Why do slow/nervous drivers use backroads?

DaveyDave

This is really getting on my nerves lately. I drive the back roads to and from work, specifically the R149 from Lucan village to Clonee. As far as back roads to it's not bad. It's wide enough for box trucks and vans so no issues driving cars of any size. There's two tight bridges and two nice ever so slightly windy S bends.

I'm sick of driving 45kph on a 60kph road. I take the back roads to work because I fortunately work outside of rush hour but I seem to get stuck at least once a week. Another issue I have is people braking because there's a car approaching in the opposite lane, on the straight!!!

If it's too difficult don't bloody drive that way, take a main road. A result of being stuck behind these morons there's usually an Audi or BMW driver up my arse as if it's my fault! Yesterday someone was so close I could barely see their lights and they kept backing off then tailgating again as if it's going to solve anything.

Adaptive cruise control is one of my favourite features because of these drivers. I don't road rage or flash lights or anything, it's difficult to stay calm but I little patience for these drivers.

Sorry just had to rant there.

marketty

The problem with that back road in particular is that the main road alternative is the M50, plus the section between Clonee/Blanch and Lucan is of course where the toll is. As a result the back road you are talking about and surrounding roads get a stupid amount of traffic between those drivers who are avoiding paying the toll for using ~3km of motorway, and those too nervous for motorways.

kona

I feel your pain, morons braking for absoloutley everything.
Nervous drivers says it all really.

CSSE09

I take the same road to work outside of rush hour as well and see the opposite problem, the amount of near misses on that road is unreal, I bought a dashcam because of that road. Given the length of the road I wouldn't be raging over it, 2 minutes isn't a big deal.

Isambard

the trouble with back roads, is most people live on back roads. Leave home earlier.

DaveyDave

CSSE09 wrote: »

I take the same road to work outside of rush hour as well and see the opposite problem, the amount of near misses on that road is unreal, I bought a dashcam because of that road. Given the length of the road I wouldn't be raging over it, 2 minutes isn't a big deal.

Not a huge delay really but most of the time it's the whole distance from Clonee right into Lucan, 4-5 minutes is a fair amount of time on a short journey, there's simply no reason to be slowing down on a straight road while already going 15 under the limit.

I wouldn't be road raging or anything, I just set adaptive cruise on and let out a big sigh. If I wanted to take half an hour to get home I'd be cycling! It just seems to be happening multiple times a week now and it's getting frustrating.

Isambard wrote: »

the trouble with back roads, is most people live on back roads. Leave home earlier.

I don't need to leave home earlier because I'm always early. I'm not in a rush or anything I just don't want to drive under the limit, the point is people really shouldn't be driving slow on roads with heavy traffic. Some days there's a huge queue of cars because it causes a bottle neck. Plus it screws up my fuel consumption going from 45-50-45-40-45 rather than just cruising at a constant 60..

The few houses on this particular road aren't actually relevant to the slow drivers...

People who drive slow are a genuine danger.

colm_mcm

Isambard wrote: »

most people live on back roads.

No they don't!

martyc5674

DaveyDave wrote: »

I'm not in a rush or anything I just don't want to drive under the limit,

People who drive slow are a genuine danger.

Your supposed to drive under the limit... that’s why its called a limit!

People driving slow are certainly less of a danger than those driving fast, at least they are driving within their comfort zone unlike others.

I think you should accept that your commute takes longer than you would like.

stephenmarr

So all above were fantastic drivers from the second you stepped into a car.

Get over yourselves, no matter whos in front of you, you have to be responsible for your own driving and keeping a safe distance.

secman

DaveyDave wrote: »

This is really getting on my nerves lately. I drive the back roads to and from work, specifically the R149 from Lucan village to Clonee. As far as back roads to it's not bad. It's wide enough for box trucks and vans so no issues driving cars of any size. There's two tight bridges and two nice ever so slightly windy S bends.

I'm sick of driving 45kph on a 60kph road. I take the back roads to work because I fortunately work outside of rush hour but I seem to get stuck at least once a week. Another issue I have is people braking because there's a car approaching in the opposite lane, on the straight!!!

If it's too difficult don't bloody drive that way, take a main road. A result of being stuck behind these morons there's usually an Audi or BMW driver up my arse as if it's my fault! Yesterday someone was so close I could barely see their lights and they kept backing off then tailgating again as if it's going to solve anything.

