JKD Posted yesterday at 06:59 Report Share Posted yesterday at 06:59 ,,,, for some [lots !] of people ?! Every day I drive, at all different times, all over SE London and large areas of Kent, and it's constant bad, terrible, awful [insert your own description] driving all around me. Don't get me wrong,,,, I'm no saint on the roads, but I'm courteous, cautious and constantly aware of my surroundings driving a Renault trafic van. And it's consistently getting worse ! How I don't see numerous accidents every day is amazing ! Is there a reason for this ? At the end of the day, driving isn't rocket science,,,, or is it ?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted yesterday at 07:04 Report Share Posted yesterday at 07:04 Yes, it is terrible everywhere over the last five years or so. People sit at junctions especially at traffic lights and almost seem surprised when the light goes GREEN. There is then a pause while they think what to do next. I am also aware of the WOT, Wheels On Tarmac set up I am seeing so often now. Initially, apparently meant to make over taking a broken down vehicle in front of you easier. It just causes more delay and puts vehicles further back from the junction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted yesterday at 07:15 Report Share Posted yesterday at 07:15 i drove long distances for the jobs i had going all over the UK.....driving during the day was a real PIA so i did all my driving late evening ?night ...i had a top car a volvo estate auto...(same the police had) it was all leather interior amd supremley comfortable and fast...... driving at night/eve...was a good wind down and really relaxing...used to love it...used to stop regulary for food and water etc dont know what it would be like now... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted yesterday at 07:26 Report Share Posted yesterday at 07:26 Early morning is the best time, but only the motorway service stations and a few large petrol stations on major junctions are open. Interesting; https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4gpkgly9qzo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mellors Posted yesterday at 08:37 Report Share Posted yesterday at 08:37 Simple fact too many vehicles on the road. I spent 40 years on the road trucking all over the uk and Europe. Driving standards are awful how some get a license is beyond me just watch them try to park or negotiate roundabouts clueless. How some cope daily now i don't know the last couple of years so many road works round here but the roads get worse just dig holes patch em up pot holes every where. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JKD Posted yesterday at 09:07 Author Report Share Posted yesterday at 09:07 21 minutes ago, mellors said: Simple fact too many vehicles on the road. I spent 40 years on the road trucking all over the uk and Europe. Driving standards are awful how some get a license is beyond me just watch them try to park or negotiate roundabouts clueless. How some cope daily now i don't know the last couple of years so many road works round here but the roads get worse just dig holes patch em up pot holes every where. Well I certainly agree with your first sentence 👍 Some of the worst driving I see is HGV's, artics,,,, some drive them like it's a car 🤬 The worst is French and Italian tagged vehicles, noticeably so, but many UK/British ones too ! I will add instances as the thread progresses, but just for now,,,, some days I get home after an hour or more driving from a job, and my jaws are aching from the laughing [and shouting] at the pee poor driving on the entire journey 😦🤣 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveboy Posted yesterday at 09:17 Report Share Posted yesterday at 09:17 Anyone that drives faster than me is a lunatic, anyone that drives slower is an idiot.🤣 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dougy Posted yesterday at 09:44 Report Share Posted yesterday at 09:44 I had 6 or 7 weeks driving to Brum Airport, M42 or A38 both as bad, journey time should be around 40 mins not just under 2 hours. Gave my notice in and retired Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old'un Posted yesterday at 09:55 Report Share Posted yesterday at 09:55 36 minutes ago, daveboy said: Anyone that drives faster than me is a lunatic, anyone that drives slower is an idiot.🤣 White van drivers are some of the worst offenders, driving and parking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DUNKS Posted yesterday at 10:01 Report Share Posted yesterday at 10:01 I dont think its just driving that has altered, its people that have altered and that affects driving and most other aspects of life today. JMHO of course with 88 years of experience! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Boggy Posted yesterday at 10:09 Report Share Posted yesterday at 10:09 12 minutes ago, old'un said: White van drivers are some of the worst offenders, driving and parking. Fortunately the OP (JKD) drives a grey van Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
30-6 Posted yesterday at 10:15 Report Share Posted yesterday at 10:15 Come to Wales. I think if there was a theory test for what speed limits are on various roads, no-one would get 100% correct. Too many unnecessary speed bumps and traffic lights. Various companies are digging up roads, and then few months later some other company will dig it back up. Road closures and 4 way traffic lights make a short journey longer. People are so frustrated common sense and courtesy goes out the window. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old'un Posted yesterday at 10:21 Report Share Posted yesterday at 10:21 11 minutes ago, Old Boggy said: Fortunately the OP (JKD) drives a grey van Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old'un Posted yesterday at 10:32 Report Share Posted yesterday at 10:32 30 minutes ago, DUNKS said: I dont think its just driving that has altered, its people that have altered and that affects driving and most other aspects of life today. JMHO of course with 88 years of experience! 88 years driving on the roads? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DUNKS Posted yesterday at 12:08 Report Share Posted yesterday at 12:08 1 hour ago, old'un said: 88 years driving on the roads? Seems like it. Three long roads on the estate I was born in. Not one car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JKD Posted yesterday at 12:17 Author Report Share Posted yesterday at 12:17 2 hours ago, Old Boggy said: Fortunately the OP (JKD) drives a grey van Just to be exact, it's silver 2 hours ago, daveboy said: Anyone that drives faster than me is a lunatic, anyone that drives slower is an idiot.