Why do slow/nervous drivers use backroads?

martyc5674

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..

Maybe they are braking because they have previously encountered 45 tonne trucks coming around the same bend who have no intention of slowing down.
Everyone is different... everyone has encountered different situations that may cause them to be more nervous than you or I until such time we have gained their life experiences.

thierry14

Dont mind people driving slow on back roads, drive slow myself on them as they wreck your car, especially suspension

What I hate is the people that speed on back roads and then hit the motorway and drive like like grannies, the place you can drve fast safely.

Its usually people in undpowered Toyota's/Ford's/Dacia's, lunatics on the back road and hold the show up on the motorway

Or 520d's hogging the overtaking lane thinking they have quick cars

Truckermal

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.

FFS don't be changing the wording of my post to suit yourself.

martyc5674

the_pen_turner wrote: »

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

Yes a car is in general terms should be able to manoeuvre a bend with greater control than a truck all things being equal.
However the car driver will come out worse than a truck driver should they have a collision,Hence they will take the bend with more caution, a truck driver has a better vantage point being higher up and can see further around the bend earlier than a car driver.

It’s hard to believe that in this day in age, given how well educated people are that they can’t give nervous drivers a bit of a break. It’s bullying behaviour from behind the wheel.

beauf

Neilw wrote: »

.....
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.. .

The problem is the roads are for everyone at a range of abilities. It's a means of transport not a test of how far you can drive .

beauf

Neilw wrote: »

.....
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.. .

The problem is the roads are for everyone at a range of abilities. It's a means of transport not a test of how fast you can drive .

the_pen_turner

beauf wrote: »

The problem is the roads are for everyone at a range of abilities. It's a means of transport not a test of how far you can drive .

that's not true. you need a licence and to reach a certain level of driving ability (or at least show it on the day) to be allowed to drive on the roads

beauf

A certain level is a range. There will be a varied level of ability inside that.

the_pen_turner

beauf wrote: »

A certain level is a range. There will be a varied level of ability inside that.

yes but there are certain things that drivers do that should put them bellow that minimum level of competency

breaking every time a car comes towards them shows that they are not confident in the size of their vehicle and the width of the road, or their ability to stay in control of the vehicle

not being able to reverse

not being able to park

not knowing where the end of your vehicle is and how close to something you can get and not hit it

basic controls like lights indicators, wipers, heaters to defog the windows

Wibbs

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.

beauf

The point before you derail the thread further, with irrelevancies. Is that within the range of normal competent drivers are a range of abilities. They will drive at different speeds.

If you find yourself frustrated about people not driving at the maximum speed limit on a short journey that happens one or twice a week. You really need to chill out.

This is a country road, that in recent years has become a rat run to avoid the traffic and toll on the main road. Also because the suburbs have almost overrun this area. I'm sure in the next 10yrs this will be developed with more housing estates.

beauf

I expect there are a good few accidents on that clonee/Lucan road, and more will come. As it has a lot of intermittent traffic, and not much opportunity to pass, and as people rush to and from work, they will be impatient. Theres also a good few hidden entrances.

The OP is till frustrated with it, even with adaptive cruise control, and its a short distance. So any delay is minimal, its not effort to drive. So its simply impatience.

the_pen_turner

beauf wrote: »

The point before you derail the thread further, with irrelevancies. Is that within the range of normal competent drivers are a range of abilities. They will drive at different speeds.

If you find yourself frustrated about people not driving at the maximum speed limit on a short journey that happens one or twice a week. You really need to chill out.

This is a country road, that in recent years has become a rat run to avoid the traffic and toll on the main road. Also because the suburbs have almost overrun this area. I'm sure in the next 10yrs this will be developed with more housing estates.

this goes to show that tolls can do a lot of harm to the bypass routes.

beauf

the_pen_turner wrote: »

...
this goes to show that tolls can do a lot of harm to the bypass routes.

