Driving on the open road

[Terror_Tree]

Over the last couple of months I have had to do a lot of driving on the Bruce highway north of Townsville. Most of the other road users where ok but, below is a list of things that really ****ed me off.

1. Cars towing caravans with just the standard mirrors, How the hell can they see what’s behind them!!
2. People who sit on 90km/h but speed up to 120km/h in overtaking lanes!
3. People who can’t sit on a constant speed, varying between 85km/h and 95km/h
4. Road trains tailgating cars
5. People who flash their lights behind you because you dare to slow down for road works
6. People overtaking in dangerous places
7. Being tailgated by at 100km/h

I firmly believe that the biggest cause of car smashes is stupid people.

[ShootsWithFilm]

Originally Posted by Terror_Tree

Over the last couple of months I have had to do a lot of driving on the Bruce highway north of Townsville. Most of the other road users where ok but, below is a list of things that really ****ed me off.

1. Cars towing caravans with just the standard mirrors, How the hell can they see what’s behind them!!
2. People who sit on 90km/h but speed up to 120km/h in overtaking lanes!
3. People who can’t sit on a constant speed, varying between 85km/h and 95km/h
4. Road trains tailgating cars
5. People who flash their lights behind you because you dare to slow down for road works
6. People overtaking in dangerous places
7. Being tailgated by at 100km/h

I firmly believe that the biggest cause of car smashes is stupid people.

Can't disagree with that!

[flappist]

One point.

If you are being tailgated regardless of what speed you are doing then let them pass.

Some will be trying to push you faster to use use as a "mine detector", these will usually not overtake or if they do will just do the limit but at least they are not going to hit you from behind.

Others wish to go faster than you for whatever reason so let them go. If they wish to speed that is their business and if you block them because you think you are upholding the law or taking some moral high ground then in fact it is you who are causing the danger not them.

[grandpa_spec_F6]

Had almost all of those on a trip from Brisbane to Coffs Harbor not too long ago.

The one that irked me the most was the passing lane bit. 80km/h in a 100km/h zone... 120km/h in a passing lane... back to 80km/h at the merge....

Someone explained it on here not too long ago, as a physiological issue with the person. They feel less safe in a single lane and thus slow down to accommodate their fear, thus actually creating a dangerous situation.

When the road opens up into dual carriage way then they feel 'safe' and thus increase their speed, whether they mean to exceed the speed limit or are even looking at their speedo who knows... but sure enough they go back to panic mode once the dual carriageway end....

Another theory I have is people are just bastards.

[flappist]

It really is all psychology.

I once read about a guy who used to do a LOT of travelling on the open road in QLD and used to use the innate psychology of a specific group to his advantage.

The party trick is to trundle along until a commodore overtakes you and then immediately overtake it back and increase your speed to whatever you would like travel at.
In almost all situations the commodore will immediately overtake again and will travel faster showing you the superiority of their vehicle not realising that they are now mine sweeping for you.
There are a few parametres:
1) You must be in a Ford.
2) The commodore must be driven by a holden bogan.
3) The more "performancy" looking the Ford and/or the commodore the more likely the desired result.
4) Bowties are like shooting fish in a barrel.

Of course all characters appearing in this post are fictitious. Any resemblance to real flappists, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

[cheap]

Part of the problem is the terribly inaccurate speedo's.

Our car reads +110km/hr when we're actually doing 100km/hr (using the GPS for verification).

So it isn't uncommon to think you're doing 100km/hr when you're actually doing much less and other drivers end up having to overtake...

[svo supporter]

Nothing unusual there....it happens round the city as well as the country.

Not much you can do about it other than be patient and keep your distance, where possible, from such knobs.

[zilo]

All I see on the road is problems with people either not understanding road rules or having their own crazy interpretation of them

But all problems stem from failing to keep left.

If they kept to the left of the road I would just consider them as roadside litter and get on with my day and let them get on with theirs.