Adaptive cruise control is one of my favourite features because of these drivers. I don't road rage or flash lights or anything, it's difficult to stay calm but I little patience for these drivers.

Sorry just had to rant there.

Probably because they are more nervous on motorways , i feel your pain.

Isambard

colm_mcm wrote: »

No they don't!

well very few live on the M50 for sure.

colm_mcm

Isambard wrote: »

well very few live on the M50 for sure.

So we have motorways and then just backroads. My mistake!

frozenfrozen

martyc5674 wrote: »

Your supposed to drive under the limit... that’s why its called a limit!

People driving slow are certainly less of a danger than those driving fast, at least they are driving within their comfort zone unlike others.

I think you should accept that your commute takes longer than you would like.

If the speed limit is outside someone's comfort zone they don't sound like very safe drivers

DaveyDave

stephenmarr wrote: »

So all above were fantastic drivers from the second you stepped into a car.

Get over yourselves, no matter whos in front of you, you have to be responsible for your own driving and keeping a safe distance.

Nobody was saying otherwise, who's being irresponsible? I actually increase the distance on my cruise control to 3 car lengths on the back roads because I don't want to get to close and make people more nervous or be intimidating. I wouldn't want to put pressure on anyone else.

No speeding, road rage, tailgating, using the horn, flashing lights etc so I don't know why people are reading this post wrong. Part of the road towards Clonee actually goes up to 80. I'm allowed be frustrated being stuck behind someone doing 45 on an 80 road!

Whiplashy

I'm a nervous driver. I usually do about 60 on the 80 roads. I live on a back road so I have no option but to use them. My nerves are due partly to a crash I was in a few years ago, and partly due to the way other drivers carry on on back roads. I do feel sorry for the people I hold up, especially if they're on the way to work, but I need to use the roads too. A few minutes isn't the end of the world, and you can overtake on the next straight.

doolox

..... it is often wiser to pull into the nearest gateway and let them off.
Chances are they will force the slow numpty to pull in and let them by and you wont be involved in any ensuing carnage that may occur.

I do this often on motorways and side roads when stuck with super slow numpty in front of me and speedy gonzales trying to perform amateur back surgery on my ass.......with a 1 ton car.

The dash cam is a good idea.....post the results to Lucan Garda and lets get these slow numptys off the road.

atilladehun

I often try to imagine the slow drivers as someone I know who might be nervous. I just become sympathetic then and let them at it.

martyc5674

frozenfrozen wrote: »

If the speed limit is outside someone's comfort zone they don't sound like very safe drivers

The speed limit is not a target,its a limit and for very good reason,road users are not expected to travel at the speed limit to prevent other road users from getting frustrated, It’s always safer for people to drive within their comfort zones whatever that may be. If they are going slower than I’d like I’ll pass them at the next safe opportunity.

Steve

Nothing against people who are nervous or have to drive at 40kph around bends - that's fine - I understand - but for the sake of all the rest of the road users stuck behind you, please don't accelerate to the speed limit as soon as you hit a straight so that we can't overtake!! only to have to look at your brake lights at the next 'bend'.
Stay slow and let people pass, it will make everyone's journey easier.

joujoujou

martyc5674 wrote: »

The speed limit is not a target [...]

It's not a crime either. :P

Optimalprimerib

When someone is being tailgated on a dark road and a car is coming the other way, the brightness from the car in front and behind, can blind them so that the road disappears for a seond. That's why they break.

You drive the speed you feel safe at and comfortable at. Never feel pressure from idiots behind you.

exaisle

DaveyDave wrote: »

<snip> I actually increase the distance on my cruise control to 3 car lengths on the back roads <snip>

Total braking distance at 45kph is about 20metres in ideal conditions...

Three car lengths is about 12 metres or thereabouts assuming your car is about 4 metres long.

Some might say that you're a dangerous driver, sir.

If I see you tailgating me in my rear view mirror, I will slow down, not quicken up...so back off!

bladespin

That's to a dead stop, the car in front must have some seriously impressive brakes.

That said I tend to either pass when I can or just back off, pressurizing will achieve nothing but more frustration.

exaisle

bladespin wrote: »

That's to a dead stop, the car in front must have some seriously impressive brakes.

...or gets hit by something coming in the opposite direction, or hits a wall or pier...

