Driving on the open road - Page 2

**MercurySilver** · 19-01-2013, 09:33 PM

people not dipping the high beams early enough
people turning on the right indicator for a few flashes for you to overtake
are you turning and dont know where youre going??

Agent86 · 19-01-2013, 09:43 PM

Quote:

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 you do this, your teaching them to follow instruction, not analyze and react to a fluid situation on their own.

Inadvertantly proved this to myself years ago.

A cousin ( who was always flat out, damn the consequences ) had recently obtained his licence.

I told him that if i EVER said stop, to just stand on the brakes then ask later (see above for reasons, rural area with copious offroad driving also)

this worked to keep us out of drama when i rode with him, but the first time he went nuts without me in the car, he put the damn thing up a bank between many trees.
After i circled back to see where he ended up, he fell out of the car laughing his *** off.
When he could speak all he said was "I was waiting for you to tell me to stop!"

4stanger · 19-01-2013, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben73

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.

Totally agree with this post.
Been there. Seen that.

BF-2K7 · 19-01-2013, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arnaldo

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.

The driver in question was doing this manouvre for approx 60 km distance on every passing lane annoying everyone Im afraid my frustration got the better of me.

Road ahead was straight, passing lane was approx 3 to 4 km long - no oncoming traffic - I considered it safe. Bike trailer sticks to the road like shyte to a blanket behind my ute. I know I was breaking the law for a minute - however as soon as I got passed the offending 'gentleman' I slowed back to the speed limit as I timed it precisely for the passing lane to end and I carried on my merry way.

Djrystofer · 20-01-2013, 02:44 AM

People who speed up when they're being overtaken

Queue long story...
A year or two ago I was plodding along the hume quite fine when an old lancer, with 5 people in it was infront of me, doing about 105 (Myself doing 110), as I pull into the right lane to overtake my surprise is he speeds up to about 120 untill I pulled back in behind him.

3 seconds later he slows down and gets overtaken by about 3 other cars, so I decide it's my turn & pull back into the right lane. Sped up again!.
Same thing happens 2 more times, untill I got fed up and sped up to an unmentionable speed & to my surprise he did the same!

I don't think he was doing it due to peer pressure, I'm sure the 2 older ladies in the back weren't egging him on anyway.
Strange things happen on the hume...

mike_nofx · 20-01-2013, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Djrystofer

People who speed up when they're being overtaken

Queue long story...
A year or two ago I was plodding along the hume quite fine when an old lancer, with 5 people in it was infront of me, doing about 105 (Myself doing 110), as I pull into the right lane to overtake my surprise is he speeds up to about 120 untill I pulled back in behind him.

3 seconds later he slows down and gets overtaken by about 3 other cars, so I decide it's my turn & pull back into the right lane. Sped up again!.
Same thing happens 2 more times, untill I got fed up and sped up to an unmentionable speed & to my surprise he did the same!

I don't think he was doing it due to peer pressure, I'm sure the 2 older ladies in the back weren't egging him on anyway.
Strange things happen on the hume...

Were you in a Falcon? Should have had more pull from say 100-140km/h than a lancer full of people.

malazn mafia · 20-01-2013, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike_nofx

Were you in a Falcon? Should have had more pull from say 100-140km/h than a lancer full of people.

Even if he was, he was being a law-abiding citizen and not exceeding the posted speed limit while overtaking the lancer...

BF-2K7 · 20-01-2013, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by malazn mafia

Even if he was, he was being a law-abiding citizen and not exceeding the posted speed limit while overtaking the lancer...

.......... sometimes a situation warrants a unlawful act, drivers travelling slow then speeding up are a hazard. Im not condoning speeding (or my actions, as I broke the speed limit getting past one of these 'champions') however if you can safely get past I will choose to do so.

Should I get pinged by the local constablulary then I will explain my actions and take the punishment.

ryeman · 20-01-2013, 12:52 PM

Good police use their tool called discretion

sgt_doofey · 20-01-2013, 01:32 PM

It astounds me the number of people on highways (the Sturt Highway here in SA which I travel regularly) which are dual lane carriageway each way with a very large verge in the middle separating the two, the number of people who don't bother to turn off their high beams passing a car in the other direction.

Just remember, if you can see the other people's headlights, then they can see yours and you should dip your high beams.

Nic85 · 20-01-2013, 05:43 PM

Biggest gripes with Highway users: People who can't keep a constant speed and people who think it's their right to sit in the middle lane on a 3 lane highway.

ryeman · 20-01-2013, 06:17 PM

I suspect the reason people won't drive in the left lane is because of those signs that say 'left lane (curb side) ceases in ....mtrs' which to me has never made sense to me....

Rev28K · 20-01-2013, 08:50 PM

If you've got cruise control there is no excuse for speed fluctuations and long distances are so easy.