[XBROO]

I get sick of all the complaining about other drivers on the road. So my new attitude is **** everybody else, and drive to were I'm comfortable and safe. If people want to get past then past, if I want to get past someone, then I'll do it simple really. There's always going to be people that can't drive or do the wrong things. No use getting upset about it, just remember to look after numger one, yourself and family. So drive to stay alive and yes this may mean break some road rules, but it's better then being dead.

[grandpa_spec_F6]

Originally Posted by svo supporter

Typical one eyed statement, whereby the poster doesn't see any other brand on the road doing anything wrong.....

He's having a lend mate

Biggest group I had an issue with was the 4WD's driven by the midlife crew. OHMAHGAWD talk about inadequacy issues... I re-passed one bloke about 4 times before I got jack of it and turned off for a rest... buggered if I'm paying for someone else's problems.

[Gabbs]

One thing that really gets me is when you overtake someone in a 110 zone. You then get to a 90 zone which turns to a 80 or 60 depending where you are and they re overtake you. So speed goes back up to 110 and guess who isn't doing the speed limit.

[In Focus]

I get the "big car inadequacy" routine: if a small car is ahead of a big car, whether the small car is doing the speed limit or not, the big car must overtake. Quite often, the big car will then settle down to the same speed, or sometimes lower, as the small car was originally doing.

[thefargo]

the other issue, not confined to the open road, is

I must pull out in front of you, more so if there are no vehicles behind you. By pulling out infront of you, I will cause maximum inconvenience, whereas waiting the extra 3 - 5 seconds until you have passed will cause no inconvenience what-so-ever.
this pullingout can be from side/entry streets, petrol stations, etc.

As I said certainly not just the open road.

I think it is mandated on South Australian roads.

[grandpa_spec_F6]

Originally Posted by In Focus

I get the "big car inadequacy" routine: if a small car is ahead of a big car, whether the small car is doing the speed limit or not, the big car must overtake. Quite often, the big car will then settle down to the same speed, or sometimes lower, as the small car was originally doing.

YES! Happens all the time in the Mrs Excel. Other thing I never got when I was a learner is that I'd be 'going with the flow' of traffic but it's like people have a switch that goes "OH NO LEARNER BURNER! WARPSPEED TO GET PAST!"

I try to avoid causing the learnings any grief as a consequence

[FPV+fteT3]

One of my biggies is other people driving your car for you, let me explain yesterday going up a mountain on thundebolts way a small truck with a tractor on its back going up the mountain. I was in 1st and 2nd gear with a small car in front of me directly behind the truck, when we reached the top the small car went to overtake ... the truck driver motioned with his hand outside the window to overtake drifting accross the centre line by a foot almost sideswiping the already passing small car, dont get me started on the people who half pull over showering you with rocks.. if I want to pass you I can at anytime, your not doing me any favours covering my car in shyte.

Its only a bend no need to brake let alone slow down to 80.....typical of the city driver syndrome.

[svo supporter]

Originally Posted by FPV+fteT3

One of my biggies is other people driving your car for you, let me explain yesterday going up a mountain on thundebolts way a small truck with a tractor on its back going up the mountain. I was in 1st and 2nd gear with a small car in front of me directly behind the truck, when we reached the top the small car went to overtake ... the truck driver motioned with his hand outside the window to overtake drifting accross the centre line by a foot almost sideswiping the already passing small car, dont get me started on the people who half pull over showering you with rocks.. if I want to pass you I can at anytime, your not doing me any favours covering my car in shyte.

Its only a bend no need to brake let alone slow down to 80.....typical of the city driver syndrome.

Poor truck driver is nice and waves to signal it is safe to pass however in the process the poor fella drifts over the centre line....

Moral of the story....The truck driver shouldn't have been nice and left the driver of the small car sit up his backside..

[RegSpec]

As somebody who does a lot of nightime driving......