I'd say people are avoiding the traffic as much as the toll. Traffic avoiding traffic complaining about traffic.

The this impatience is common all over now. Everyone is in a rush to queue.

w0bbles

Maybe these people are using the back roads to avoid the speed demon bullies on the main roads, someday if you end up on your roof on the back roads whilst trying to overtake these "nervous drivers" you'll by then realize these roads were never made for speed!!!

Use the motorways...

the_pen_turner

w0bbles wrote: »

Maybe these people are using the back roads to avoid the speed demon bullies on the main roads, someday if you end up on your roof on the back roads whilst trying to overtake these "nervous drivers" you'll by then realize these roads were never made for speed!!!

Use the motorways...

the problem is that you are assuming that there are only 2 options slow or lunatic. most people are in the middle category safe speed but want to get there in an acceptable time. not everyone that complains about slow nervous divers is a lunatic.

beauf

the_pen_turner wrote: »

.... want to get there in an acceptable time....

This is 7 min journey. Doing it 15kmph below the speed limit will add what a minute.

Your complaining about a delay of a minute.

the_pen_turner

beauf wrote: »

This is 7 min journey. Doing it 15kmph below the speed limit will add what a minute.

Your complaining about a delay of a minute.

why do we have to talk about that specific journey. this thread is a broad one.
and I'm not complaining about anything.

Rubberchikken

Other than L drivers not allowed on motorway people can drive on whatever road they wish.
If they want to drive at 45 on a 60 k then they can do that to.

Op im betting youre one of those drivers who drive or are willing to drive over 60 in a 60 while all the time braking at every bend and then speeding up again.

And so what if the guy behind is up your ar$e. Thats his problem not yours. Tailgating is illegal also.

Tbh all that comes out of your post is aggression stress and a touch of arrogance.
Theyre not your roads. Laws are there for everyone to follow. You cant decide where someone drives or the speed they drive .

You need to chill guy.

RacoonQueen

A road I drive near home is narrow, but plenty of space for traffic to continue on each side of it. Pain in the face when there is traffic coming in the other direction and the person in front of you brakes or comes to a complete stop, as if coming to a stop makes their car suddenly smaller to allow the other car to get through...can't understand why people can't just quickly check their mirror, see they are within the white line, see the other car is also within the white line and deduce that you can both pass safely.

Anyone who says slow drivers aren't dangerous has to be trying to wind people up. Driving excessively under the speed limit is a danger. Some of these aren't nervous drivers, they are just poor drivers who are incapable of controlling their car.

beauf

the_pen_turner wrote: »

...

why do we have to talk about that specific journey. this thread is a broad one.
and I'm not complaining about anything.

Because it's puts metrics the delay. a few minutes.

the_pen_turner

beauf wrote: »

the_pen_turner wrote: »

...

why do we have to talk about that specific journey. this thread is a broad one.
and I'm not complaining about anything.

Because it's puts metrics the delay. a few minutes.

For what's its worth I agree about a few min here and there won't matter.
But u try to drive at the limit if I can. Why waste time if I don't have to , but a few min won't matter.


I went to Dublin during the year on the m8 I passed a flat bed tow truck between urlingford and durrow roughly . He had a bike on the back and was tipping along at around 80 to 90. I was doing 120 . I pulled into may field junction whatever it is. I went in to the lol and bought something in the shop. As I walk d out of the shop the tow truck was pulling in. All I saved was a lot break.

beauf

I'm finding this mobile version of boards unusable. Anyone else? 

We are talking about a back country road, there are farms on it. Maybe even a stud farm. You kinda have to expect slow traffic. 

If you are making a general point about excessive speed or slow speed then that depends on the road, traffic and the conditions. You can't make sweeping generalisations about it.

beauf

the_pen_turner wrote: »

beauf wrote: »

the_pen_turner wrote: »

...

why do we have to talk about that specific journey. this thread is a broad one.
and I'm not complaining about anything.

Because it's puts metrics the delay. a few minutes.