It makes such a difference and you can look forward to far fewer speeding fines in the future, especially with those nasty point to point "safety" cameras.

monte.b · 20-01-2013, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

Pretty plain to see you havnt driven this road much ,there is not very many overtaking lanes on the old goat track and the further north you go the worse it gets ,even if you want to be overtaken its pretty scary

flappist · 20-01-2013, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by monte.b

Pretty plain to see you havnt driven this road much ,there is not very many overtaking lanes on the old goat track and the further north you go the worse it gets ,even if you want to be overtaken its pretty scary

Really?

Well I have been driving between Brisbane and Rockhampton since 1976 and have done well over 1,000,000 km on that bit of road alone.

How about you?

Djrystofer · 21-01-2013, 06:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike_nofx

Were you in a Falcon? Should have had more pull from say 100-140km/h than a lancer full of people.

318i
Had no chance (against a lancer!), even if I were to put the foot down.

Quasi · 21-01-2013, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terror_Tree

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

I've lived in Canberra since 1974, except for a year in Batemans Bay (NSW South Coast) and over three years on the Gold Coast. I've never been able to work out which is the bigger problem.....Arrogant people who know they are doing the wrong/stupid thing and just simply don't care, or ignorant people who are clueless that they are doing the wrong/stupid thing.

4.0i_SiX · 21-01-2013, 07:53 AM

I just came back from a 4wd trip down near warwick, travelling back to Brisbane. The amount of people that cannot sit on the one speed is ridiculous! At first you deal with it, but as the trip goes on it gets so frustrating. Im talking speed differences of up to 15kph on a straight section of road! I was following a BA falcon who was sitting perfectly on 100, next second we are doing 85, then 90, then 100, then 90. We approach an overtaking lane, he pulls to the left and I proceed to overtake, next minute he is keeping up with me at 100, 105. Not getting caught for speeding for this tool so I back off. As soon as we are back into the single lane he is at it again.

He was an old fella, completely oblivious, too busy looking at the scenery while swerving all over the road. I passed him at the next possible chance.

Anyway back to the point. I drive both a Falcon and a 4wd and I can tell you for a fact. That I get more people pull out in front of me or try to overtake me in the 4wd because they simply dont want to be stuck behind me. I think they have it stuck in their head that all 4wd's are slow etc etc. Meanwhile mine will give a falcon or commodore a run for its money. They will literally floor it passed me and then sit on the speed limit in front of me ( sometimes below the limit )

I understand that vans trucks and 4wds can be difficult to see around, so I try to drive as courteously as possible. I keep over slightly to the left side of the lane so drivers can see passed me etc. Why do you have to pass something that is sitting on the speed limit? only to pull in front and sit on the speed limit yourself?

aussie muscle · 21-01-2013, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thefargo

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,

extra points if i'm turning off the road in less than a KM.

zilo · 21-01-2013, 08:29 AM

Show ponies with fog lights who think they look cool annoy me, especially SS commodores with badly aligned ones coming at you in the rain..

davez104 · 21-01-2013, 08:51 AM

Everyone has experienced it, all these things happen way more than they should, but adds interest to a trip I guess.

Coming home from Mackay a few months ago, I was towing my 5M boat, cruise control set on 100, I had 2 Commodores catch me fairly quickly, probably sitting on 110 or a bit better. We came to an overtaking lane so I backed off a bit to let them both get past, but no, they sat behind me, backed off a bit more to around 80ks but nothing, both sat in the left lane behind me. Fair enough, no skin off my nose, got to the end of the overtaking lane and reset the cruise on 100. Only about 2 kms up the road were some roadworks, gravel road, 60km/h speed limit. Nobody was working the roadworks that day so I cruised through a little under 80km/h, both Commodores overtook me on the gravel. No idea what was going through their heads, very little I presume.

Dave.

XBROO · 21-01-2013, 09:36 AM

Probably didn't like the dust from the dirt road.

BroncosXR8 · 21-01-2013, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davez104

Everyone has experienced it, all these things happen way more than they should, but adds interest to a trip I guess.

Coming home from Mackay a few months ago, I was towing my 5M boat, cruise control set on 100, I had 2 Commodores catch me fairly quickly, probably sitting on 110 or a bit better. We came to an overtaking lane so I backed off a bit to let them both get past, but no, they sat behind me, backed off a bit more to around 80ks but nothing, both sat in the left lane behind me. Fair enough, no skin off my nose, got to the end of the overtaking lane and reset the cruise on 100. Only about 2 kms up the road were some roadworks, gravel road, 60km/h speed limit. Nobody was working the roadworks that day so I cruised through a little under 80km/h, both Commodores overtook me on the gravel. No idea what was going through their heads, very little I presume.

Dave.

Probably had the missus driving (no offence ladies, this is just my experience) and he's said to her "you should have overtaken the boat when you had the chance in that overtaking lane" and then the very next opportunity she 'thought' she had she did overtake, unfortunately it was in a much less suitable place.

Happened plenty of times when my missus has taken over for a bit, and she never has learned when a good overtaking opportunity is... can be quite frustrating at times!

flappist · 21-01-2013, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BroncosXR8

Probably had the missus driving (no offence ladies, this is just my experience) and he's said to her "you should have overtaken the boat when you had the chance in that overtaking lane" and then the very next opportunity she 'thought' she had she did overtake, unfortunately it was in a much less suitable place.

