Driving Psychology

CaptainRAVE · 31 Jul 2011 at 10:40

Hand gestures work well too -

I remember going to overtake a couple of cars doing 30-40 on an uphill in a 60 zone, when the KA infront of me decides last minute to overtake and block me off :rolleyes:

Coming into Bath with two lanes coming down to one, a caravan going super slow on the inside and car infront doing EXACTLY the same speed meaning we all ended up stuck behind the caravan. Actually, that guy got a beep and hand gestures.

Driving doesn't bring out the best side of me

Barry Smalley · 31 Jul 2011 at 11:07

NathanE said:
Whoosh.

Not Whoosh at all.

I totally understand what he meant, but like NickXX said - why not just pass on the left instead of getting wound up about it. Not only is the OP annoyed because his way was obstructed, but he's also annoyed the other driver by flashing his lights.
This happens thousands of times a day. Who cares?

Matt82 · 31 Jul 2011 at 11:11

MikeHiow said:
You clearly insulted his manhood by wanting to go faster.

thats right, but why does it apply to women too??

Simon · 31 Jul 2011 at 11:13

Kenai said:
Last time I checked, I didn't live and drive every day in Turkey, so the habits of Turkish drivers are somewhat irrelevant really.

Go read the highway code then, you will see what flashing headlights means

Kenai · 31 Jul 2011 at 11:22

I know what it's supposed to mean but that doesn't change the fact that flashing at someone when you're behind them is pretty much universally received as a sign of aggression.

You can get out and show them the highway code all you like, it won't change how people actually perceive things here.

Simon · 31 Jul 2011 at 11:30

Which is why I said in Turkey (as an example) they don't see it as aggressive.

It's just the British mentality - I think it depends on the car too. If someone flashes you in a sportscar I think it's more accepted than a Repmobile TDi

Kenai · 31 Jul 2011 at 11:35

But still, the point remains, how people interpret things in Turkey is entirely irrelevant to how people interpret things here. Just because people in Turkey flash their lights in X way, doesn't make a blind bit of difference to the fact that in the UK it's viewed in Y way.

That said, the rule is written as follows:

"110: Flashing headlights. Only flash your headlights to let other road users know that you are there. Do not flash your headlights to convey any other message or intimidate other road users."

Considering flashing at people when you're right up behind them wanting to overtake is arguably "Get the **** out of my way" rather than a simple "I'm here", then you could argue it's not appropriate by the book anyway

Barry Smalley · 31 Jul 2011 at 11:40

Kenai said:
But still, the point remains, how people interpret things in Turkey is entirely irrelevant to how people interpret things here. Just because people in Turkey flash their lights in X way, doesn't make a blind bit of difference to the fact that in the UK it's viewed in Y way.

That said, the rule is written as follows:

"110: Flashing headlights. Only flash your headlights to let other road users know that you are there. Do not flash your headlights to convey any other message or intimidate other road users."

Considering flashing at people when you're right up behind them wanting to overtake is arguably "Get the **** out of my way" rather than a simple "I'm here", then you could argue it's not appropriate by the book anyway

I agree with you. Go to Italy and everybody is leaning on their horn. That simply wouldn't be cricket over here.

james.miller · 31 Jul 2011 at 11:42

Kenai said:
Considering flashing at people when you're right up behind them wanting to overtake is arguably "Get the **** out of my way" rather than a simple "I'm here", then you could argue it's not appropriate by the book anyway

that's how idiots doing 30 in a 40 in the wrong lane of a dual carriageway would take it, yes.

Sin_Chase · 31 Jul 2011 at 11:53

I was behind a Jag going down hill yesterday, 30 in a 40 he was doing. So I just chucked it in 3rd and rolled down off the throttle behind him.

The thing which annoyed me the most though was he rode the brakes the ENTIRE way down. On straights, before corners, in them the lot. No wonder his alloys were a shade of grey instead of silver. Brake dust AHOOOOY.

I know it should not of been annoying but it just was, I hate incompetency like this. To top it off the same tit then then decided to undertake on the dual carriageway. Muppet.

Mr^B · 31 Jul 2011 at 11:58

Why were you in the right-hand lane? Who were you overtaking?

Just a question, because if there was nothing in the left-hand lane, neither of you had any reason to be in the right-hand lane.

RedvGreen · 31 Jul 2011 at 12:37

Mr^B said:
Why were you in the right-hand lane? Who were you overtaking?