Inconsiderate drivers who refuse to dip their lights till the very last second (usually after youve flashed them a couple of times).....

And/or.....people who dont check their headlight alignment!!

These two peeves are in addition to everything else already mentioned above of course...

[Mechan1k]

Originally Posted by BionicXR6T

As somebody who does a lot of nightime driving......

Inconsiderate drivers who refuse to dip their lights till the very last second (usually after youve flashed them a couple of times).....

And/or.....people who dont check their headlight alignment!!

These two peeves are in addition to everything else already mentioned above of course...

Used to get that a lot ... but one quick flash of a set Lightforce 240 driving lights (man i miss those) tends to get them to dip their highbeams promptly .... and then there are people in a complete daze that have no idea they have high beam on at all.

Even in the middle of the day.

[ryeman]

'In the old days' cars generally had marginal performance and overtaking was a skill. In contrast it seems to me the majority of drivers are paranoid about overtaking if there's a car on the horizon coming towards them and if there isn't one they'll wait till there is!

[Outbackjack]

Aussies are awsome drivers ........

[Mechan1k]

Originally Posted by Outbackjack

Aussies are awsome drivers ........

Not as good as those crazy Russians

[new2ford]

There's a new generation on the way. Followed a learner into town today under supervision of parent. Failed to indicate exit from roundabout and when already in roundabout gave way to car that hadn't yet entered the roundabout.

I won't even mention the driving school cars sitting in the right lane on multi-lane roads.

[4stanger]

Originally Posted by new2ford

There's a new generation on the way. Followed a learner into town today under supervision of parent. Failed to indicate exit from roundabout and when already in roundabout gave way to car that hadn't yet entered the roundabout.

I won't even mention the driving school cars sitting in the right lane on multi-lane roads.

Sorry that parent could have been me!
That is why they display L plates, they are learning.
Sure, the parent could be in their ear all the log book hours, on what they have to do & don't, before they get their license, but at some stage the learner has to make their own decisions when they are driving and learn for themselves.
I have trained all my 3 children and sent all 3 to driver trainers.
They make mistakes and they know it after the fact, but I give them self confidence to keep going because they are displaying the L plate and their fellow motorist can see that and will forgive them and make allowances for this.
I just hope you do when you see an L plater a mistake when driving, I know I do, I give them extra attention because they are displaying an L plate and I prepare for possible mistakes and give them room.
If a motorist is not wearing an L plate and makes a mistake, critisize all you want, but make sure you do it from the position of being the perfect driver in every situation yourself.
When you see a motorist wearing an L plate, they are learning to drive.
Learners and beginners make mistakes. (but I never did )
end rant on L platers making mistakes on the road under parental supervision!

[new2ford]

I would be saying to junior as we were circling the roundabout "now don't forget to signal your exit" rather than passively sitting and letting them do the wrong thing. And keep on saying it until they did it without being talked to!

[4stanger]

Originally Posted by new2ford

I would be saying to junior as we were circling the roundabout "now don't forget to signal your exit" rather than passively sitting and letting them do the wrong thing. And keep on saying it until they did it without being talked to!

If thats the way you want to teach junior, be prepared to sit beside junior for the rest of their driving life saying that!
Sometimes you have to sit there in silence, to see if they have learnt anything from the previous 100 roundabouts they have been through!
Remember the L plate is there, to tell other motorists they are learning, be forgiving (within reason) and give them room.

[BF-2K7]

Originally Posted by Terror_Tree

Over the last couple of months I have had to do a lot of driving on the Bruce highway north of Townsville. Most of the other road users where ok but, below is a list of things that really ****ed me off.