Happened plenty of times when my missus has taken over for a bit, and she never has learned when a good overtaking opportunity is... can be quite frustrating at times!

Actually that is indicative of a much larger problem that is becoming more and more common.

We have a large number of drivers who have been so battered by the nannyistas and do-gooders telling what they can and cannot do almost to the point of micro management that they are uncomfortable making decisions, some to the point that they will just not do anything regardless of any danger or inconvenience being caused and react aggressively when any suggestion that they need to assess all of a situation not just what some road sign or television campaign has told them to do.

Just look at some of the posts on here over the years in threads which question road safety and policy. Some people are VERY afraid of being responsible for their actions and will vehemently attack any idea that may force them out away from their warm and fuzzy "I follow the rules so I am safe and a good driver and if everyone just did as they were told there would be unicorns and raindows" mindset.

new2ford · 21-01-2013, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Djrystofer

People who speed up when they're being overtaken

Queue long story...
A year or two ago I was plodding along the hume quite fine when an old lancer, with 5 people in it was infront of me, doing about 105 (Myself doing 110), as I pull into the right lane to overtake my surprise is he speeds up to about 120 untill I pulled back in behind him.

3 seconds later he slows down and gets overtaken by about 3 other cars, so I decide it's my turn & pull back into the right lane. Sped up again!.
Same thing happens 2 more times, untill I got fed up and sped up to an unmentionable speed & to my surprise he did the same!

I don't think he was doing it due to peer pressure, I'm sure the 2 older ladies in the back weren't egging him on anyway.
Strange things happen on the hume...

If he was doing this deliberately (and I know from experience it happens often) his licence should be taken from him as he is psychologically unsuited to driving. At it's worst (like when it results in somebody being forced to the other side of the road) this sort of behaviour is attempted murder.

Very good article by Bill McKinnon in December Top Gear on the anger and aggression in a lot of Australian driving. He makes the point that many Australians are so full of their own self-importance they are prepared to kill someone for the sake of it. This is the spookiest thing about driving on Australian roads and the flip side of the consideration for others that you experience when driving in Europe. Six months away from it and it hits you in the face immediately when you return to it.

I would make the point that there are very many sensible, mature, considerate and experienced drivers here, but there are enough of the other to comprehensively spoil the brew.

mike_nofx · 21-01-2013, 05:11 PM

What annoys me is people who sit in the right lane but about 50-100m behind me and just sit there (probably think they're using me as a sweeper) and as soon as I approach a slower vehicle that I would like to overtake, they close up the gap so I have to slow down and go behind the car that was previously following me in the opposite lane.

Doesn't happen to me much anymore because I will pull into the right lane sooner, usually then the car which sat behind me for 5km speeds up to tailgate me.

Yes some people are real douchebag drivers.

BroncosXR8 · 21-01-2013, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flappist

Actually that is indicative of a much larger problem that is becoming more and more common.

We have a large number of drivers who have been so battered by the nannyistas and do-gooders telling what they can and cannot do almost to the point of micro management that they are uncomfortable making decisions, some to the point that they will just not do anything regardless of any danger or inconvenience being caused and react aggressively when any suggestion that they need to assess all of a situation not just what some road sign or television campaign has told them to do.

Just look at some of the posts on here over the years in threads which question road safety and policy. Some people are VERY afraid of being responsible for their actions and will vehemently attack any idea that may force them out away from their warm and fuzzy "I follow the rules so I am safe and a good driver and if everyone just did as they were told there would be unicorns and raindows" mindset.

Your right about that Flappist, it's like some people won't do anything unless there is a big flashing sign telling them it is safe to do so... meanwhile all the traffic behinds goes slightly insane.

ryeman · 21-01-2013, 06:59 PM

Agree, to the point that there are even instruction of opening the cereal box.
The excuse 'nobody told me .....'

monte.b · 21-01-2013, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flappist

Really?

Well I have been driving between Brisbane and Rockhampton since 1976 and have done well over 1,000,000 km on that bit of road alone.

How about you?

Yep ive done a few miles on the old road too mainly from maryborough to gold coast ,down and back each week for the last few years ,been to cairns a few times .That road from rocky to mackay is the most boring road ive ever driven on ,i reckon the further north you go the better the drivers are and the worse the road gets ,most drive with the headlights on in the daytime which is good i reckon ,thats a lot of klm you have got up there was it in a ford

Ford_The_Win · 21-01-2013, 07:32 PM

Yesterday afternoon I had an older guy, probably in his 50s or 60s, completely oblivious to the world, walked right in front of my car as I was on my way out for tea (doing about 70km/hr). If I didn't blast my horn he wouldn't have even known I was about to clean him up. Sadly the world is full of crazy and very stupid people, and unfortunately some of them have a driver's licence and there's nothing we can do about it so I try not to get worked up about bad drivers that I come across. I plan for them as best I can and as long as I get to my destination safely, that's all I care about.