Does everyone hate learners or what?

asim18 · 5 Mar 2009 at 00:19

I've had 4 driving lessons so far.

I'm driving down the road at a steady 30mph and EVERYONE wants to overtake or start flashing headlights from behind me whenever possible!

WTF is up with this?

Today I was in a 40mph zone, doing 40mph spot on and still everyone wants to overtake!

Also today, instructor told me that I have priority at some weird T junction with a roundabout. The guy that was supposed to give way was stopped at the threshold. As I drove past, he started honking and flashing me! I was at least 2-3 metres away from him!

Luckily, the instructor is bloody awesome, he pulls down the window, starts swearing at them, and sticks his fingers up at them.

Sonea Fifer · 5 Mar 2009 at 00:23

Welcome to the world of driving - dont be put off though. There just as many curteous drivers out there as there are idiots.

As far as I'm concerned I'd sit quite happily behind a learner (at a respectful distance) regardless of what speed is being done, some people just have to remember we all had to learn at some point.

Sime · 5 Mar 2009 at 00:24

People see the L plates and take the **** mate...Just gotta live with it

I personally try to help them out as much as possible.

Janesy B · 5 Mar 2009 at 00:25

Welcome to the roads of London...

snake_element · 5 Mar 2009 at 00:26

Hmm I'll be learning to drive at the end of this year, it's a shame some people feel the need to make it more daunting for new drivers :/

Good luck with your test...

Clarkey · 5 Mar 2009 at 00:29

I'll get past a learner wherever I can, won't flash or honk though what's the point in that.

Memphis · 5 Mar 2009 at 00:32

Sime said:
I personally try to help them out as much as possible.

This.

Can't ****ing stand ending up in traffic behind one car who is just behind a learner and watching them sit inches from the learner's bumper. I'll sit back from them, and give them a little more room than normal if I pull up behind one at traffic lights or junctions. I was only a learner 5 years ago, and can remember as clear as day the intimidation from other road users. That was up here too. I can't even imagine what it's like trying to learn to drive in a major city (with regards to other road users before anyone points out it would be the same).

UK|AL · 5 Mar 2009 at 00:42

Nothing ****ed me off more when i was a learner driver when people came right up to your bumper on hill starts, I was tempted to just drop brake and go into them or just 'fail' with finding the biting point, teach them a lesson.

Plus they feel a need to overtake learners even though your going the speed limit or even a bit over. On single roads they go right up your ass, to make you speed up even though your going the correct speed.

I felt your pain.

analog · 5 Mar 2009 at 00:52

There is always one, some times i think the instructor is at fault, letting someone who can't keep up with the flow drive round a busy city is a bad idea since it brings everything to a crawl. (doesn't sound like it in your case)

When i was learning i didn't really get any people flashing at me etc, people two foot off the back bumper was common and still happens now, part of me enjoys making some of them wait.

Personally if i see a learner, i give them plenty of space and keep back, sitting a foot off their bumper tends to put people off and the way see it, if i am behind you at a safe distance there is no chance you can cause me problems, were as if i am in front you might go into the back of me etc.
But i will get past if you are doing 30-40 in a clear NSL.

I try to help them too, but i don't often flash them out etc, sometimes it can make the flap and panic if they weren't ready.

P plates get you a similar reaction so im told, so i wouldn't bother with them.
But even when you pass if you want to do the limit there are always people wanting to do more yet won't overtake or drop back, just sit on your back bumper, some how the closer they are, the faster they can go?

Zefan · 5 Mar 2009 at 00:54

Zefan · 5 Mar 2009 at 00:57

analog said:
I try to help them too, but i don't often flash them out etc, sometimes it can make the flap and panic if they weren't ready

It's more likely due to the fact that you're doing something that you are taught not to do. Flashing lights isn't supposed to be "Yeah go ahead", but a "I'm here".

:Edit: Might as well double post eh.

Amnesia · 5 Mar 2009 at 01:03

reverse around a corner manoeuvre .....an old couple come around the corner and pretty much park behind me.
they refused to go around...sat there for about 4-5 mins which felt like forever.

instructor failed me because i pulled away without completing the manoeuvre.

