Straddling white lines

How can it be safer? If you need all the road you're going too fast.
How is not driving through potholes, over drain covers, rough edges to the road etc dangerous.

Driving in the middle of the road and driving too fast are not the same thing. If you're driving at a suitable speed that gives you enough time to react to potential hazards then there is no issue.
 
I can tell you are one of those people who gets angry when overtaken ;)
<sarcasm>I do now as I have a poxy 2.2 Vectra but when I had my 95 Aero no-one overtook me, EVER.</sarcasm>
 
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How is not driving through potholes, over drain covers, rough edges to the road etc dangerous.

Driving in the middle of the road and driving too fast are not the same thing. If you're driving at a suitable speed that gives you enough time to react to potential hazards then there is no issue.
It's a weak argument for straddling though. Not every road has potholes forcing people into the middle. It's a visibility thing creating less steering input and a smoother ride. I get it, really, but come on, potholes?
 
I do now as I have a poxy 2.2 Vectra but when I had my 95 Aero no-one overtook me, EVER.

right so now you are the one who drives too fast then....


as for never being overtaken EVER, there are plenty of cars capable of overtaking a saab with ease, you are saying you are on of those people who try to block overtakers dangerously then?
 
So does a slower speed.

But then combine a slower speed with the same thing and you improve things even more ;).

You don't have to be going fast to gain advantages from it. No point wasting all that lovely tarmac if no-one else is going to be using it :D
 
right so now you are the one who drives too fast then....


as for never being overtaken EVER, there are plenty of cars capable of overtaking a saab with ease, you are saying you are on of those people who try to block overtakers dangerously then?
I've edited my above post, go check it out.
 
But then combine a slower speed with the same thing and you improve things even more ;).

You don't have to be going fast to gain advantages from it. No point wasting all that lovely tarmac if no-one else is going to be using it :D
At last. I agree. Improve visibility, sure, but don't offset the extra safety by speeding up.
 
It's a weak argument for straddling though. Not every road has potholes forcing people into the middle. It's a visibility thing creating less steering input and a smoother ride. I get it, really, but come on, potholes?
Have you ever actually driven on a minor road in the countryside?

I don't know about where you live, but on most b-class roads or less up here, the first 1-2 feet at the side of the road are usually rough as hell.
 
Have you ever actually driven on a minor road in the countryside?
Yes, nearly everyday.

I don't know about where you live, but on most b-class roads or less up here, the first 1-2 feet at the side of the road are usually rough as hell.

They are everywhere. On a road with no markings then you're going to centre run but roads with markings have enough room to contain the car and the road quality isn't justification for straddling. I guess we're talking different grades of roads where common sense plays a part.

The OP straddles for 'safety reasons'. This is the point of discussion here. I straddle myself but I wouldn't want to explain it to a constable.
 
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The OP straddles for 'safety reasons'. This is the point of discussion here. I straddle myself but I wouldn't want to explain it to a constable.
The OP asked it from the point of view of:-

along a narrow B-Road
I agree doing it on a A road isn't likely to achieve anything, but on a B road it's a different matter. I'm pretty sure I was even told by a traffic cop during a winter driving presentation that it was preferable because of the build up of loose material at the side of the road can affect braking.
 
Last night when driving back from a restaurant along a narrow B-Road I took up a position dead centre in the road i.e. straddling the white lines. That's how I tend to drive at night and first started doing it after doing the IAM course. Fewer potholes, smoother around bends and at night there is always plenty of time to move over if anything is oncoming. Obviously I moved to the left around blind corners and any summits but my father still wasn't happy and felt I should have been in my 'lane' at all times.

What do you do, but more importantly what are the arguments FOR driving the way I do, my argument of 'well I just feel safer' didn't really cut it....


I agree with your father.

There is one road I drive straight down the middle but thats because its in a shocking state and its the only way to make decent progress down it. If you have to pull over to one side its down bellow 30 if you like your suspension intact.
 
I'm pretty sure I was even told by a traffic cop during a winter driving presentation that it was preferable because of the build up of loose material at the side of the road can affect braking.
I completely understand why, but I'll say again, if it's a safety thing then lowering speed has the same effect.

Would you do it in front of a police officer and be confident of explaining it?
 
yeah I drive down the middle on rough lanes if I can see there are no oncoming cars, bouncing all over the bumps at the edge isn't my idea of fun.

I do this, suspension bushes aren't cheap. Actually that's a lie they are, but the labour at the garage isn't!
 
Hold on a sec, are people really saying its safer to drive in the middle of the road because you can go faster and take corners at greater speed because you have to move less and have more visability?

I know there are a lot of morons on the road and now ive just proved myself right. How about you slow down and stick to the correct side of the road.
 
The OP and their father may have different opinions on what's the best time to move over. I wouldn't be a comfortable passenger with someone straddling. I'd need to be in control.

As styles of driving go I think it's a personal one you make and you'll just have to respect others opinions on it, especially if you're carrying them.
 
Hold on a sec, are people really saying its safer to drive in the middle of the road because you can go faster and take corners at greater speed because you have to move less and have more visability?

I know there are a lot of morons on the road and now ive just proved myself right. How about you slow down and stick to the correct side of the road.
It's now moved on to 'comfort' reasons. Safety, yes, but comfort or more speed, no.
 
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