🤣 😆🤣 I describe them as driving with lead shoes on, or driving in their slippers 😆 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisv Posted yesterday at 12:40 Report Share Posted yesterday at 12:40 5 hours ago, TIGHTCHOKE said: Yes, it is terrible everywhere over the last five years or so. People sit at junctions especially at traffic lights and almost seem surprised when the light goes GREEN. There is then a pause while they think what to do next. I am also aware of the WOT, Wheels On Tarmac set up I am seeing so often now. Initially, apparently meant to make over taking a broken down vehicle in front of you easier. It just causes more delay and puts vehicles further back from the junction. The green light does seem to confuse some people! Most of the junctions in this area are at the limit of their capacity due to additional housing in the last 10 years. The traffic lights all have sensors in the road to monitor the length of the queue in each direction. So many people seem to be unable to grasp the idea that if they leave a gap over the sensor nearest the lights, even with a queue of 40 plus cars, the lights will change straight back to red. It seems to happen every morning on my way to work 😤 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted yesterday at 12:50 Report Share Posted yesterday at 12:50 I'm glad you've seen it and explained what is going on. When I was taught to drive we pulled up to a foot off the bumper of the vehicle in front and even applied the handbrake, oh how things have changed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnfromUK Posted yesterday at 13:54 Report Share Posted yesterday at 13:54 1 hour ago, TIGHTCHOKE said: the handbrake The young don't probably even know what that is. Apparently 'hand' brakes are now either a switch, or an 'American style' pedal operated thing. Fortunately my cars are old fashioned and I still have a genuine hand brake. Pulling away at a steep junction was always exciting in my original LandRover as the handbrake was at floor level, so to reach it you had to bend right down to the point where seeing out of the windscreen wasn't easy ........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisv Posted yesterday at 14:24 Report Share Posted yesterday at 14:24 Tightchoke Sorry, my reply wasn’t very clear. It’s once the traffic has started moving that any long gap between the vehicles causes the lights to change to red. Regarding gaps in the standing traffic, I used to do as you do and not leave a gap. Now, I tend to leave a bit of room so that I can adjust my position in case the inevitable emergency vehicle is trying to force its way through, as happened last night on my way home. Nobody could move anywhere, so the queue just sat there until the lights changed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mellors Posted yesterday at 18:19 Report Share Posted yesterday at 18:19 8 hours ago, JKD said: Well I certainly agree with your first sentence 👍 Some of the worst driving I see is HGV's, artics,,,, some drive them like it's a car 🤬 The worst is French and Italian tagged vehicles, noticeably so, but many UK/British ones too ! I will add instances as the thread progresses, but just for now,,,, some days I get home after an hour or more driving from a job, and my jaws are aching from the laughing [and shouting] at the pee poor driving on the entire journey 😦🤣 😊. Yes there's a lot of poorly trained truck drivers here mainly the bulkers and tippers. Your right there i was told the trucks over there are blessed by the church so there bomb proof I've had many an entertaining day going round french city's. The rome ring road is truly an education they come on from both sides up the slip roads hands firmly pressed on the horn its more like a computer game. Portugal is very laid back as long as there on the road regardless of which side its fine. The biggest problem here is there taught to pass the test not to read the road. Oh i forgot texting and face time is perfectly ok. Glad I'm retired but the working class are a pain now. 😊 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted yesterday at 18:26 Report Share Posted yesterday at 18:26 6 minutes ago, mellors said: 😊. Yes there's a lot of poorly trained truck drivers here mainly the bulkers and tippers. Your right there i was told the trucks over there are blessed by the church so there bomb proof I've had many an entertaining day going round french city's. The rome ring road is truly an education they come on from both sides up the slip roads hands firmly pressed on the horn its more like a computer game. Portugal is very laid back as long as there on the road regardless of which side its fine. The biggest problem here is there taught to pass the test not to read the road. Oh i forgot texting and face time is perfectly ok. Glad I'm retired but the working class are a pain now. 😊 In Belize it was quite normal to just drive on the "BEST" bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JKD Posted yesterday at 18:32 Author Report Share Posted yesterday at 18:32 Just now, TIGHTCHOKE said: In Belize it was quite normal to just drive on the "BEST" bit. It's like that here sometimes 😬 Well, after another 3 hours of driving today [2 × 1.5 hours] to cover 30 miles in total, I got home safely, but even more astounded by the 🤬🤬🤬 driving each way 🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JKD Posted yesterday at 20:41 Author Report Share Posted yesterday at 20:41 As an example of pee poor driving [actually aggressive bordering on illegal], this driver [female, and I assumed foreign] tried to overtake me on a fairly tight section of road, during the school run, in a line of very slow traffic a few vehicles behind a bus, which was obviously stopping now and then. She suddenly went for the pass, forcing vehicles on the opposite side to swerve out of her way, and probably clip/scrape the kerb. I didn't allow this, as she was scraping down the side of my van, even after I swerved slightly and was running along the kerb. A large van heading towards her on the opposite side forced her to brake and pull in partly behind me, at which point I stopped to confront the moron and take some pictures before she drove off, which she did when she got the chance, waving her hands about like a lunatic ! And this was shortly after I had a near miss with a vehicle heading the opposite way which went for a speedy and very risky overtake on a bus slowing for a bus stop. Collision avoided by me swerving sharply out of the way, again on a tightish bit of road ! 🤬🤬🤬 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
countryman Posted yesterday at 20:43 Report Share Posted yesterday at 20:43 Narrow country roads are the most dangerous for me, I had a van driver the other day come aggressively right up to the front of my car, he wanted me to back back which I would if I was the nearest to a passing point, I could see just behind him was a passing point but he just kept edging closer to me, another car then came up behind me and he had to then go back, as I went by I put my hand up to thank him which was met with a one finger salute, some people are really not right these days no wonder there are so many road rage incidents. On another note my insurance we’re offering insurance for road rage saying they are getting a lot of Dental claims. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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