UK|AL · 5 Mar 2009 at 01:04

memory said:
reverse around a corner manoeuvre .....an old couple come around the corner and pretty much park behind me.
they refused to go around...sat there for about 4-5 mins which felt like forever.

instructor failed me because i pulled away without completing the manoeuvre.

Did you point out your concern to him? If safty is compromised they won't do it.

Amnesia · 5 Mar 2009 at 01:11

i said im pulling off as they are not moving and i cant do the manoeuvre.
he was a grumpy old git tbh.....i felt his decision was pretty harsh

analog · 5 Mar 2009 at 01:21

Zefan said:
It's more likely due to the fact that you're doing something that you are taught not to do. Flashing lights isn't supposed to be "Yeah go ahead", but a "I'm here".

:Edit: Might as well double post eh.

True, but i've used it and seen it used 10x more to let people out than to let someone know you are there and regardless of what you are told, you still know its common practice.
And obviously it relies heavily on when, where and how you do it, its often blatantly obvious, but as a learner you get set into a routine of what to do, look right left, move off it clear etc, if someone flashes you, it chucks a spanner in the works and you forget to do something, try pull out too quickly and stall etc.

Fido McNasty · 5 Mar 2009 at 02:44

If I see you with your L plates I'm your best friend. I was there once and know exactly how it feels. The last thing you need is some ignorant moron behaving like you should be off the road out of the way. And if I find some twonk giving a learner a hard time, I'll usually diplomatically intervene whether the aggressor likes it or not.

Scania · 5 Mar 2009 at 04:58

Fido McNasty said:
If I see you with your L plates I'm your best friend.

Thats why you have no friends, the L plates go on the car.

analog said:
True, but i've used it and seen it used 10x more to let people out than to let someone know you are there and regardless of what you are told, you still know its common practice.
And obviously it relies heavily on when, where and how you do it, its often blatantly obvious, but as a learner you get set into a routine of what to do, look right left, move off it clear etc, if someone flashes you, it chucks a spanner in the works and you forget to do something, try pull out too quickly and stall etc.

"Flashing out" a learner who's on their test will get them a fail! - The instructor would mark them down for failing to see the on-coming car warning them of its presence (thats pretty much how the highway code says it iirc - cba to check right now!) you have no idea if its a lesson slowing you up or somebody on a test, remember that.

You would not believe how many times I have seen somebody "flash out" another car and then plough straight into them!

Just because something is common practice it does not make it right, that said, like everybody else, from time to time I do it myself also.

( |-| |2 ][ $ · 5 Mar 2009 at 05:15

R420LA6X2/4MNA said:
"Flashing out" a learner who's on their test will get them a fail! - The instructor would mark them down for failing to see the on-coming car warning them of its presence (thats pretty much how the highway code says it iirc - cba to check right now!)

Does that mean if I flash learners out all the time then I could help keep more drivers off the road?

Sounds like a plan. (yes I do think there's too many cars and lorries on the road and yes I am selfish.) I believe overpopulation is the cause (direct or indirect) of most problems these days.

Scania · 5 Mar 2009 at 05:27

( |-| |2 ][ $;13620590 said:
Does that mean if I flash learners out all the time then I could help keep more drivers off the road?

Sounds like a plan. (yes I do think there's too many cars and lorries on the road and yes I am selfish.) I believe overpopulation is the cause (direct or indirect) of most problems these days.

The Edge · 5 Mar 2009 at 07:22

I was flashed out on one of my tests, but i did wait until the car stopped before i moved out and wasn't marked down for it. It's a common sense thing really, just a pity i failed on a blind spot check.

I don't flash learners, or drive up their bumpers but i do pass if it's safe to do so and i need to. The estate i live is quiet and is where you tend to get the 20mph-not-yet-ready-for-the-big-wide-world style learners. By and large the ones on main roads round here will do 30 and i'll accept that becasue they have to do 30 and i should be