Overtaking rant

[TW]Fox · 21 Mar 2008 at 01:06

Overtaking is one of the most dangerous things you'll ever do as the course of a driver - it puts you onto the wrong side of the road, potentially in the path of oncoming traffic. It must be completed as quickly and safely as possible.

People who impede overtaking by accelerating when a car is alongside them are very, very reckless indeed - the longer the overtaking car is out there on the wrong side of the road, the more dangerous the situation becomes.

I had it once, probably the scariest situation I've ever been in as a driver. I pulled out to overtake a Mondeo travelling at 40mph in a 60mph zone. As I accelerated past him, he accelerated to match my speed. I tried to drop back but the gap had already been closed by the muppet following behind. My only choice was to outrun him (Which in a 1.9TD powered car isn't exactly super easy).

I made it with feet to spare before the oncoming bend. Luckily nothing was coming the other day but it was bloody scarey I had to pull over for a break. It probably wouldnt be a problem now becuase generally speaking in the 530 I'm past people before they've even realised, but it's still an issue.

What did he hope to acheive? Why did he do it? I doubt we'll ever know.

Housey · 21 Mar 2008 at 01:09

420 horses is a good solution, it tends to minimize the issue

[TW]Fox · 21 Mar 2008 at 01:11

housemaster said:
420 horses is a good solution, it tends to minimize the issue

I can imagine, and I've not had a problem with it since I got 230 horses, but spare a thought for those in lower powered cars, if someone wants to overtake you let them get on with it. If you subsequently want to prove you've got a bigger penis by passing them, do it safely at the next opportunity. But dont try and stop them.

Housey · 21 Mar 2008 at 01:14

I have never knowingly accelerated to put someone overtaking in a difficult position when on a single lane road, I don't intend to start as its stupid and very dangerous. My reference was putting me in the position of the overtaker, not the overtaken, I don't have a fragile ego, if you wanna overtake feel free, life is too short to risk mine or anyone elses life.

ryder · 21 Mar 2008 at 01:15

I was only thinking about Dual carriageways and motorways.

I can't imagine anyone doing it on a single lane road. Certainly wouldn't try it myself.

[TW]Fox · 21 Mar 2008 at 01:16

ryder said:
I was only thinking about Dual carriageways and motorways.

I can't imagine anyone doing it on a single lane road. Certainly wouldn't try it myself.

I dont really class passing someone on a Motorway as overtaking. I guess technically it is but to me overtaking is for single carriageway roads.

Tom|Nbk · 21 Mar 2008 at 01:27

[TW]Fox;11339758 said:
I can imagine, and I've not had a problem with it since I got 230 horses, but spare a thought for those in lower powered cars, if someone wants to overtake you let them get on with it. If you subsequently want to prove you've got a bigger penis by passing them, do it safely at the next opportunity. But dont try and stop them.

I find 100 horsies just about allows for a good enough overtake but only if you drop the cogs and get your foot down

Can sypathise with those at 70BHP as 100BHP only just cuts it IMO. Would be ever so nice to not have to drop a gear and just floor it instead

[TW]Fox · 21 Mar 2008 at 01:28

Tom|Nbk said:
I find 100 horsies just about alows for a good enough overtake but only if you drop the cogs and get your foot down

Can sypathise with those at 70BHP as 100BHP only just cuts it IMO.

Last low power car I overtook in was a 145ish bhp Mk4 Mondeo. It really didnt feel like enough and take way too long to get past the truck.

Tom|Nbk · 21 Mar 2008 at 01:32

Then you can't have been in the right gear

. I can overtake people fast enough but it's all about being in the right gear with my car. If I tried a 60MPH overtake in 5th on a single carriageway it would be dangerous it required the dropping to 3rd/4th ideally 3rd as I will then hit the peak power/torque range and have enough power to actually get moving past them. I do overtake A LOT aswell.

But yea It would always be nice to have a bit more power.

[TW]Fox · 21 Mar 2008 at 01:42

I was in 2nd

Tom|Nbk · 21 Mar 2008 at 01:45

Going how fast?

I can't understand how it's not quick enough for you, I'd estimate it would take me a few seconds to overtake a lorry if I was really trying.

Even my mate in his Uber slow Golf 1.4 has no problems when overtaking.

Clarkey · 21 Mar 2008 at 01:48

100hp sucks for overtaking, OK for cars but overtaking trucks on the A roads around here is not something to be taken lightly :/ My eyes were really opened when I drove an STi impreza, overtaking with 300hp and short gearing is phenominal.