For what's its worth I agree about a few min here and there won't matter.
But u try to drive at the limit if I can. Why waste time if I don't have to , but a few min won't matter.


I went to Dublin during the year on the m8 I passed a flat bed tow truck between urlingford and durrow roughly . He had a bike on the back and was tipping along at around 80 to 90. I was doing 120 . I pulled into may field junction whatever it is. I went in to the lol and bought something in the shop. As I walk d out of the shop the tow truck was pulling in. All I saved was a lot break.

This is what I do. Just less hassle. If you meet a convoy.

Can't do that on a commute as easily. Which is what the OP was referring to.

beauf

Stupid double quotes...

9935452

the_pen_turner wrote: »

beauf wrote: »

The problem is the roads are for everyone at a range of abilities. It's a means of transport not a test of how far you can drive .

that's not true. you need a licence and to reach a certain level of driving ability (or at least show it on the day) to be allowed to drive on the roads

Kinda is though.
There are a lot of people on the road who have never passed a test.
Learner drivers . People who got licenses in the amnesty. Foreigners have different tests. I work with an Indian for example. His driving test there was drive down the road turn around and drive back again. He tells me he had no issue hiring a car here with it.
.

andekwarhola

Let's be honest, a lot of people see back roads like that as a shortcut speed track.

the_pen_turner

9935452 wrote: »

Kinda is though.
There are a lot of people on the road who have never passed a test.
Learner drivers . People who got licenses in the amnesty. Foreigners have different tests. I work with an Indian for example. His driving test there was drive down the road turn around and drive back again. He tells me he had no issue hiring a car here with it.
.

unfortunately your right. the whole system is a crap shoot

GreeBo

frozenfrozen wrote: »

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

the_pen_turner wrote: »

why do we have to talk about that specific journey. this thread is a broad one.
and I'm not complaining about anything.

Well which is it guys?

GreeBo

the_pen_turner wrote: »

But u try to drive at the limit if I can.

Erm, yeah, that's not really what a limit is chief.

Dartz

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.

People who can't maintain an average speed of at least 60% of the speed limit should be dragged from their cars.

Or, yet again, some old **** is bimpling down the N11 at 60kph in a 100 zone desperately trying to escape from that hauinting coffin.

It's not the magnitude of the speed - it's the difference in traffic speed. If you're outside the 85th percentile of what most people are doing, up or down, you're creating a hazard.

dr.fuzzenstein

GreeBo wrote: »

Erm, yeah, that's not really what a limit is chief.

It is perfectly legal to drive at the limit.
It's not like 100 is some kind of lunatic speed where the force of gravity propels you into some kind of black hole and you go to warp.
Anyone who is incapable of gently wafting along at 100 km/h on a suitable road in perfect conditions should not be on the road.
It should be part of the test. Instant fail.

And if we're talking about 80 km/h. My mother is 80 and she can drive that speed. Anyone who is not able to drive as fast as an 80 year old Granny who uses a zimmer frame should check into the old folks home now.
I even drove at 200 today. It was a breeze.
If someone is scared at 80, he/she should walk or get the bus

martyc5674

dr.fuzzenstein wrote: »

It is perfectly legal to drive at the limit.
It's not like 100 is some kind of lunatic speed where the force of gravity propels you into some kind of black hole and you go to warp.
Anyone who is incapable of gently wafting along at 100 km/h on a suitable road in perfect conditions should not be on the road.
It should be part of the test. Instant fail.

And if we're talking about 80 km/h. My mother is 80 and she can drive that speed. Anyone who is not able to drive as fast as an 80 year old Granny who uses a zimmer frame should check into the old folks home now.
I even drove at 200 today. It was a breeze.
If someone is scared at 80, he/she should walk or get the bus

I agree that they should be capable of driving in a progressive manner, however they shouldn’t feel obliged to drive at a speed they are uncomfortable with because they are sharing the road with impatient drivers.