Wibbs

exaisle wrote: »

...or gets hit by something coming in the opposite direction, or hits a wall or pier...

or any number of fear mongering panic merchant likelihoods. Who the hell is hitting piers anyway? The comparison of someone hitting you head on has bugger all bearing with your stopping distance. You could be actually stopped and still be hit. Oh noes. Never leave the house.

Personally I would be of the opinion that overly nervous drivers should not be on the roads in charge of a car weighing well over a tonne. Ditto for incompetent and inconsistent drivers. The mix of the two is a disaster. the "nervous of bends" types are a danger to others.

We NCT our cars, but for me it would be just as if not more prudent to regularly "NCT" our drivers. It's nearly always the car seat to steering wheel meat based interface that causes accidents. In that regard autonomous cars can't come quickly enough.

Neilw

Steve wrote: »

Nothing against people who are nervous or have to drive at 40kph around bends - that's fine - I understand - but for the sake of all the rest of the road users stuck behind you, please don't accelerate to the speed limit as soon as you hit a straight so that we can't overtake!! only to have to look at your brake lights at the next 'bend'.
Stay slow and let people pass, it will make everyone's journey easier.

What does my head in is the comfort braking, braking so lightly that there is no reduction in speed but your lights come on at any bend or oncoming car.

I'm also of the opinion that a nervous driver is not a good driver.
Confidence helps a lot, not being cocky or over confident but knowing your own ability to deal with a situation.

meeeeh

I'm not scared to drive fast but some local roads have speed limit of 80 when it should be at least 20 less. Sometimes is also about using some cop on not just religiously following speed limits. That being said slow Nissan Micra's can be proper road menace and you have to be extra careful around them. You know that their driver probably shouldn't be driving for the last decade.

Anyway it's something you have to take into account and probably still a lot less dangerous than tailgating morons.

bladespin

exaisle wrote:

...or gets hit by something coming in the opposite direction, or hits a wall or pier...

Doubtful if they're travelling at 45kmh

spurious

If some windy road has had an 80kph limit on it and I don't feel I could stop in time for anything unexpected round corners, I will do 60, maybe even 50. The locals may be all 'Ah sure it's only Seanín ever drives up that road and he's at his sister's in Dublin' but I cannot know that and will drive at what I consider a safe speed.

I will always pull in to let the loons who want to do 80+ pass me however.

alta stare

I see the opposite to the OP.

I live on a backroad and iv yet to see slow and nervous drivers on it, in fact i see fast and dangerous drivers. The speed some of them go past my house (which is also near a bend) is scary. The road always has walkers on it and i am shocked someone has not been knocked down or a car hasnt ended up in the ditches.

meeeeh

spurious wrote: »

If some windy road has had an 80kph limit on it and I don't feel I could stop in time for anything unexpected round corners, I will do 60, maybe even 50. The locals may be all 'Ah sure it's only Seanín ever drives up that road and he's at his sister's in Dublin' but I cannot know that and will drive at what I consider a safe speed.

I will always pull in to let the loons who want to do 80+ pass me however.

About ten years ago we were driving in Cork on a road full of pot holes. Once we had to stop because someone had rope tied onto the farm gates and to the fence accross the road so they could keep the gate open. The road was classed as 80kph. I don't think it was possible to drive more than 30 unless you wanted to damage the car.

Seweryn

frozenfrozen wrote: »

If the speed limit is outside someone's comfort zone they don't sound like very safe drivers

Really? I would feel challenged trying to stay within my comfort zone driving up to the speed limit on some of the roads.



However, every qualified driver should be able to stay cool and calm driving on that road:



It all depends what road and what speed limit we are talking about. I guess backroads are more of the first scenario and they are all 80 km/h by default which is crazy for some of the roads...

exaisle

Wibbs wrote: »

The comparison of someone hitting you head on has bugger all bearing with your stopping distance.

Somebody hitting the driver in front of you does though...I think you're missing my point....It doesn't matter why they have to stop. The point I'm making is that 3 car lengths is too short a stopping distance at 45kph.

Having said that, I get p1ssed off at slow/nervous/incompetent drivers who brake at the drop of a hat too...but the unfortunate truth is that they're as entitled to be there as anybody else.