Tom|Nbk · 21 Mar 2008 at 01:51

I suppose when you drive something bigger it puts it all into perspective. I only drive my car regulary and feel that I get by OK. I'm sure this will change in a few years when I look back and go back into a slowish car. But for now I'll keep plodding with those 100 horsies.

Gaygle · 21 Mar 2008 at 02:44

[TW]Fox;11339737 said:
Overtaking is one of the most dangerous things you'll ever do as the course of a driver - it puts you onto the wrong side of the road, potentially in the path of oncoming traffic. It must be completed as quickly and safely as possible.

People who impede overtaking by accelerating when a car is alongside them are very, very reckless indeed - the longer the overtaking car is out there on the wrong side of the road, the more dangerous the situation becomes.

Literally can't believe you had to spell that out to someone...

Trying to overtake in a really low powered car makes you a lot more aware of what you can and can't do, and i found it really taught me to look ahead and anticipate things. Then when i moved up to a more powerful car, i still had the skill of looking ahead miles, but could overtake a lot quicker - which made everything a lot safer.

I think what a lot of people fail to realise, when they overtake people, is that you need to consider the car on the other side of the road's speed and how quickly it is coming towards you.... Then you'll find that nice long straight road that you overtake on, suddenly becomes a lot shorter in terms of safe overtaking.

Scania · 21 Mar 2008 at 04:06

housemaster said:
420 horses is a good solution, it tends to minimize the issue

Depends entirely what the 420 horses is pulling tbh...

I'm sick of people putting their foot down as I dared to try to pass them in my 420 BHP motor......

I think they get some sort of inferiority complex when they realize they are being passed by something with a speed limiter!

Crowze · 21 Mar 2008 at 07:42

On the other side of things, I've never needed more than 75hp for overtaking... granted it only has 240kg to pull

.

I don't often have any issue with being overtaken, even on the bike. What does annoy me are the ones who think the gap between myself and the vehicle in front is purpose-built for their overtaking needs, regardless of what it does to my stopping distance when they pull out right in front of me.

SoliD · 21 Mar 2008 at 07:50

Tom|Nbk said:
I find 100 horsies just about allows for a good enough overtake but only if you drop the cogs and get your foot down

Can sypathise with those at 70BHP as 100BHP only just cuts it IMO. Would be ever so nice to not have to drop a gear and just floor it instead

I used to think 100hp was ok for overtakes, but you really needed to know it was clear, thats the thing with my 220 is that I know I can make so many more overtakes so much more safely. It really is nice having some power to get past quickly and safely, and I'm not really a great fan of overtaking on country roads. Always feel unsafe on the wrong side of the road.

InvaderGIR · 21 Mar 2008 at 09:12

Phate said:
This was proven at the RR ^^^

When at an RR, all we are doing is...making progress...to the pub (be it on the way from PS to the pub, or taking someone out in a car for a passenger ride).

I was quite disturbed at the RR actually...my 205 kept up with everyone else (just about).

Slow overtakers and flashers of lights are really annoying. I'll only flash if someone thinks I have no bonnet, and pulls in inches from my bumper, see no point else.

InvG

InvaderGIR · 21 Mar 2008 at 09:25

[TW]Fox;11339737 said:
I had it once, probably the scariest situation I've ever been in as a driver. I pulled out to overtake a Mondeo travelling at 40mph in a 60mph zone. As I accelerated past him, he accelerated to match my speed. I tried to drop back but the gap had already been closed by the muppet following behind. My only choice was to outrun him (Which in a 1.9TD powered car isn't exactly super easy).

I made it with feet to spare before the oncoming bend. Luckily nothing was coming the other day but it was bloody scarey I had to pull over for a break. It probably wouldnt be a problem now becuase generally speaking in the 530 I'm past people before they've even realised, but it's still an issue.

What did he hope to acheive? Why did he do it? I doubt we'll ever know.

I had a very similar experience, I don't know if you know the road between Launceston and Tavistock via Greystone bridge...anyhooo someone in a van was doing about 45mph, and I'd followed him for ages, when we get to a nice big straight I decided to overtake (in my 1.1 Ren5) the bloke in the van then decided to match my speed, which was all well and good until a lorry came round the corner at the end of the road. I narrowly missed both lorry and van thanks the to pleb in the van...who then backed off after matching my speed. :confused:

If someone is overtaking...let them is my view, not like it's going to harm you.

InvG

[TR]SweetSpotOz · 21 Mar 2008 at 09:35