Slow drivers.... Slow for a reason...

Micky 32 · 10-06-2019 01:47PM

mgn wrote: »

No problem with slow drivers but is it much to ask them to check their mirrors and when the see a few cars behind them trying to overtake,pull over for a few seconds,that's all it takes.Makes everyone's life less stressful especially people that has to drive long distances every day.

Yep, if i’m driving slow for any reason i would always pull over and let someone pass as a courtesy, a lot are thankful and will flash the hazards. . I’m guessing a lot of posters on this thread wouldn’t, i’m getting the “ oh they can wait” attitude.

Duckjob · 10-06-2019 02:02PM

facehugger99 wrote: »

I've witnessed people overtaking a slow driver in a dangerous manner (approach to a corner or crest of a hill etc) - it's usually because they've been stuck behind someone traveling at 60kph on a 100kph road for miles.

i'd rather not be coming around that corner when it happens.

Of course you can sit in an ivory tower and pretend a slow and inconsiderate driver is within their rights to constantly have a tailback of cars behind them, but it's not really reflective of the frustration these guys are causing on the roads.

Ivory tower LOL . I've been driving for over 25 years.

My posts are not about defending anyone's right to creep along - It's about trying to get people to see the bigger picture of what road safety is about. It's about people adapting conditions to drive safely no matter what. I'll say it again - you were given the pink slip in your pocket on condition that you drive in that manner.

Many times I've been being stuck behind someone slower when you want to go faster and I know well it can be frustrating.

You just have to resolve to be the best driver you can be, to keep your cool and do your bit to ensure everybody gets home safely at the end of the day.

The fact is when you come up behind someone is little slower, there IS no danger there until YOU make the decision to overtake dangerously.

When you lose your cool and make the decision to do a dangerous overtake, you make the decision to endanger everybody in the vicinity, not just the person that has annoyed you.

mgn · 10-06-2019 02:04PM

Micky 32 wrote: »

Yep, if i’m driving slow for any reason i would always pull over and let someone pass as a courtesy, a lot are thankful and will flash the hazards. . I’m guessing a lot of posters on this thread wouldn’t, i’m getting the “ oh they can wait” attitude.

It's not much to ask.The same so called careful drivers are not to bothered about the speed limit going through small villages or towns either,the just carry on at the speed the were doing all along.

Micky 32 · 10-06-2019 02:09PM

Duckjob wrote: »

Ivory tower LOL . I've been driving for over 25 years.

My posts are not about defending anyone's right to creep along - It's about trying to get people to see the bigger picture of what road safety is about. It's about people adapting conditions to drive safely no matter what. I'll say it again - you were given the pink slip in your pocket on condition that you drive in that manner.

Many times I've been being stuck behind someone slower when you want to go faster and I know well it can be frustrating.

You just have to resolve to be the best driver you can be, to keep your cool and do your bit to ensure everybody gets home safely at the end of the day.

The fact is when you come up behind someone is little slower, there IS no danger there until YOU make the choice to overtake dangerously.

When you lose your cool and make the decision to do a dangerous overtake, you make the decision endanger everybody in the vicinity, not just the person that has annoyed you.

I appreciate the post, but you’re not taking in to account the human weakness, impatience. If you want to drive slow not a problem but a lot of drivers could pull over a little. Personally my patience is ok and i’d never dangerously overtake.

mgn · 10-06-2019 02:11PM

Duckjob wrote: »

Ivory tower LOL . I've been driving for over 25 years.

My posts are not about defending anyone's right to creep along - It's about trying to get people to see the bigger picture of what road safety is about. It's about people adapting conditions to drive safely no matter what. I'll say it again - you were given the pink slip in your pocket on condition that you drive in that manner.

Many times I've been being stuck behind someone slower when you want to go faster and I know well it can be frustrating.

You just have to resolve to be the best driver you can be, to keep your cool and do your bit to ensure everybody gets home safely at the end of the day.

The fact is when you come up behind someone is little slower, there IS no danger there until YOU make the decision to overtake dangerously.

When you lose your cool and make the decision to do a dangerous overtake, you make the decision to endanger everybody in the vicinity, not just the person that has annoyed you.