The number of times I've been stuck behind some oul' biddy or oul' lad pottering along at 40kph or slower on a 100kph road in the last month even would cause me to run out of fingers and toes :-)

The concept road etiquette of pulling in to let faster drivers past seems alien here, more's the pity...

frozenfrozen

Seweryn wrote: »

Really? I would feel challenged trying to stay within my comfort zone driving up to the speed limit on some of the roads.



However, every qualified driver should be able to stay cool and calm driving on that road:



It all depends what road and what speed limit we are talking about. I guess backroads are more of the first scenario and they are all 80 km/h by default which is crazy for some of the roads...

We are talking about a specific road read the thread and don't talk to me again

Reati

frozenfrozen wrote: »

We are talking about a specific road read the thread and don't talk to me again

Sounds like you need a "safe space"...

frozenfrozen

martyc5674 wrote: »

The speed limit is not a target,its a limit and for very good reason,road users are not expected to travel at the speed limit to prevent other road users from getting frustrated, It’s always safer for people to drive within their comfort zones whatever that may be. If they are going slower than I’d like I’ll pass them at the next safe opportunity.

It's a limit not a target who had that on their bingo

I didn't say anything about making people do the limit

If someone has a 'comfort zone' they aren't a safe driver. There's no room for a panic attack in System. That was the point I was making but well done trotting out it's a limit not a target

frozenfrozen

Reati wrote: »

Sounds like you need a "safe space"...

Don't want to waste my time since the direction he's trying to bring the thread has been done to death.

Fr Tod Umptious

The great thing about me is that I'm always the best and safest driver on the road.

When on back roads I'm stuck behind idiots comfort breaking, slowing down at every bend and every time they meet a car even though there is loads of space, only doing 60k in a 80k zone when they could at least be doing 75k wtc.

Also when I am on 80k back roads, when I'm tired, or have the kids in the car, or have a heavy load, or when the weather is not great and I'm doing 60k I have these idiots on my tail, putting me under pressure to go faster, what's the big deal, the 80 is a limit not a target.

Voodoomelon

The standard of driving i've seen in Dundalk this week has been the worst i've ever seen in ten years. In my opinion there seems to be a lot more nervous/inept middle aged people on the roads than normal; a very generalised statement yes but Jesus the hold ups in all directions caused by them, in the huge majority.

Dawdling well under the limit, braking braking braking then indicating, taking turn offs at near stand stills, driving with no lights on, traversing roundabouts with no clue what they're at, braking at oncoming traffic, driving around carparks oblivious to others, parking all over the place. My blood pressure has been through the roof the last few weeks and i'm a relaxed driver.

Thankfully in another few days they'll disappear again and can crawl back under what ever rocks they've been under.

jelutong

And a Happy Christmas to you.

Truckermal

When the car in front of you goes around a gentle bend or meets another car and needs to brake yet you are driving a truck grossing 45 Ton but don't need to break you know to back off because they cannot drive! I work nights now as it's much easier not sharing the roads with these dopes..

alta stare

Besides the standard of driving has anyone noticed the huge amount of people driving with blown bulbs??? I was behind an mpv the other morning which had no working brake lights, i would hazard a guess it wont be long before they are rear ended.

johnnyskeleton

frozenfrozen wrote: »

If the speed limit is outside someone's comfort zone they don't sound like very safe drivers

???

You're supposed to drive a) at or below the speed limit and b) in any event, at a speed you judge to be safe in the particular circumstances.

I can drive at 120km without any discomfort, but that doesnt mean that I shouldnt slow down when such is required.

An example is Ranelagh. IMO they shouldnt allow parking on Ranelagh because they block the cycle lane, there are pedestrians everywhere and the road narrows in parts such that two cars can only just pass if there is a car parked on the road. The speed limit is 50kmph but I dont think ive ever reached that until Im clear of the village, even when there is no one ahead of me. Driving about 30kmph will not allow you to reach in sufficient time to avoid hittig a pedestrian jumping out from a row of cars or the cars coming towards you swerving into your lane without a care. And that stuff does happen.

So by your logic Im not a very safe driver because I dont always pelt along at the speed limit whenener I feel that a stretch of road is risky!

