me out.
People that constantly complain about aggressive drivers, need to consider their own abilities.
Are they the obstruction on the road ?
Are they the incompetent driver?
Are they the inconsiderate driver?
Are they the Aßhole ?
Are they the problem?

Yeah... It's you!

the beer revolu

AndrewJRenko wrote: »

Speed indeed would be difficult, though if the situation is as the OP described, there may well be dangerous driving going on. It would be the same as using dashcam or helmetcam evidence. I've had fines/points issued as FPN based on similar video evidence, though not for speeding offences.

You've gotten points based on evidence presented to the guards by a member of the public?
Did this involve an accident?

AndrewJRenko

the beer revolu wrote: »

You've gotten points based on evidence presented to the guards by a member of the public?
Did this involve an accident?

Other way round - I've presented video evidence to Gardai that resulted in points/fines issued to drivers.

the beer revolu

AndrewJRenko wrote: »

Other way round - I've presented video evidence to Gardai that resulted in points/fines issued to drivers.

I'm amazed at that.
Are you sure that you weren't just fobbed off?
Surely you have no way of knowing that points were actually issued other than the gardaí telling you that they were?

I can't imagine the Gardaí entertaining every dash cam owner who's peeved at another drivers behaviour.

I could well be wrong on this. I'm just trying to get my head around it.

zilog_jones

You are totally allowed to report dangerous driving to the guards - what do you think Traffic Watch is for? Having video evidence of incidents would help immensely.