Nobody would get frustrated or lose their cool if the slow driver pulled over for a few seconds.And a lot of these careful drivers that were giving a pink slip,never passed a test in the first place.

Duckjob · 10-06-2019 02:13PM

mgn wrote: »

It's not much to ask.The same so called careful drivers are not to bothered about the speed limit going through small villages or towns either,the just carry on at the speed the were doing all along.

Don't know whether that's directed at me or not but I'm very careful about adjusting my speed down to limits going through towns and villages.

As result I often have morons nearly trying to push their way in my back window because i'm disturbing their *entitlement* to blast through said villages at whatever speed they feel like.

SirGerryAdams · 10-06-2019 02:15PM

stop animal cruelty wrote: »

Listening to the local radio station today and a lady text in.

She has to make a 20km drive from her home to school, for her child who is autistic child 5 days a week. She drives under a certain speed so not to upset/trigger off her son.

Everyday. Everyday, she says she get hooted at and is the victim of road rage from other drivers. She said the beeping and hooting distresses her son.

My heart actually broke for her. What a distressing suitation to be in.

I've posted this so to make others aware that maybe not all slow drivers are pain in the hole and should get off the road.

I'm guilty myself for road rage, but this really makes me think twice, we really don't know the full story. If your in a rush or late for work.... That's ur responsibility... Leave 10min earlier next time.

Let's just be more aware of people who have it tougher than us.

Put a sign up on your car then and say you have an autistic kid and you drive slow. People wouldn't beep then.

In any case, 99%+ of cases of hearse drivers are old people that shouldn't be on the road.

beauf · 10-06-2019 02:16PM

Micky 32 wrote: »

.....If people stuck closer to the speed limits instead of doing 70 in a 100 etc there would be less “ dangerous overtaking”.

70% the speed limit.

Micky 32 wrote: »

... I also drive in the states a lot and on the parkways 55 is the limit and 40 mph is the minimum,

72% the speed limit.

beauf · 10-06-2019 02:19PM

SirGerryAdams wrote: »

Put a sign up on your car then and say you have an autistic kid and you drive slow. People wouldn't beep then.

Course they would. No one cars, about anyone else. People give L plater's no consideration at all.

SirGerryAdams wrote: »

In any case, 99%+ of cases of hearse drivers are old people that shouldn't be on the road.

...I have no idea what this is trying to say...

mgn · 10-06-2019 02:22PM

Duckjob wrote: »

Don't know whether that's directed at me or not but I'm very careful about adjusting my speed down to limits going through towns and villages.

As result I often have morons nearly trying to push their way in my back window because i'm disturbing their *entitlement* to blast through said villages at whatever speed they feel like.

Not directed at you.What i'm trying to say is the slow driver has no problem speeding through a village or town.

beauf · 10-06-2019 02:24PM

mgn wrote: »

Not directed at you.What i'm trying to say is the slow driver has no problem speeding through a village or town.

in fairness the stats suggest the majority of people have the same issue.

SirGerryAdams · 10-06-2019 02:29PM

Everyone talking about being delayed is only a minor convenience...how about the slow driver pull in and let everyone pass and let them have the inconvenience and let the other 5+ cars go upon their day. People have busy lives, 2 minutes here and there and it all adds up.

beauf · 10-06-2019 02:37PM

SirGerryAdams wrote: »

Everyone talking about being delayed is only a minor convenience...how about the slow driver pull in and let everyone pass and let them have the inconvenience and let the other 5+ cars go upon their day. People have busy lives, 2 minutes here and there and it all adds up.

Usually the difference is negligible.

6 mins extra over lunch. How many will be bothered about that.

mgn · 10-06-2019 02:39PM

beauf wrote: »

in fairness the stats suggest the majority of people have the same issue.

So the slow driver drives from A to B at the one speed of 60km regardless of the limit and is called a careful driver.

AndrewJRenko · 10-06-2019 02:42PM

facehugger99 wrote: »

I've witnessed people overtaking a slow driver in a dangerous manner (approach to a corner or crest of a hill etc) - it's usually because they've been stuck behind someone traveling at 60kph on a 100kph road for miles.

i'd rather not be coming around that corner when it happens.