Well done on driving at 200 today, no doubt you’ll tell us it was in a controlled environment shortly or in another country yawn. I hope no less able drivers got in your way

DaveyDave

Rubberchikken wrote: »

Other than L drivers not allowed on motorway people can drive on whatever road they wish.
If they want to drive at 45 on a 60 k then they can do that to.

Op im betting youre one of those drivers who drive or are willing to drive over 60 in a 60 while all the time braking at every bend and then speeding up again.

And so what if the guy behind is up your ar$e. Thats his problem not yours. Tailgating is illegal also.

Tbh all that comes out of your post is aggression stress and a touch of arrogance.
Theyre not your roads. Laws are there for everyone to follow. You cant decide where someone drives or the speed they drive .

You need to chill guy.

No, I don't drive over 60 on the 60 road and I don't actually brake on the bends because they're ever so slight that I don't need to. People are quick to jump on the bandwagon here suggesting I'm a bad driver, drive to close blah blah blah and "oh it's only a minute delay" but it's more of a 4-5 minute delay on what should be a 20 minute journey. That's a fair bit extra on a short journey. It's not the end of the world but there's days I just want to get home after working a stressful 12 hour shift. I'm only human, everyone has their days where they just want to get home.

Lads, can't someone just have a vent on something annoying? Yeah people are free to drive whatever speed they want but when there's a massive queue of traffic in the morning it starts to effect more than just me, other drivers get angry and try to overtake etc.

I'm aware laws are there, can people stop overlooking the fact I never once mentioned speeding, overtaking, tailgating, flashing the lights etc.

Remind me to put up a clip of me driving on this road because apparently being frustrated at nervous drivers means I'm a speed demon with an anger problem.

And I am pretty chill, when I get stuck I let out a sigh and usually say "for feck sake..." Then I apologize to the girlfriend for being 5 minutes late for dinner while she's waiting to eat.

How did they pass the test?

Yes, the 60kph is a limit and you don't have to do it but when everyone else is driving 60 it makes it an issue.

archer22

DaveyDave wrote: »

No, I don't drive over 60 on the 60 road and I don't actually brake on the bends because they're ever so slight that I don't need to. People are quick to jump on the bandwagon here suggesting I'm a bad driver, drive to close blah blah blah and "oh it's only a minute delay" but it's more of a 4-5 minute delay on what should be a 20 minute journey. That's a fair bit extra on a short journey. It's not the end of the world but there's days I just want to get home after working a stressful 12 hour shift. I'm only human, everyone has their days where they just want to get home.

Lads, can't someone just have a vent on something annoying? Yeah people are free to drive whatever speed they want but when there's a massive queue of traffic in the morning it starts to effect more than just me, other drivers get angry and try to overtake etc.

I'm aware laws are there, can people stop overlooking the fact I never once mentioned speeding, overtaking, tailgating, flashing the lights etc.

Remind me to put up a clip of me driving on this road because apparently being frustrated at nervous drivers means I'm a speed demon with an anger problem.

And I am pretty chill, when I get stuck I let out a sigh and usually say "for feck sake..." Then I apologize to the girlfriend for being 5 minutes late for dinner while she's waiting to eat.

How did they pass the test?

Yes, the 60kph is a limit and you don't have to do it but when everyone else is driving 60 it makes it an issue.

Well then tell her to put on dinner 5 minutes later...then you can eat together, we don't have to listen to your whinging and everybody else on the road gets to go home safely ...there problem solved :cool:

Malayalam

Some of us have had a few very bad accidents that could have been fatal but for great luck. Accidents that in my case involved zero driver error and were the result of blow outs, brake cable failing, oil spill on corner.

These accidents leave their mark - to get back out on the road again afterwards takes tremendous courage, and to do it again and again, after repeated events over which one had no control except in terms of limited options for response, is almost heroic! I am sure it is the same for others as it is for me.

In spite of the accidents and in spite of the nervousness they inevitably induce, we would still like to live our lives, thanks very much, and not be confined to the house (especially in very remote areas).