Just a question, because if there was nothing in the left-hand lane, neither of you had any reason to be in the right-hand lane.

Valid point, however the right-hand lane guy may not have seen him approach on the left side, thereby giving him no chance to drop lanes as he should have done (assuming he was still hogging the overtaking lane).

shroomz · 31 Jul 2011 at 12:56

Simon said:
Go and drive in turkey. They all flash over there using it's correct meaning : 'I'm here'.

Like in the Middle East, the horn is code for "Why hello there chap, the light appears to have turned green" and is used the very instant the lights change

(this is because generally people use that time to text/change music/put on or take off shoes/just generally not looking)

Mr^B · 31 Jul 2011 at 13:43

f00f1ght0r said:
Valid point, however the right-hand lane guy may not have seen him approach on the left side, thereby giving him no chance to drop lanes as he should have done (assuming he was still hogging the overtaking lane).

He didn't see him approaching directly from behind, so it's a moot point.

I would have just stuck in the left-hand lane, at the speed limit, whilst keeping one eye on the other car in-case he decided to move back to the left.

Bad lane discipline vs undertaking. The latter would probably get a fixed penalty notice, the former, probably a shake of the head.

Just for the record, 40 is a limit not a target. By doing what the OP did, he merely turned one problem into two.

*shrugs*

Fusion · 31 Jul 2011 at 14:19

Kenai said:
"110: Flashing headlights. Only flash your headlights to let other road users know that you are there. Do not flash your headlights to convey any other message or intimidate other road users."

Considering flashing at people when you're right up behind them wanting to overtake is arguably "Get the **** out of my way" rather than a simple "I'm here", then you could argue it's not appropriate by the book anyway

Exactly. I meant to specify that it's aggressive when used the context of "get out of my way, you're not going fast enough" rather than to genuinely alert another driver of your presence.

PikeyPriest · 31 Jul 2011 at 14:20

I know speed limits are targets, but a general assumption is that those doing well below the limit are poor drivers or arent paying attention.

I drive the A414 reguarly and there arent many overtaking areas, but on 50% of journeys you will get stuck in a queue of traffic doing ~35-40. I can understand if its a farm tractors, big lorry...etc, but its normally a nissan micra. Then when you hit a clear straight I`ll do a quick overtake to be greeted by flashing of headlights :confused:

CaptainRAVE · 31 Jul 2011 at 14:29

PikeyPriest said:
I know speed limits are targets, but a general assumption is that those doing well below the limit are poor drivers or arent paying attention.

I drive the A414 reguarly and there arent many overtaking areas, but on 50% of journeys you will get stuck in a queue of traffic doing ~35-40. I can understand if its a farm tractors, big lorry...etc, but its normally a nissan micra. Then when you hit a clear straight I`ll do a quick overtake to be greeted by flashing of headlights

Same happens to me on A roads near me. I don't understand it either :confused:

needmorespeed · 31 Jul 2011 at 15:27

PikeyPriest said:
I know speed limits are targets, but a general assumption is that those doing well below the limit are poor drivers or arent paying attention.

I drive the A414 reguarly and there arent many overtaking areas, but on 50% of journeys you will get stuck in a queue of traffic doing ~35-40. I can understand if its a farm tractors, big lorry...etc, but its normally a nissan micra. Then when you hit a clear straight I`ll do a quick overtake to be greeted by flashing of headlights

Theres loads of places to overtake on the A414

Fr0dders · 31 Jul 2011 at 17:14

Jono8 said:
Now what on earth is the reasoning behind this, It's not like he could have thought the speed limit was 30, because it is signposted at 40 with those flashy led warning signs almost everywhere down the road and he was going that speed for a while.

This is not the first time this has happened but it annoys the hell out of me. Basically someone is going slow, you overtake them, they then decide to not go slow anymore and keep up with you. WHY!?

P.S. In case you are thinking that it was because it is at night and he thought i was the fuzz, it isnt because the road is lit the whole way.

People feel you are critiquing their driving.

By undertaking them, your sending them a message that they aren't driving fast enough, and their driving is so bad it warrants undertaking them.

Once you've done the manoeuvre, they will try and regain speed and keep up with you to prove that actually they are capable of driving properly, and to teach you a lesson and to get you back for humiliating them.

Best just to pull over, let them by and let them feel all manly and not engage with them.