Of course you can sit in an ivory tower and pretend a slow and inconsiderate driver is within their rights to constantly have a tailback of cars behind them, but it's not really reflective of the frustration these guys are causing on the roads.

The problem here isn't the slow driver - the problem is the dangerous overtaking. The fundamental basic rule of safe driving is about choosing a safe place to overtake. Any driver unwilling or unable to do this should hand over the keys to a competent driver.

mgn · 10-06-2019 02:44PM

AndrewJRenko wrote: »

The problem here isn't the slow driver - the problem is the dangerous overtaking. The fundamental basic rule of safe driving is about choosing a safe place to overtake. Any driver unwilling or unable to do this should hand over the keys to a competent driver.

No need for dangerous overtaking if the slow driver pulled over.

SirGerryAdams · 10-06-2019 02:45PM

beauf wrote: »

Usually the difference is negligible.

6 mins extra over lunch. How many will be bothered about that.

Let the slow driver pull in and be inconvenienced and let the multiple people behind get on with their busy lives.

beauf · 10-06-2019 02:51PM

mgn wrote: »

So the slow driver drives from A to B at the one speed of 60km regardless of the limit and is called a careful driver.

What is a safe driver? I assume its someone who isn't repeatedly involved in lots of accidents. I suppose you have to see is there a correlation between drivers driving too slowly or driving too fast and lots of accidents. Maybe you could find some stats on this.

But I just said that most speed in urban roads. That its not just slow drivers.

A recent RSA study of more than 12,000 motorists shows we have a problem with speeding. More than half of drivers were recorded breaking the posted speed limit on urban roads and one-in-five exceeded the posted limit on rural roads.

https://www.independent.ie/life/motoring/speeding-penalties-why-it-is-unfair-to-say-that-gardai-are-shooting-fish-in-a-barrel-30000099.html

mgn · 10-06-2019 02:51PM

beauf wrote: »

Usually the difference is negligible.

6 mins extra over lunch. How many will be bothered about that.

What a ridiculous statement to make that people are speeding to get to their lunch,people have meetings,appointments getting to work on time that may have being delayed elsewhere

beauf · 10-06-2019 02:53PM

SirGerryAdams wrote: »

Let the slow driver pull in and be inconvenienced and let the multiple people behind get on with their busy lives.

I think if 2 mins makes that much difference to your journey, the problem isn't a handful of slow drivers.

beauf · 10-06-2019 02:56PM

mgn wrote: »

What a ridiculous statement to make that people are speeding to get to their lunch,people have meetings,appointments getting to work on time that may have being delayed elsewhere

Not that people are speeding to get their lunch no lol.

No I'm saying 2 mins is an insignificant amount of time. Relatively speaking. You wouldn't think about it any most other situation. When driving it feels like an eternity. Its a perception that its much bigger delay than it really is. Psychological.

Pretzill · 10-06-2019 03:16PM

Every day is a different day out there as a driver - be safe is the best advice and always keep your distance from the car on front. 2/4 second rule is one of best things to heed to avoid accident - to allow the person behind overtake safely etc.

Sometimes I think some drivers just hate seeing a car in front of them. Even on a good road. This scenario always befuddles me: I'm driving at 90+ (keeping below 100) on a dual carriageway left lane, car comes up behind into the overtaking lane, overtakes and then slows down to 88? This happens frequently, it's like it's expected or something.

tphase · 10-06-2019 03:29PM

beauf wrote: »

Usually the difference is negligible.

6 mins extra over lunch. How many will be bothered about that.

6 minutes would have made the difference between me getting the ferry I was booked on, and getting home at a reasonable hour as opposed to having to get the later ferry and stay overnight in Belfast. Before you saddle up your high horse again, I left myself plenty of extra time to make it but there's no way to allow for the number of gob-sh1tes I got stuck behind who must feel their time is more valuable that anyone elses

Duckjob · 10-06-2019 03:36PM

Micky 32 wrote: »

I appreciate the post, but you’re not taking in to account the human weakness, impatience. If you want to drive slow not a problem but a lot of drivers could pull over a little. Personally my patience is ok and i’d never dangerously overtake.