Usually we choose the back roads because we feel some measure of control there, because of the absence of the speeds considered normal on the main roads. In fact we are doing it as a matter of consideration and courtesy for other drivers, leaving the wide open highways to your self-assured selves, while we bravely face the smaller roads in spite of past experience.

We usually pull in to let people pass at the very first opportunity, we are acutely aware that you are there, you don't have to sit on our tail. We are not driving carefully to annoy you. We are not bad drivers, we are in fact often very good drivers who have experienced at extremely close quarters the potential mortality associated with driving, it being as is said the single most dangerous activity we all do in our daily lives.

Thank you - from me - to those drivers who humanely practice a few minutes of patience while we get on courageously with our driving lives.

beauf

DaveyDave wrote: »

... but it's more of a 4-5 minute delay on what should be a 20 minute journey...
.. . That's a fair bit extra on a short journey....

It really isn't... And I'll bet it's closer to a1-2 mins.

GreeBo

dr.fuzzenstein wrote: »

It is perfectly legal to drive at the limit.
It's not like 100 is some kind of lunatic speed where the force of gravity propels you into some kind of black hole and you go to warp.
Anyone who is incapable of gently wafting along at 100 km/h on a suitable road in perfect conditions should not be on the road.
It should be part of the test. Instant fail.

And if we're talking about 80 km/h. My mother is 80 and she can drive that speed. Anyone who is not able to drive as fast as an 80 year old Granny who uses a zimmer frame should check into the old folks home now.
I even drove at 200 today. It was a breeze.
If someone is scared at 80, he/she should walk or get the bus

No one said it was illegal, what we are saying is that a limit is just that, it's not a target speed or an average speed. It's the absolute max you should be doing on that road.

Of course you can drive at that speed, I can drive at 300, doesn't mean I should, hence limits.


Btw it's pretty ridiculous to argue that someone 40kph under the limit is a danger and then come in here and be bragging about being 80 to 100 over the limit.
One might say idiotic in fact.

Riva10

beauf wrote: »

It really isn't... And I'll bet it's closer to a1-2 mins.

And at the end of the day "Better 5 minutes late than DEAD on time" and those extra 5 minutes cooking your din dins may even save you getting salmonella

dr.fuzzenstein

DaveyDave wrote: »

Lads, can't someone just have a vent on something annoying? Yeah people are free to drive whatever speed they want but when there's a massive queue of traffic in the morning it starts to effect more than just me, other drivers get angry and try to overtake etc.

I'm aware laws are there, can people stop overlooking the fact I never once mentioned speeding, overtaking, tailgating, flashing the lights etc.
.

Well, there's 2 very good points you made.
First point, "I Am Entitled To Be On The Road!" and "I Drive How I See Fit!"
No you're not. You are allowed on the road as long as you are licensed, your car is taxed, insured and tested and you are not incapacitated by drugs (and that includes "harmless" prescription drugs), alcohol or illness. (My father drove far too long with dementia, we took the keys off him in the end).
Also, you are most certainly not entitled to drive how you alone see fit. You must obey the rules of the road (yes, including posted limits which you are perfectly free to drive at, so don't give me this 'it's not a target' crap) and that also means reasonable progress.. You would fail your license if you didn't.

Second, as for beeping, flashing, tailgating, dangerous overtaking, if this happens to you on a daily basis, I'm afraid I got bad news. It's you.
I do keep to the limit and I try to make good progress, and over 20 years I have encountered this behavior less than a handful of times.
As they say, if you meet an asshole, you just met an asshole. If you meet nothing but assholes all day, you're the asshole.

edit:
If you're genuinely nervous, do an advanced driving course, go carting, go to open track days, it will work wonders. New perspective always helps.

Optimalprimerib

There's a Goldilocks zone when driving. Some are overly passive and drive slowly and nervously, others are more assertive and react better to get to where they are going more efficiently.