I have just returned home from my 'vacation road trip' up to Brisbane and back to Sydney and can wholeheartedly agree with you on these points (I have elaborated further in red from my personal experiences)

1. Cars towing caravans with just the standard mirrors, How the hell can they see what’s behind them!! Totally agree the few dollars spent on an extended mirror is well worth it! Caravans/largeboat trailers should be slowing down to say 80 kph on passing lanes to let the banked up traffic pass, can't tell you how frustrating it is sitting behind a line of 10 or more caravans waiting to get passed them
2. People who sit on 90km/h but speed up to 120km/h in overtaking lanes! OM*G this is infuriating!! (I had a late model Corrolla doing 85-90 kmph in single dual carriageway from outside Ballina heading towards Grafton as soon as he got into a passing lane 120kph then back down to 85 kph, approx 30 cars behind him, so next passing lane I gunned it [with my motorbike still bouncing around on the trailer!] got up to 120kph and he sped up more!!! took 2 more goes and breaking the law VERY considerably ((140 ish) to get past him - a well timed 'finger' was thrown in for good measure just to get the meassage across!
3. People who can’t sit on a constant speed, varying between 85km/h and 95km/h See above!!
4. Road trains tailgating cars Had a B double nearly take the front of my ute off swinging out into the fast lane all beacuase another B double pulled out of a rest area - btw I couldnt see the B double in front and was totally surprised by his actions - however HE must've seen it pulling out but did nothing until the last minute! After I had passed him he stuck right up my ****! (and I was doing 120 - so much for speed limiting!) * btw lost him on the hill
5. People who flash their lights behind you because you dare to slow down for road works Passing on roadworks was the thing I saw - car passing nearly rear ended a construction truck turning into the site from right lane!! Absolute Stupidity!! road work speed limits are for a reason!
6. People overtaking in dangerous places See above!
7. Being tailgated by at 100km/h Argggh!! my pet hate! I was towing my trailer with serveral cars on my tail between Brisbane and Sydney and especially Mt White/Wahrooga stretch of the freeway
8. (adding my own) L platers on the freeway doing 80kph in 'holiday traffic'!! Astounding!! "Lets take our family on a jaunt through the countryside in the car with 'Junior' driving" ... "what a marvelous idea!"
9. (another) there seems to be no consideration for parking of trailers in shopping centres/Maccas etc and Motels

I firmly believe that the biggest cause of car smashes is stupid people.

Sorry to highjack you post but I needed to vent!

All over now

As you were!

[malazn mafia]

Night driving and back roads, might end up driving further but get there hardly encountering trucks, silly drivers or 'mines', and in less time.

[4stanger]

Originally Posted by BF-2K7

Sorry to highjack you post but I needed to vent!

All over now

As you were!

I sympathise with your frustrations, but please be calm headed when you try to resolve these situations when doing 140ish with a bike trailer.
At least be in control of the situation, and do it safely for ALL road users, if you know what I mean.

[4stanger]

Originally Posted by malazn mafia

Night driving and back roads, might end up driving further but get there hardly encountering trucks, silly drivers or 'mines', and in less time.

You might miss the trucks and silly drivers, but depending on the back roads, be aware of our coat of arms, Emu & Kangaroo (plus any other animals).
Gee, I'm full of replies tonight, and full of other stuff!

[Ben73]

Originally Posted by grandpa_spec_F6

YES! Happens all the time in the Mrs Excel. Other thing I never got when I was a learner is that I'd be 'going with the flow' of traffic but it's like people have a switch that goes "OH NO LEARNER BURNER! WARPSPEED TO GET PAST!"

I try to avoid causing the learnings any grief as a consequence

When I was on my L's I used to love watching traffic in my mirrors when I was stopped at the lights. There would be 3 cars in the lane next to me and none behind me, as the 4th car comes up behind me they notice I am a learner and change into the lane with more traffic to get past.
Then If I take off faster than the car next to me, I would watch them all try to get back into the lane behind me.

One of the most annoying drivers in cities are people who change lanes every 10 seconds because the other lane is now temporarily going faster, but they never get anywhere faster.
I only change lanes if I know the other lane will continue to go faster and it's safe to do so.


Most annoying drivers on highways are people who speed up at overtaking lanes only.