Problem I have with that is that it assumes human behavior is fixed, whereas behavioral studies show consistently the opposite.

I have a major problem with people not taking responsibility for their actions on the road. People need to be held to a higher standard of duty of care on the roads as a means of bringing up the standard generally.

Lets look at where the danger level changes in the example we've talking about-

- Empty road - No danger

- Add 1 driver driving below the speed limit - Actually slightly less than normal danger (assuming driving at the speed limit= normal danger)

- Add 1 car with patient driver that waits and makes a safe overtake - Still normal danger

- Add 1 car with impatient driver that makes a dangerous overtake - HUGE instant spike in danger.

The heightened level of danger does not exist until the impatient driver makes the decision to prioritise a couple of seconds of his/her own time over the safety of all those around him/her. Up until that point, all you have is annoyance, and annoyance doesn't kill anyone.

Quite frankly, anybody who cannot deal with a bit of annoyance and keep it in check should not hold a licence. We need to change peoples mindset, or else get them off the road because people with this mindset will heighten the danger levels on the road whereever they are and whatever the situation.

mgn · 10-06-2019 03:43PM

Duckjob wrote: »

Problem I have with that is that it assumes human behavior is fixed, whereas behavioral studies show consistently the opposite.

I have a major problem with people not taking responsibility for their actions on the road. People need to be held to a higher standard of duty of care on the roads as a means of bringing up the standard generally.

Lets look at where the danger level changes in the example we've talking about-

- Empty road - No danger

- Add 1 driver driving below the speed limit - Actually slightly less than normal danger (assuming driving at the speed limit= normal danger)

- Add 1 car with patient driver that waits and makes a safe overtake - Still normal danger

- Add 1 car with impatient driver that makes a dangerous overtake - HUGE instant spike in danger.

The heightened level of danger does not exist until the impatient driver makes the decision to prioritise a couple of seconds of his/her own time over the safety of all those around him/her. Up until that point, all you have is annoyance, and annoyance doesn't kill anyone.

Quite frankly, anybody who cannot deal with a bit of annoyance and keep it in check should not hold a licence. We need to change peoples mindset, or else get them off the road because people with this mindset will heighten the danger levels on the road whereever they are and whatever the situation.

What makes a driver impatient?

Cordell · 10-06-2019 03:52PM

Accidents are almost never caused by a single person making a single mistake. Case in point, the impatient driver and the slow driver both contribute to the accident by creating the proper environment for it to happen. It does not matter who's to blame, or it only matters after the accident happens. Preventing it from happening must be the goal, and that can be achieved only if both drivers have the proper consideration for safety and the other drivers.

facehugger99 · 10-06-2019 04:00PM

Duckjob wrote: »

Quite frankly, anybody who cannot deal with a bit of annoyance and keep it in check should not hold a licence. We need to change peoples mindset, or else get them off the road because people with this mindset will heighten the danger levels on the road whereever they are and whatever the situation.

Agreed, I'd also like to see the same logic applied to people who are unable to maintain a reasonable speed.

If you're incapable of driving at more than 60kph on a 100kph road in perfect weather conditions, get the bus instead.

AndrewJRenko · 10-06-2019 04:19PM

mgn wrote: »

No need for dangerous overtaking if the slow driver pulled over.

No need for dangerous driving full stop. Drivers are responsible for their own driving and can't blame traffic conditions for their dangerous driving

mgn · 10-06-2019 04:24PM

AndrewJRenko wrote: »

No need for dangerous driving full stop. Drivers are responsible for their own driving and can't blame traffic conditions for their dangerous driving

Why can't the blame the muppet doing 60km with 20 car behind them when all the have do do is pull over for a few seconds.

Rubberchikken · 10-06-2019 04:31PM

going fast/speeding just to make up time/attempt to make an appointment etc is illogical and ridiculous.
what happens when the !hit hits the fan and a crash occurs? any attempt to be early ir make the ferry or work or whatever is suddenly not going to happen.

now the driver who moments before couldnt wait behibd a responsible driver for whatever length of time necessary, has to stand by the side of the road or worse.

Slow drivers.... Slow for a reason...

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