Being either side of that spectrum too much frustrates other road users and causes negative effects to their driving. For example a slow driver may cause me to make a more risky overtaking maneuver. A driver right up my back, will make me more nervous and slow me down even more.

It's about hitting the sweet spot really.

martyc5674

Optimalprimerib wrote: »

For example a slow driver may cause me to make a more risky overtaking maneuver.

I’m afraid if you do a risky maneuver... your to blame.

dr.fuzzenstein

GreeBo wrote: »

No one said it was illegal, what we are saying is that a limit is just that, it's not a target speed or an average speed. It's the absolute max you should be doing on that road.

Of course you can drive at that speed, I can drive at 300, doesn't mean I should, hence limits.


Btw it's pretty ridiculous to argue that someone 40kph under the limit is a danger and then come in here and be bragging about being 80 to 100 over the limit.
One might say idiotic in fact.

It would be ridiculous to argue that they are not. The 60 k brigade are just about the worst road users out there, they're just driving around in their own pink little bubble and they have the awareness of a fencepost. How often has one of them cut me up at a roundabout or junction, they didn't even notice the nose of the car about 3 meters away from them, the flashing full beams or the horn blaring. They usually just drive on with an expression of vacant bliss on their face. If they didn't notice the above, they certainly won't notice a child or that they're going down the motorway the wrong way. Also notice how they drive 60 no matter where they are, back road, motorway, town center...
Also, I never said I drove over the limit, that's a pretty steep assumption. I drive at the limit or as conditions allow and I have no points on my license. Speed is not always dangerous and slow is not always safe.
As for the usual "it's a limit not a target" puke, I refer to my previous post.
If the limit is 100 and conditions allow for it, go for it, you will find that reality itself will warp as your gravity increases to neutron star levels and time will stand still at this utterly mind and bone shattering, insane speed it's actually quite relaxing because it really is not that fast. If you think it is, take the bus or drive a tractor.

Riva10

dr.fuzzenstein wrote: »

or drive a tractor.

Very few tractors are capable of 60 km/h You will be held up even more. :P

dr.fuzzenstein

Riva10 wrote: »

Very few tractors are capable of 60 km/h You will be held up even more. :P

At least at 30 they're easy to overtake.

GreeBo

dr.fuzzenstein wrote: »

...
Also, I never said I drove over the limit, that's a pretty steep assumption.

dr.fuzzenstein wrote: »

I even drove at 200 today. It was a breeze.

Forgive my terrible assumption.

Perhaps too much sherry?

Delphinium

Night driving on unlit country roads requires concentration. You must be able to come to a dead stop within the limit of the dimmed lights. Now that distance has increased with better lights. It is also crucial to make sure the windscreen is clean inside and out and if wearing glasses they should also be spotless. I will brake if a car approaching blinds me with head lights or if I’m not absolutely sure there is no pedestrian on the road. Drive a big powerful car so not easily intimidated. Love to at least hit the limit when conditions are right.

GreeBo

dr.fuzzenstein wrote: »

It would be ridiculous to argue that they are not. The 60 k brigade are just about the worst road users out there, they're just driving around in their own pink little bubble and they have the awareness of a fencepost. How often has one of them cut me up at a roundabout or junction, they didn't even notice the nose of the car about 3 meters away from them, the flashing full beams or the horn blaring. They usually just drive on with an expression of vacant bliss on their face. If they didn't notice the above, they certainly won't notice a child or that they're going down the motorway the wrong way. Also notice how they drive 60 no matter where they are, back road, motorway, town center...
.

All hail King Generalizatior!

GreeBo

Delphinium wrote: »

. Drive a big powerful car so not easily intimidated.

Sorry, but what does the first half of this sentence have to do with the second half?

I think I know what Dr Freud would say...

dr.fuzzenstein

GreeBo wrote: »

Forgive my terrible assumption.

Perhaps too much sherry?

I haven't touched a drop.