Wibbs

The average person engages far less with the mechanics of their cars than they used to. Well on the "old days" they almost had no choice to engage mechanically as old cars needed quite regular attention. I remember my dad with the bonnet up on the regular, checking oil, fiddling with points etc. Today cars are much more reliable and in many ways more closed off to the average motorist, engine bays covered with plastic panels etc, so many just drive and expect it to just work and shure an all the NCT will spot any faults. Once a year.

johnnyskeleton

Truckermal wrote: »

When the car in front of you goes around a gentle bend or meets another car and needs to brake yet you are driving a truck grossing 45 Ton but don't need to break you know to back off because they cannot drive! I work nights now as it's much easier not sharing the roads with these dopes..

I was rear ended by a truck driver who didnt think he needed to slow down approaching a roundabout and subsequently stop when there was traffic alread on said roundabout. I was driving my sisters polo so the impact shot me about 2m forward narrowly missing the van on the roundabout (and likely death).

The polo was almost written off. The large truck suffered almost no damage at all.

People driving massive vehicles feel safe doing stupid stuff because they usually arent the ones who die in a crash.

You are right that some people slow down in circumstances where you would not. But maybe you should consider that swinging a large truck around corners and expecting the other car to watch out for you is more unacceptable than driving safely at all times.

Isambard

johnnyskeleton wrote: »

I was rear ended by a truck driver who didnt think he needed to slow down approaching a roundabout and subsequently stop when there was traffic alread on said roundabout. I was driving my sisters polo so the impact shot me about 2m forward narrowly missing the van on the roundabout (and likely death).

The polo was almost written off. The large truck suffered almost no damage at all.

People driving massive vehicles feel safe doing stupid stuff because they usually arent the ones who die in a crash.

You are right that some people slow down in circumstances where you would not. But maybe you should consider that swinging a large truck around corners and expecting the other car to watch out for you is more unacceptable than driving safely at all times.

one swallow doesn't make a summer. Please don't generalise and tar all truckers with the same brush

If you only shot you forward 2m, the the likelihood of death seems small to me.

mirrorwall14

I can get over the slowness and braking though it does drive me a little demented depending on my mood. However its the ones who literally drive between 45-60 regardless of limit that drives me insane. Drive between Maynooth and Kilcock regularly, there isn’t really a passing point and it’s reasonably short so I tend to stick on cruise control and just chill behind the dawdler. However it’s when we reach the town environs and they speed up past the 60 or stay at or beyond 60 the whole way into town breaking the speed limit that really wrecks my head. I’m like seriously, can you only drive at that speed? It’s nuts.

And defeats the whole ‘the speed limit is not a target’ arguement by this type of driver. Limits don’t apply when they are ‘comfortable’ apparently.

johnnyskeleton

Isambard wrote: »

one swallow doesn't make a summer. Please don't generalise and tar all truckers with the same brush

If you only shot you forward 2m, the the likelihood of death seems small to me.

Well I wasnt talking about all truckers I was talking about the other poster who is bragging about how he doesnt need to slow down in his massive 45 tonne truck. He seemed to think it was because he was a better driver but in fact its because the bigger vehicle allows him to bully smaller cars off the road.

And if knocking a car 2m into oncoming traffic doesnt seem that dangerous to you, then Id be concerned.

Riva10

Isambard wrote: »

one swallow doesn't make a summer. Please don't generalise and tar all truckers with the same brush

If you only shot you forward 2m, the the likelihood of death seems small to me.

Supposing that 2 mtrs put the poster into the path of another HGV travelling at speed on the roundabout. Not everything is as seems at first glance/read.

the_pen_turner

johnnyskeleton wrote: »

Well I wasnt talking about all truckers I was talking about the other poster who is bragging about how he doesnt need to slow down in his massive 45 tonne truck. He seemed to think it was because he was a better driver but in fact its because the bigger vehicle allows him to bully smaller cars off the road.

And if knocking a car 2m into oncoming traffic doesnt seem that dangerous to you, then Id be concerned.

but that's not what they are saying I think. if a truck can safely go around a bend at 60km for example then they would slow down to that obviously. but a car should be able to go around that bend faster

going around a bend in a truck faster than that slow car doesn't mean that the truck was going too fast. it could be perfectly safe speed for the truck

if you are driving along and a car has to slow down but a truck doesn't (but safely) then the car driver is seriously lacking in confidence

the_pen_turner

Riva10 wrote: »

Supposing that 2 mtrs put the poster into the path of another HGV travelling at speed on the roundabout. Not everything is as seems at first glance/read.

yes that's true but the same would apply if you were hit but a tiny car and it pushed you 2feet forward.